Web Sites of the Month: It's Party Time

by Kinley Levack Successful Meetings
October 1, 2005
The 411
www.party411.com

Clicking through the pages of Party411 provides hundreds of different themes and ideas. For example, the "60s/70s Flashback: Retro Meets Disco" theme includes an overview of the idea, as well as extensive details on invitations, welcoming guests, decorations, props, centerpiece and table decorations, the menu, activities, and favors. Some guides are more developed than others and the site includes ideas submitted by visitors. Other resources include a decorations checklist, guest-list planner, budget planner, drink calculator, and general party-planning checklist. Products can be purchased directly from the site, and Party411 also offers icebreaker ideas, etiquette advice, information on ordering life-size cutouts, and other unique details.

Get Orient-ed
www.orientaltrading.com

If you have any inkling of what theme you would like to use for an event, check out Oriental Trading Company Inc.'s site for all of the details. Everything from tiaras to balloons to playing cards can be purchased in bulk from this purveyor of anything and everything party-related. The site includes an "Idea Starters" section that can serve as a source of inspiration for the creatively blocked and also offers customization of many items. The company, which has been in business since 1932, is big on customer service and prides itself on quick delivery and easy return policies.

Plum Crazy
www.plumparty.com

PlumParty.com, an information and shopping site, is divided into themes so you can shop in one place for your Luau, Clambake/Lobster Boil, Jungle Safari, Poker Party, or other theme. But it's worth the time to poke around and explore other themes as well, because many items would work well with a number of different themes. Numerous products are substantial enough for reuse, but inexpensive enough to be considered disposable. A "Tips and Ideas" archive provides further inspiration, as does a list of creative gift ideas. Should you be so inclined, PlumParty also has a corporate promotions and events division that can be enlisted for additional assistance.