How well do you know balloon weights?

You’re planning the perfect party…the menu is perfect, the decorations are beautiful but something is going on with your balloons!  They are tipping over every time somebody walks by…ugh!  Did you know that there are different size balloon weights?  The balloon type, size and amount will determine the balloon weight size you will need.  I’ve put together a little chart to help you out…

• 9″, 11″ & 12″ Latex Balloon or 18″ Foil Balloon – 8 Gram Balloon Weight
• 16″ Latex Balloon – 15 Gram Balloon Weight
• 22″ Bubble or Square Foil Balloon – 35 Gram Balloon Weight
• 32″, 36″, 40″ Foil or Shaped Balloon – 65 Gram Balloon Weight
• Small Balloon Cluster (3-4 Balloons) – 65 Gram Balloon Weight
• Large Balloon Cluster (7-9 Balloons) – 100 Gram Balloon Weight

Balloon weights may or may not be identified with the grams by stores.  Instead they may be identified as regular, heavy, etc.  Here is a cheat sheet to help you determine the right size balloon weight.

• Regular Weight – 8-10 Grams
• Heavy Weight – 15-17 Grams
• Extra Heavy Weight – 30-35 Grams
• Compact Jumbo Weight – 100-110 Grams
• Jumbo Weight – 130-135 Grams

Hopefully this provided you with a little more insight on anchoring down your balloons.

 

Happy Party Planning!
~Kiki

Holiday Tip Giving Guide

The holidays are the perfect opportunity to let those who have served you well during the year know that you appreciate them and their service.  Here is a guideline on what and how much to tip your:

• Babysitter – Two (2) evenings’ pay PLUS a small gift from the child(ren)
• Barber – One (1) cut PLUS a small gift
• Beauty Salon Staff – $10 to $60 each
• Day Care Providers – $25 to $70 each PLUS a small gift from the child(ren)
• Dog Walker – One (1) days’ pay
• House Cleaner – One (1) days’ pay PLUS a small gift
• Lawn Maintenance Workers – $20 to $50 each
• Newspaper Carrier – $10 to $30
• Nursing Home Workers – A small gift PLUS fruit/food basket (no cash)
• Personal Trainer – One (1) session fee
• Pool Cleaner – One (1) cleaning cost
• Private Nurse – Gift (no cash)
• Trash Collectors – $10 to $20 each

Thank you notes and cards are also a good way to show your appreciate to those who serve you.  Happy Holidays!

Last Minute Holiday Etiquette Tips

The holidays are near and it’s time to prepare ourselves for the “craziness”.  Here are some last minutes tips and things to remember…

• When a guest brings an unexpected dish, thank them and add it to your spread.  It’s the holidays, don’t be mean! Now is not the time to tell your aunt that nobody likes her homemade fruit cake.  Add it to the spread and carry on.
• Re-gifting Rule #1 – Be sure the gift is something the recipient would love. You would not re-gift a bottle of wine and give it to someone who doesn’t drink, right? Make sure the gift “fits” the recipient.
• Re-gifting Rule #2 – The item must be brand new and int its original package.  Do not re-gift an item that you used once or twice.  Can you say tacky & cheap!?
• Re-gifting Rule #3 – The gift should be generic.  You don’t want to re-gift something the original giver had personalized just for you/your family.
• If you make a mess, tell the host immediately and help clean it up. This goes for your children as well. If your child makes a mess inform the host and help clean it up.
• If you are scaling back on your gift-giving this year, let others know.  This can be done in general conversation.  It’s nice to give the previous gifts’ receiver a heads up so they know to purchase/not purchase a gift for you.
• If you receive a holiday card from someone you did not send one to, reciprocation is optional. You do not have to rush to send one back to that person.  You can send a thank you note at a later date if you wish.
• When you receive a bad gift simply smile, say something positive and extend a thank you.  You can return it later.  Unless it’s homemade or personalized…then you’re stuck with it!
• Don’t invite people who causes drama to your holiday gathering.  This is self-explanatory.  No drama for the holidays.  Let’s keep the holidays merry and joyous.

Share these tips with others so we can all have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Pancha Mukha Ganapati, etc.

How To Set A Proper Dinner Table

Greetings! In keeping with the holiday preparations I decided to show you all the proper way to set a dinner table.  Of course you can remove/not include items as needed.

Basic rules to remember: you are not just setting a table you are setting the mood! 

Center the dinner plate in front of the chair.

Your primary drinking glass will be to the upper right of the plate (as shown).  Formal dinner parties will normally have three glasses.  A white wine glass, a red wine glass and a water glass.  The white wine glass would be closest to your plate, followed by the red wine glass with the water glass being the farthest.  If serving coffee/tea the cup and saucer will sit to the right of the red wine glass.

Your napkin should be placed in the center of the plate.  You can also place the napkin to the left of your forks.

Add a bread plate with knife to the upper left corner of the dinner plate.

Place two to three forks to the left of the plate.  One is used for salad, the other is used for dinner/meal and the third is for fish. The dessert fork goes above the dinner plate (as shown).

Place the dinner knife to the right of the plate.  A butter knife will follow.

Spoons will be to the right of the knives.  If you are using teaspoons for dinner these will be placed between the butter knife and the soup spoon.  The soup spoon should be the farthest from your plate.  If you are using a dessert spoon this will be placed above the dessert fork (as shown).

Easy peasy!

I hope this helps in getting yourself and home prepared for the holidays.  Until next time…be blessed!

How To Be A Good Dinner Guest!

You have received your invitation to dinner and you have graciously accepted.  Now what…make sure you are the perfect guest.  Below are a few tips to help you get invited back:

RoyalTip #1 – Don’t overindulge. Your host/ess worked hard on planning every detail which includes how much food to have per guest.  Please don’t be a pig! It’s okay to go back for seconds once the host/ess announces it.  Be considerate.

RoyalTip #2 – Participate. It is not uncommon for the host/ess to have activities planned before, during or after dinner.  These activities can range from viewing family photos to planning games.  You accept the invite so accept the activities as well.

RoyalTip #3 – Be on time. Do you really need an explanation?

RoyalTip #4 – Offer to help. Yes, you were invited but there is no harm in offering to help with anything the host/ess may need help with.

RoyalTip #5 – Thank the host/ess.  Thank the host/ess before you leave but also the next day.  Give them a call or send a thank you note showing your appreciation.

I hope these tips help you get invited back for another dinner.  Happy dining! Until next time…be blessed.

Early Bird Preparations for Holiday Guests

As October comes to an end it’s time to start thinking and preparing for November and the holidays.  Some of you are fortunate enough to always be “the guest” during the holidays but some of us are always “the host”.  Accept your position and play it well.  So to my fellow host/tess…let’s get an early start on preparing our homes for the holidays!

RoyalTip #1 – Scan For Stains.  Your home is used on a daily basis so it’s natural for stains and dirt to appear on your furniture and floors.  Take some time early to tackle those stains or hire a professional.

RoyalTip #2 – Purchase Fall Decor. The stores are already filling isles with Christmas decor so purchase your fall decorations before Halloween is over.  You are more likely to find what you want and need before they pack all fall items away until next year.

RoyalTip #3 – Nourish Your Plants. Your houseplants will benefit from a does of plant food and will flourish just in time for guests!

RoyalTip #4 – Spice Up Your Spice Rack. You should have an idea of what you are preparing for your guests so take this time to prepare your spice rack for your busy cooking schedule.  Also take the time to get rid of old and expired spices.

RoyalTip #5 – Clean Up. Your house grows every time it needs to be cleaned, right?  I know I’m not the only one that this happens too, lol.  It takes time to give your house a good cleaning.  Plan accordingly or hire a professional.

These are just a few tips to get you started on your holiday preparations.  Be sure to follow the blog for more tips on holiday preparations and more! Until next time…be blessed.