America Idolizes “The Voice” According to Shindigz National Poll

April 14, 2013 — Shindigz

Image courtesy of the Voice Facebook page

Image courtesy of the Voice Facebook page

Since the early days of television, with shows like The Original Amateur Hour which migrated from radio to TV in 1948, Americans have loved watching amateur musical talent from the comfort of home. But it was over fifty years later before the genera became a hit.   American Idol debuted during the summer of 2002 and gave television audiences the first opportunity to vote for their favorite artists each week.

American Idol kicked off a national craze that inspired many local communities to host their own vocal competition parties. There has been a growth in populaity of music themed decorations each year since Idol debuted.

Over the past decade, several shows have challenged American Idol’s dominance, including America’s Got Talent, X Factor, and now The Voice.  Television producers never disclose exactly how many total votes their shows receive, but millions of viewers are believed to participate each week.  Recently, TV ratings have given The Voice a slight edge in total viewership to take the show to the top.

Shindigz, a leading seller of party supplies, conducted a nationwide online poll to see if American Idol has lost its luster and the results were conclusive.  The Voice captured 62.5 % of the votes, compared to 17.5% for American Idol when voters were asked, “What’s your favorite music reality show?”  The remaining votes were divided between America’s Got Talent and X-Factor, which are both on hiatus this season.

Posted in High School Musical Party, Hip Hop Party, Neighborhood Parties, Party Ideas, Reasons to Celebrate, Theme Party. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

Trendy for 2013 Graduations – Giant Greeting Cards

April 2, 2013 — Shindigz

Here are graduation greeting cards that recipients are sure to show off: giant cards you can customize, personalize, and use to surprise!

Giant greeting cards come in 18”, 24” and 36” and envelopes are available, too. Select from 15 designs — but that’s just where customization begins. You will also be choosing colors, uploading one or more photos (depending on design) and composing text for the front as well as the content of the message inside.

One way or another, 2013 giant grad cards are sure to become keepsakes and there are several ways to use them.

Note of congratulations. Pass around a card with a “You did it” or “Congrats” type message to as many of the extended family to sign as possible before you give it to the grad.

Graduation announcements. Imagine delivering glad grad tidings to grandparents and other individuals who’ve played formative roles in the life of your new graduate.

Part of the party. Place a giant card on an entrance or gift table at a graduation party as an informal guest book for grad party-goers to sign.

For any of the above ideas, you also could attach additional photos and captions scrapbook-style to the inside pages of the card to further personalize it.

Now, let’s say that you have an interest in coordinating one or more giant grad greeting cards with your graduation party décor. In that case, start by selecting your party colors first. If the scheme will be the graduate’s school colors or favorite colors, shopping for party supplies by color is a good strategy.

If you’re looking to put on a theme party, shop by theme to check out the colors used in the props and decorations you like.

Luau is one of the most popular grad party themes, so we’ll use it as an example. You’ll notice that luau decorations tend to be pink, red, yellow, green and blue in some combination of two or more of these colors. Once you’ve decided upon the one or two dominant colors for your luau, you can use them in the background and text of your card decoration.

Place your luau grad card on an easel at the entrance of the party, or use it as a centerpiece. Drape a coordinating silk lei jauntily over the front corner to finish.

In addition to graduations, we make giant greeting cards for birthdays and holidays, too. Customize a giant card as a surprise element for your next event.

Posted in Decorating TipZ, Graduation Favors, Graduation Party, Luau Party, Personalized Favors, Photo Ideas, Theme Party. Tags: , , . Leave a Comment »

Shindigz Top 6 “We Want to Party With” List

February 20, 2013 — Shindigz

Forget Snoop Dogg, the Kardashians, and Lindsey Lohan. Let’s be a little more creative. Here’s a trendy list of celebrities that know how to party!

Battery Activated LED Accent Light
Number 6. Dana Perino. Co-host of Fox News “The Five”

Dana is a great start to any party. Intelligent, well versed and willing to dive into any conversation. She is engaging, charming and quick with self deprecating wit. She would make everyone feel at home at any party. Reminds us of January Jones in Mad Men but happy.

Number 5. Jim Cantore. The Weather Channel.

Can anyone say Hurricane Party?  This guy is prepared to party on a moment’s notice, looks great in a windbreaker and knows more weather trivia than anyone. His casual but quiet intensity brings calm in any storm. Who wouldn’t want to head out into 100mph  winds and hoist a drink with this party pro?

Number 4. Carl Quintanilla. CNBC Squawk Box.

Even if the market is crashing, Carl would be the guy to be with next to the bar to talk it through. A guy’s guy and a hottie for the ladies, he is smart, witty and knows business. He is quick with a joke and one liner but also makes everyone around him feel better about themselves. With Carl, it isn’t about him, it’s about everyone else around him having a good time. A great person to have crash our party.

Watch the stars and celebrities party just like the paparazzi with this large decoration.

Watch the stars and celebrities party just like the paparazzi with this large decoration.

Number 3. Robin Roberts. Good Morning America.

Classy, funny and an inspiration to all. Who wouldn’t want to sit around the table and share stories with Robin? She knows it all about sports and brings a smile that lights up any celebration. She would spend the night meeting every person and making all the guests feel like they were the most special person in the room. The nametag is ready for Robin.

Number 2. Tie. Arianna Huffington. The Huffington Post. And David Gregory. NBC’s Meet The Press. 

Okay, an odd pairing right? Well, that’s what make for a great party. Arianna brings an exotic flair combined with a grace and nobility that will class up any event. She would be great at the gala ball or an intimate dinner. But, we bet she could throwdown at a hoe down as well.  Smart and tough, this is a lady we want to party with.

David Gregory brings an urbane wit, height that towers over everyone and a willingness to laugh at himself. We like him for his direct approach, his ability to make guests feel at home and his family values. We think he would be great at a kids birthday party or at a game time party with wings. A very versatile party performer.

Number 1.  Anderson Cooper. Anderson Cooper 360. CNN.

Think this guy knows his way around a party? Oh yeah! Whether he is in Beirut or Boston, Istanbul or Indy, Anderson is the guy who will be the life of any party. He is wickedly funny, doesn’t take himself too seriously and man, does he have some stories to tell. He is willing to try just about anything and we know that when the late night fun starts, Anderson will be leading the charge. He will stir up the party troops and keep them going all night long. Smooth, stylish and oh so cool. Get the martini bar, ready.

Did we miss anyone?

Posted in City Theme Party, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Party TipZ, Reasons to Celebrate, Star Party, Theme Party. Tags: , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Sound and Motion Mesmerize Holiday Party Guests

November 26, 2012 — Shindigz

The holidays are a great time for charitable organizations to raise money for a good cause and help out those in need. Whether you’re raising funds to help those less fortunate, battling medical conditions, or you just want to bring a little extra holiday spirit to a local nursing home, this year, rather than the traditional – ask em’ to open up their pocketbook theme – host an evening that will be sure to entertain and let your giving guests have a little unique fun while supporting your mission.

After you set a date for your event and book the necessary vendors and venues to host your evening, get the word out. Charitable organizations often reap benefits in making their vision a reality. There are a lot of opportunities to advertise for free or reduced costs. Have a member of your committee send out a Public Service Announcement (PSA) – radio and news stations will often advertise for non-profit organizations freely, even if only on their Web site. Press Releases are another option for spreading the word without incurring a cost.

Gangster Fundraising Gala

Host a Gangster Fundraising Gala

Invite all of the townspeople to your Gangster Gala for a night of dance till you drop fun. Recreate the iconic 1920’s and 30’s era adorned with the knee-high bedazzled dresses, long, string bead necklaces, feather boas, top hats, pinstriped suits, and long cigars in a fingertip holder. Inform your guests to come dressed in their best gangster get-up. To make the night come true, decorate your dance hall with a Gangster Gala themed backdrop distinct with a roaring 20’s building, hotel, jazz building, police and gangster cars, and street-side lamppost. Your guests will dance the night away. And to make it a little fun, add a twist with a non-stop dance until you can’t dance anymore theme. The last dancing gangster mob couple standing will win.

Host a night of romance under the stars

The After After Prom
Give a teen in need, who might not otherwise get to experience the essential high school Prom event, a donated prom dress, and a chance to experience their once-in-a-lifetime event. At the same time, couples can share in the sentimental nostalgia of your high school days all over again. Invite couples to share in your adult themed After Prom. Adults can purchase a formal dress (or re-purpose a formal dress – a bridesmaid dress they wore in their friend’s wedding, their old prom dress, etc – wear it for an evening In the Depths Forever. Decorate your venue with a romantic aquatic theme furnished with the beauty of coral reef, dolphins, a ship, a school of fish and more. Dress up your dance floor with a beautiful Bermuda blue gossamer, fish netting, and white tulle. At the end of the magic-making evening, the dresses can be donated to local high school students in need. Make it an annual event. It’s a great way for couples to rekindle the flame and pass good spirit forward.

Dinner and All That Jazz

Host a dinner and dance for couples in love and support a good cause at the same time.

Host an evening for couples to enjoy a dinner and dance. Rent a fun, upbeat and modern venue to host a night for couples to share in an evening of romance. Most venues have catering available and can offer a menu tailored to your choice. The nice thing about that is they will also offer full service – including, silverware, plates, linens, and catering staff. Hire a jazz ensemble to join you for the evening to play soft, classic music throughout the evening. Decorate your venue with an All That Jazz décor. Line your tables and chairs with feather boas. Place candles around the room and create a dimly lit, candlelight ambiance. Make it a formal event and couples everywhere will join you in a night to remember. Couples will share in their love for one another and share in supporting your cause at the same time.

Posted in Adult Party, After-Prom Party, Costume Party, Holiday Party, Party Planning, Theme Party. Tags: . Leave a Comment »

It’s Cuba Night! Host a Havana Party

November 19, 2012 — Shindigz

Shake out the winter blahs with a hot Havana party that’s full of tropical warmth and Cuba’s unique Caribbean flair.

Havana Party Settings
Consider a Havana theme for cigar parties, winter fundraisers and New Years’ celebrations. Lots of color and music with distinctively Cuban rhythms are key.

In warmer climates, apply your Havana theme for a party around the pool or at the marina with nautical party supplies and palm tree décor. Colder locales can shut out the snow and cold by bringing the party indoors and re-creating the Tropicana.

What About the Tropicana?
In the era of lavish hotels and casinos (1930s-1950s) the Tropicana was the center of the nightclub universe.

The Tropicana originally consisted of a casino, an indoor dining room and stage and an outdoor dining room and stage. It is the outdoor venue, set among the royal palms, beset with voluptuous, scantily clad showgirls, that is pictured when imagining Havana’s exotic nightlife.

The legendary Tropicana is still in Havana – minus the casino – and the outdoor stage is a lovely setting to re-create, even for indoor events.

Start with the Palm Horizon backdrop silhouette, with its amazing 8-foot by 32-foot dimensions, to suggest the outdoor venue, and the Havana Nightclub Bandstand, shown above right, as your showstopper piece.

Take your cue from the bandstand piece for your color palette. You’ll be able to find bright pinks, greens and yellows in solid color tableware, for example, that you can mix-and-match to your heart’s delight. Place these bright pieces against midnight blue or deep purple table covers and skirts, and tropical luau centerpieces.

Back a stage/DJ area with colorful metallic fringe curtains, and finish decorating with strategic placement of free-standing palm tree décor and theme mylar balloons in palm tree, parrot and flamingo shapes.

Havana Food & Drink
Cuban culture took the hamburger and transformed it into a frita. We recommend you find a recipe for fritas, such as this one from Three Guys in Miami, and grill them small as sliders in keeping with one of the popular trends in party food.

Along with your fritas, Cuba libres would put a fun, Caribbean twist on the burger-and-cola tradition. Build a Cuba libre in a tall glass with a squeeze or two of lime, a few ice cubes, 2 ounces of your favorite rum (we prefer a dark, molasses-y rum for this) and enough cola to finish filling the glass.

Posted in Adult Party, Charity Fundraising, Luau Party, Nautical Party, New Year's Party, Party Recipes, Theme Party, Winter Party. Tags: , , , , , . Leave a Comment »
« Older posts
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 21,929 other followers

%d bloggers like this: