Want to know how to throw a successful birthday party for adults? We can help.

Whether you’re throwing a birthday party for your wife, or husband, or your best friend, there’s good news: a little creativity can go a long way. And creativity is important. Who wants to throw a bland, forgettable party? Hopefully, not you.

Yup, nothing says “Happy Birthday” quite like a fabulous night with family and friends. Oh, and of course plenty of food, drinks and entertainment. So here are a few tips to help make your birthday party a success.

- Spend time on choosing a theme that reflects the guest of honour. What does he or she like? Movies? Another era? Egyptology? (What can I say, my friends are just weird). Choose something that reflects them. Then look to pull your theme and the colours you choose through everything you do, from the email/mailed invitations right to the food and room decorations.

-Don’t feel you need to go all out on decorations.  Minimal decorations strategically placed set the tone and are less of a tripping hazard for older and younger guests.

- Choose entertainment that works for a range of ages (5 – 65). For example, hire a magician who has a 20 minute stage show and will then spend the rest of his time roaming through the room and entertaining pockets of guests.

- Hire a caricaturist to theme everyone’s pictures to match the event; book for the
duration of the party as he or she will be busy ALL night!

- Hire two different types of roaming entertainers for the adults and kids. Entertainment for the grownups could include contortionists, musicians, murder mystery performers, leaders of improv games, etc.

-Kid-friendly ideas for roaming entertainment include: performers on stilts, clowns, theater roaming shows, balloon artists, arts and crafts stations.

- Stations in general work really well for parties of all kinds. Consider them for food, activities and all types of games, whether or adult or kid friendly (craft area, bouncy castle area, petting zoo, carnival games, sports, etc.).

- Body art painting (face painting, tattoos) and glow sticks are always a great hit with the kids.  

- Hire a professional photographer who can capture the magic moments so you can enjoy the party.

- If you have serving staff and caterers, consider costuming them with colours and fun props.

- Bring in a DJ who works for your guests and your guest of honour. If there are kids, make sure the music is appropriate. The Limbo and YMCA are great songs to get everyone up and then you can eventually migrate into other types of music appropriate for the event.

- Ensure you have kid friendly food available – but don’t kid down your adult food. Make sure your adult guests have great food. When it comes to kids, minimize unlimited candy and serve dessert earlier rather than later in the evening.

- Delegate someone (nanny, babysitter) to watch over the children in a play area to allow
parents to enjoy themselves.

- Food should have vegetarian components plus a list of ingredients for those with
allergies. It’s best to not serve food with nuts.

- Serve simple foods that are easy to eat, won’t stain the rugs or be a sticky mess.

- Mocktails are always a hit with the teens and smart to provide to all guests, particularly as the evening winds down.   

Smart choices can make family birthdays fun and memorable.  We only get one a year, so if you’re setting up a loved one’s birthday party, then try some of these suggestions. We guarantee they will make it an extra-special birthday. 

Oh, and don’t forget the cake!

Here’s a fun fact: Father’s Day dates back almost 4,000 years.

The story goes that a Babylonian youth named Elmesu carved the first known Father’s Day card in clay with a special message that wished his dear old dad good health and a long and happy life.

We’re sure his dad appreciated it.

But let’s be honest, ever since that first clay card, a lot of dads have been shortchanged when it comes to their big day. Father’s Day just doesn’t get the recognition that Mother’s Day gets…

Father’s Day, as we know it today, was first originated 100 years ago this month by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. While listening to a Mother’s Day sermon, she decided to establish a celebration for fathers as well. And the tie industry has never looked back…

Dodd’s father, a widower and Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings for 21 years after their mother died.

She encouraged local churches to institute a day of observance for fathers. And because her father was born in June, she chose June 19, 1910 as the celebration day.

But even though it was widely celebrated for decades, Father’s Day wasn’t officially recognized as a national day of observance until 1972.

Like we said, Father’s Day just doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

There are several reasons: Father’s Day is celebrated in the middle of a very busy month. It’s surrounded by graduations, proms, weddings, and the beginning of summer vacation. Mothers are smart for so many reasons, not the least of which, their special day falls in the oh-so-less-cluttered month of May.  
With fathers increasingly involved in family life, observing Father’s Day is becoming more important to many. If you’re looking for something that is not too over the top (and isn’t a tie), how about turning Father’s Day into a special event for dad?  It might require a little more thought, but he’s worth it.  Here are a few suggestions…

- Breakfast in bed: Gooey eggs and burnt toast aren’t just for Mom anymore…

- An awesome toy.  He’s still a big kid, so why not light up his life with a power drill or a putter, or an iPad, or… well, you get the idea.

- A day off.  He may have a “to-do” list – maybe you can do one or two of the “to-do” things on it. Sometimes the best gift is just to help your dad.

- Barbecue accessories for your favorite grill-master.

- A new snazzy shaving kit – shaving is something most dads do every day, so he’ll always think of you.

- Books.  There are millions of them out there.  There’s bound to be one with his name on it.          

- Time together.  For most dads, just spending the day with him is the greatest gift you can give. 

- Make him a handmade card.  He’ll love the personal touch.

- Participate in a Father’s Day Run or in another event in which the proceeds go towards charity, perhaps prostate cancer research.

- Oh, and like moms, most dad’s like clothes and chocolate too!

Whatever you choose, this is a day for you to show your love and appreciation for your father. And that’s the best gift of all.

While they’re not for everyone, a divorce party can turn an unhappy occasion into a positive event. It can be a celebration of a new beginning, a fresh start to the new phase in your life.

A good divorce party should be fun and cathartic; it must be done tastefully and it must come from a healthy and positive place. If it doesn’t, it will make your guests feel uncomfortable. And the only thing worse than a bad party? A bad divorce party. Seriously stinky.

Planning a good divorce party is much harder than in sounds. In fact, not everyone can do it for themselves; many can’t. And that’s where an expert party planner can help. A divorce party gone off the rails can have the exact opposite effect of what you’re looking to achieve. If your emotions might get the better of you, you are infinitely better off hiring someone to plan it for you.

If you are absolutely sure you can do it without weeping, cursing, badmouthing, drinking, or any kind of bitterness, then absolutely, you are the perfect candidate to plan your own divorce party.

Some people put as much planning into the divorce party as they do their wedding. And where the divorce is amicable, some divorcing couples choose to hold joint parties. That’s definitely not for everyone, but fine for some. 

The point is, it’s really about how you handle it. Whatever type of celebration you ultimately choose, if the event is handled with grace and one eye always planted on the goal, it can help launch you and those you love into closure about what otherwise might be a very painful time.

Here are a few of the many things to keep in mind for your divorce party:

- Be realistic about your emotions. A divorce party isn’t for everyone. If it’s something you’d like to do, really think through what you are hoping to get out of it as well as what you want your guests to get out of it before you do anything else.

- Determine if a divorce party is something you can plan for yourself or if you’d like to have it professionally organized. You’re going through a lot of stress. Will the work of a party be a welcome distraction? or would it be better turned over to a trusted professional during this busy time?

- Think of a theme. It’s important to have a sense of what you want your party to say early in the planning. Otherwise, it can be very jarring.

- Plan for games and activities. No one wants to sit around mulling about broken marriages. The party should be about new beginnings.

- Give your guests the opportunity to be thoughtful. You may have a guest book that people can sign, leaving you hopeful messages or a keepsake box with pictures they bring. These may be important to you on tough days and will make them feel like they are doing something constructive and helpful.

- Be careful whom you invite. No kids, please. Your former mother-in-law might also not appreciate an invitation.

- Champagne is a nice touch and completely appropriate. But be careful of alcohol intake. Boozy affairs can sometimes turn into maudlin ones. Make sure to keep things light and serve plenty of food to go with the alcohol.

- Consider having a professional serving staff and bartender to ensure you and your guests are well taken care of. You likely took good care of your guests at your wedding. A beautifully executed party lets everyone know you’re moving on and will be just fine. A bartender can also help you deal with any problem drinkers or anyone whose emotions might lead to over indulgence.   

With about half of marriages ending in divorce (yes, that stat is right), a divorce party isn’t the novelty it once was. It’s becoming the accepted norm and it helps many people regain control over their lives in what feels like an out of control time. Just remember to keep your divorce party less about endings and more about beginnings.

Do it right, and it will launch you into a new and exciting stage in your life. And that’s worth celebrating, don’t you think?

Buckle up everybody – the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is getting closer!

Every year millions of people take in the Stampede and all it has to offer. Hundreds of thousands of people commute around its grounds on a daily basis. That means for the average Calgarian, there is no avoiding the fun and excitement of ‘Stampede Fever.’

But let’s be honest, some people would really RATHER avoid it… After all, not everyone is crazy about the Stampede. Events like ‘Wild Cow Milking’ are fun for some, but not for all.

And getting around in the city can be challenging. The downtown core is clogged and most of its businesses are shut down. So while we all love a good party, ten consecutive days of excessive partying and drinking can take its toll.

But even if you’re not into official Calgary Stampede events, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get the chance to enjoy The Calgary Stampede… Why not have your own Stampede Party?

There are all kinds of fun options: You could arrange a neighbourhood Stampede Block Party complete with your own mini street midway. Or, why not have a Family Stampede backyard barbecue? And let’s not forget all the other fabulous and fun alternatives our great city has to offer.

Here are five Stampede alternatives:

Take in a day at Fish Creek and enjoy a picnic and the breathtaking scenic beauty of one of North America’s largest urban parks. It features on-site day-camping facilities, stables, hiking trails, and a swimmable artificial lake. And Canada’s largest urban park is right in our very own backyard.

The Stampede may have one of the best Animal Shows going, but for a REAL farm experience, you and the family can’t beat Butterfield Acres. Why not make a day of it and visit all the animals.  Keep an eye out for little those cute little piglets – they like to chew on shoelaces.

If you’re looking for animals that are a little more “wild,” there’s the Calgary Zoo, where there’s always something going on. Whether it’s an annual event, a single’s night, a special exhibit or one of its many amazing programs, the Zoo is a great destination for education and entertainment.

Or check out Fort Calgary. And while you’re there, ride the virtual street car, try on a North West Mounted Police uniform, and experience what we hope is a once in a life time opportunity: what life is like from the inside of a jail cell!

And let’s not forget Western Canada’s largest outdoor family amusement park, Calaway Park. The park has all kind of awesome attractions, including 34 rides for thrill- seekers and top-notch live entertainment for all.

Whatever you choose, we know you’ll have fun. Hey, it’s Calgary. We’re a city of adventurers and fun is what we do best.

Companies sometimes wonder if it’s possible to hire bands that have celebrity status for a private, corporate or charitable event. And the answer is: yes, if the price is right. The fee range is huge and, of course, the bigger the name of the band, the higher the cost. Some bands are in the tens of thousands, while others are often hundreds of thousands of dollars — or more.

Charities often want to know if, rather than hire bands, celebrity musicians will do events for free or a reduced rate. Sometimes. But usually only if they are already deeply invested in a cause or a person involved with the event. If a band does agree to play for free, there is a risk. Bands that are getting paid have a much better chance of appearing than those that don’t. They may even have some kind of arrangement with their agent that if a paying opportunity comes up on the same night that there’s a pro bono gig, the paying gig must be accepted.

Let’s say everything is going along perfectly: the bands are available on the date they’re needed and the fees have been agreed upon. Then what? A whole lot of reading. The event planner has to read each contract and every rider that comes with each one – forwards and backwards. She has to understand exactly what she is getting her company or charity into and what it will cost to hire bands for this event.

There are usually additional, sometimes hidden costs, and knowing what those are can be the difference between a responsible event and a financial disaster. Even the flight. There’s a big difference in the cost between an economy airline ticket to Calgary from Vancouver and a private jet from Japan.

In fact, there’s a very good possibility that members of the band will be coming in from a variety of cities and may have to be picked up separately. Some bands will have riders about ground transportation and will require limos or town cars and professional drivers.

Bands often expect per diems, intended to cover certain costs when traveling. Sometimes bands prefer large per diems and pay for all of their expenses out of those. Other times, travel, accommodations, maybe even some meals will be covered, in which case per diems will be smaller.

Bands usually have green room requirements, the first one being that there be a green room. A green room is simply a (usually) private room put aside for bands to gather. It is usually stocked with food, drink and other amenities. The items required are usually listed in a document from the contract, often called a hospitality rider – and that document needs to be reviewed very carefully to ensure there’s nothing in there that will break the bank.

The technical rider is another standard document that accompanies contracts and must be read before any decision to hire bands. It outlines sound, staging, lighting and other similar requirements that the host must provide. Once a deal is signed, the event is obligated to provide the band whatever has been agreed upon in the contract and any riders that accompanied it. That can be anything from table space in the lobby for one star ‘s  favourite charity to metal detectors and inspection of venues by police K9 unit for another.

How seriously do bands take the riders? Very. The standard performance contract used by Van Halen famously had a line item for M&M’s with all the brown candies removed. Brown M&M’s were cause to cancel the show but still be fully paid for the gig. The band claims to have snuck that article in the technical rider to see how closely local crews were reading the contract and riders. If brown M&M’s were present, they felt they had a good indication that there would be problems ahead with the show.

Of course, most events can’t afford to hire bands from the A-list. The good news is, a myriad of options are available at almost any price point. If the boss has his heart set on the rolling stones, however, start saving now. They come in at several million dollars.