Category "Party Favors"

Halloween Monster & Zombie Spray

Queen Darlene - October 23, 2014 - $20 or Less, Kids, Party Favors

Older kids love dressing up in scary Halloween costumes like monsters or the latest craze – zombies! But the little ones often hate scary costumes and anything to do with monsters.

I have a fun gift idea that will help younger children get rid of any scary monsters and zombies. Monster & Zombie Spray! It’s like bug spray that gets rid of bugs but this special formula gets rid of monsters and zombies instead! It also smells good and doesn’t harm the skin.

I know, Halloween is not a typical gift giving holiday. I mean purchasing the kids’ costumes and candy is a gift in itself, right?! But… this gift is just too fun not to give!

HOW TO MAKE MONSTER & ZOMBIE SPRAY

What NOT To Do – Easter Birthday Party Gift Favor

Queen Darlene - April 17, 2014 - Kids, Party Favors

My brother-in-law Kyle is 20 years younger than my husband Randy. Kyle was a late-in-life baby and born before Randy and I got married. When Randy found out he excitedly asked his best friend Curtis, “Guess whose pregnant?” Curtis thought Randy was talking about me and when Randy realized this he said, “Oh no…it’s not Darlene. It’s my Mom!”

Darlene & brothers holding live baby Easter chicks in 1960.

At the time we had been dating for almost four years when I asked Randy, “What did you expect him to think?” We have laughed many times over it. With all of that said, Kyle became my “practice kid.” I helped with the fun part of raising a child, the parties, games, gifts and party favors – the gift you give away to your guests when they leave your birthday party.

Free Puppies with Puppy Chow

Queen Darlene - February 27, 2014 - Birthday, Family, Food & Drinks, Get Well, Kids, Party Favors, Thank You

For my father-in-law’s 85th birthday, we threw him a surprise celebration and made sure to include something he could share with the other residents at his retirement home when they stopped by to wish him a “Happy Birthday!” So we had Gramps give away “free puppies” with baggies full of puppy chow.

Of course, they were not real puppies and the puppy chow was a snack for his friends. I filled a large basket with various small Stuffed Puppies
and created a sign that said, “Free Puppies.”

Everyone was thrilled to look in the basket and choose a “puppy” to take home. The puppy chow made a wonderful party favor and the experience resulted in a fun way to celebrate someone’s birthday.

This birthday happened several years ago before my blogging days so I don’t have a picture for you but I’m sure you have a pretty good idea.

I have since replicated the puppy chow idea many times for all kinds of occasions. The latest one was for a United Way auction at my office. This time, I paired a stuffed dog with a dog bowl full of puppy chow.

Funny Glasses

Queen Darlene - February 20, 2014 - Family, Kids, Party Favors

Since my mother passed away, my brother and I have been going through her many boxes of letters. She kept everything. I found a Christmas letter dated some 30 years ago from my great Uncle Champeau in Florida to my mom. The letter outlined family historical information so I decided to mail it to my cousins, Uncle Champeau’s daughters.

I also decided to send a “just because” package along with the letter. I sent chocolate covered pecans, a cute note pad, and some Funny Glasses. I placed a sticky note on the funny glasses that said, “Try them on and strike a pose!”

Never in my wildest dream did I know what was going to happen next. When Judy, Denise and Margie received the care package, they put the glasses on and did what I told them – they struck a pose! Continue Reading

Homemade Roasted Pecans | Edible Gifts

Princess Diana - December 23, 2013 - Business, Christmas, Family, Food & Drinks, Host, Party Favors, Thank You

I love it when it’s pecan pickin’ time and this year is one of them! Right in the middle of my front yard is a pecan tree, and I’ve collected close to 100 pounds of pecans. I feel so proud – like a farmer who’s had a bountiful harvest. Except I didn’t have to sweat or toil or wear overalls or really do any work at all to make it grow and produce.

But I do have to put in some labor of love when it comes to collecting them, shelling them, and roasting them in the oven. But I enjoy that whole process because at the end I have pounds and pounds of roasted pecans to give as edible gifts!

Jesus Candy Cane Poem | Great Gift for the Elderly

Queen Darlene - December 18, 2013 - Christmas, Experiences, Family, Party Favors

Several years ago, my brother-in-law’s mother was living in an assisted living center. It was during the Christmas holidays that I stopped by for a visit. I brought with me a basket full of Red & White Peppermint Candy Canes.

Attached to each one was the Jesus Candy Cane Poem. Orean, who was in her 90s, read the poem and said she thought she had heard every Christmas story told but this was a new one. See… you’re never too old to learn something new!

She asked me, “Why so many?” I told her they were to share with all of her friends at the assisted living center. Her eyes opened wide and a smile came across her face. She immediately started handing out the candy canes to the residents and staff who passed by her door.

“Merry Christmas!” Orean would say to each person, hand them a candy cane, and instruct them to read the poem. For someone who read her Bible every day, it made Orean light up with joy to share a Christmas treat and the Lord’s message with all of her friends and neighbors.