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They say your wedding day is the best day of your life, and so it should be. Whatever size your wedding, big or small, chances are there are a number of people who made the whole day possible. Express your gratitude with wedding thank you cards, and consider different cards for these five different people, and the individual roles they played.

Guests

It goes without saying to send thank you cards to your guests. You may incorporate a different message for each, to add a personal touch. Some things to consider thanking them for include travelling to the wedding (especially if they live far away!), gift giving, support they’ve given you throughout your lives and simply, of course, their attendance. Not only a heartwarming gesture, but a wonderful reminder of your day that they can keep forever.

Bridal party and best man

Those people who were given special roles in your wedding deserve an extra special thank you. This is your chance to show how much you appreciate all they have done for you. Not only their input leading up to the big day, but also their friendship over the years. Bridesmaids, flower girls and best men will compromise your best friends or siblings, and your appreciation of these special relationships will mean so much to them.

Parents

It is common for parents to have a huge part in making your big day special. They are also the people for whom the day means the most to, other than the happy couple themselves. Whether they contributed to the day financially, emotionally or physically, this is your chance to put your thanks in words. Parents will collect a number of keepsakes from the day, and their thank you card will be an item they treasure forever.

Wedding planner

If you used a wedding planner, you may like to offer them a thank you card all of their own. Not only will they have ensured you stayed on track with your planning and budgeting, but they will have worked tirelessly throughout the big day. Their planning skills will have meant the smooth running of your wedding, leaving you stress-free and able to truly enjoy every magical moment.

Suppliers and services

Behind the scenes, many people made your day the day it was. Some people you may want to send a thank you card to are the suppliers and services you used. Caterers, cake maker, tailors and seamstresses, photographer, and hair and makeup artists will be touched to receive a card from the married couple. Your wording in these cards can be used for reviews and testimonials, helping them secure further business, so they will be as grateful to you as you are to them.

With so many people to thank, you will need quality cards at great value. Custom wedding thank you cards will add an extra special touch, as well as making them a perfect keepsake for the recipients. Keep hold of this article to you make sure you don’t forget anybody!

Halloween is just around the corner and given that it’s the one event where masks are expected, it might be the surprising hit of 2020.

Trick or Treating is a lot of fun for kids, so why not make it fun for the supervising adults? If you are a truly enthusiastic adult who really wants to get into the spirit, here are some great ideas for Halloween costumes that can complement your kid’s fancy dress theme.

Star Wars costumes

Star Wars costumes are a great way to share the fun with your kids. Not only does the love for Star Wars span multiple generations, but there are also a number of angles you can take. If you have an infant or toddler then they can be easily included with a Yoda costume. Get a baby Bjorn on your back and a dirty looking t-shirt to be well on your way to creating a simple, cheap, and adorable ‘Luke and Yoda on Dagobah costume’. Like the idea but are an overachiever? Impress all your neighbours with a ‘Mandalorian and Baby Yoda’ combination. For bigger kids, a Chewbacca costume will work with Rey, Leia, or Han costumes for the kids and maintain the height difference you’d expect with a Wookie.

Superhero costumes

Superheroes are also a fertile ground for costume ideas. The most obvious costume choice for a parent and child is Batman and Robin, however, Joker and Harley Quinn might be fun or for a mother and daughter combo, you could go with Wonder Woman and Batgirl. Superman and Supergirl, Green Lantern Corps, Superboy – there are limitless angles with DC. Mums with Marvel obsessed boys can easily complement Iron Man, Thor, or Captain America with a stylish Black Widow costume. For those families that really want to commit to a theme, The Incredibles would be a fantastic option but most kids would take a lot of convincing to make that happen.

Other Halloween costume ideas

The possibilities really are endless. From classics like Barbie and Skipper to more contemporary themes like Maui and Moana, or a Hogwarts teacher and Harry or Hermione. The perfect costume to complement what your child loves is only a little thought and effort away.

Be your kid’s sidekick

No doubt your mind is now buzzing with Halloween costume ideas, but make sure you keep focused on the fact that you need to compliment your child’s costume; they’re not an accessory in yours. Your children will appreciate you having fun and sharing their enthusiasm, however, they won’t appreciate being told what they need to dress up as. We all want to dress our kids as some kind of Yoda, but it’s best to let them lead. If you dress as an accessory to their costume, they’ll have the most fun possible and you’ll get a memory you will never forget.

Halloween is the most fun for kids, but that doesn’t mean adults can’t share the festivities. No matter if your kids like Star Wars, Superheros, Barbies or something else entirely, there is a costume idea that will allow you to perfectly compliment their costume. Just remember to let them lead and make sure you all have fun and stay safe this Halloween.

For some party-goers, designing their own fancy dress is all part of the fun. Whether you’re dreaming up a DIY Star Wars costume that’s going to have the wow factor or deciding on Christmas costumes that showcase the season, a homemade outfit can work really well. Unfortunately, without proper planning and preparation, a DIY costume can end up more panto than party! To give your fancy dress project the best chance of success, we’ve put together five top tips which can really make a difference.

1. Pick the iconic characteristics of your look

Nothing screams “Star Wars” more than a light sabre, for example. A Santa hat sends out a powerful festive message, whilst a skull and crossbones motif along with a neckerchief defines the traditional pirate look. Picking the iconic parts of a costume ensures instant recognition, creating a successful look even if other parts of the costume are less authentic.

2. The hat matters

Possibly the most important part of a fancy dress outfit, headgear really makes a difference. Most fancy dress costumes inevitably consist of a top and a bottom – it is the hat which adds character and style. Paying attention to your hat, mask or wig is vital if you want to create a look that stands out for the right reasons.

3. Use what you’ve got!

Even a relatively small wardrobe can yield a surprising number of amazing fancy dress items. From the bedsheet ghost, monk or Egyptian mummy through to the zombie school girl (or boy) (old school uniform plus plenty of fake blood), black cat (a black top and bottom with added ears, whiskers and tail) or an angel (white costume with a golden halo and some DIY wings), there are plenty of options that can be created from basic clothing items.

4. Makeup adds economical authenticity

Makeup can dramatically change your appearance, helping to create a fancy dress character for a relatively low cost. Over emphasising the features which define your character is a good way to ensure others know who you are, as well as perfect for creating a striking look. Depending on how ambitious you want to be, it’s possible to alter the contours of the face, add gruesome wounds, create otherworldly appeal, or even add a wart or two (think of Oliver Cromwell, or a witch character)!

5. Don’t rule out hiring a costume

Whilst there are a number of costumes which can work really well as DIY options, creating your own costume does take a fair bit of time. In addition, most people will need to buy a few accessories to carry the look off, all of which adds to the cost. Hiring a costume gives you access to a greater range of costumes, guarantees that you will get a high-quality look and can often work out as a more economical (and less frustrating) option than attempting your own, DIY look.

Get in touch to find out more about the costumes we have available, or for additional tips to create your perfect party fancy dress look.

Almost everybody loves a fancy dress party! No matter what your age might be, or the occasion to be celebrated, fancy dress is a chance for guests to let their hair down and enjoy being someone else for a few hours! A great idea for a family get-together, fancy dress also works well at anything from a kids’ party through to an adult birthday or seasonal celebration. If you’re planning a fancy dress party, take a look at our top tips to make it a success!

1. Consider your venue

Nothing sets the scene for a fancy dress party better than picking a suitable venue. Although it’s possible to customise a room with props, the right location can add plenty of ambience to your party with relatively little effort. An older property, for example, is great for a period fancy dress party; alternatively, why not consider a farm for a scarecrow party or a piece of woodland to stage an elfen event?

2. Themed food and drink can really make a difference

Food and drink is an area where there is room for enormous creativity when it comes to party planning! Most people are familiar with spider biscuits, cobweb cake and witches fingers (often sponge fingers, suitably embellished with food colouring and icing) that are staples at a Halloween bash, but there are plenty of other possibilities. As well as changing the menu to suit the theme, changing the format for serving refreshments can also transform your party. Why not stage a dinner party or hold a picnic, hog roast or BBQ?

3. Entertainment matters

The sky is the limit when it comes to entertainment. The days when a few tunes on a sound system was about as good as it gets are long gone. Party entertainers offer anything from magic shows through to assault courses, murder mystery games, casino nights and more. No matter what fancy dress theme you adopt, there’s entertainment that will work with it. Star wars costumes, for example, just cry out for a light saber duel contest, or the services of R2D2 and C3PO robots.

4. Provide sufficient notice and assistance for partygoers

Although some people absolutely love a fancy dress party, others may be concerned about putting together a suitable costume. Providing some ideas, as well as giving details of fancy dress stockists for party-goers who don’t want to attempt a DIY costume, are both thoughtful acts. It’s also helpful to give guests some notice of when the party will be held: costumes often take a few weeks to assemble, so allowing plenty of time for people to prepare makes sense.

Parties are fantastic opportunities for people to enjoy themselves and forget about their everyday worries and duties. Fancy dress gives them the chance to be someone else, providing a degree of escapism you just can’t get when you’re wearing your usual clothing. Get in touch to find out more about our fancy dress options, or get some more party ideas.

Losing a loved one is a traumatic experience, and it’s good friends and relations that can often be a real comfort in the aftermath of the bereavement. Those attending the funeral frequently provide considerable support to loved ones, as well as pay their respects and show their esteem for the departed. It’s only natural to want to thank funeral attendees for making the effort, as well as for any gifts or donations which they offered. That said, finding the right form of words can be difficult. Here we provide five simple sentences that form an appropriate basis for funeral thank you cards.

A direct thank you for attending

Literally saying ‘thank you’ is important. Obviously, this is the key message which the funeral card needs to convey: putting it in the first sentence means it’s clear what the intent of your message might be.

A sentence of appreciation

It can help to indicate why you are thankful that a particular individual or family attended. This sentence may either be a generic sentence, for example, “We really appreciate you taking the time to pay your respects,” or tailored to individual mourners, for example, “We were so touched that you, as X’s closest friend/work colleague could attend; it meant a lot to us.”

A request for help, or a response to an offer of help

Almost invariably, those attending the funeral will have offered to help in whatever way they feel able. If they have, a sentence reaching out to accept their help would be a useful addition to the funeral card. Some families may wish to request assistance. Alternatively, acknowledging an offer of help, but declining with grateful thanks may also be appropriate here.

Last requests from the deceased / charitable endeavours

If the deceased made any particular requests or had any specific wishes relating to the funeral card recipient, a sentence mentioning these could be of value. For example, “X specifically asked us to enclose $$ so that you could raise a glass to them”, or “X requested that anyone who wanted to made a donation to [specify charity]”.

Contact details

Make sure that you include not only your postal address but also your phone number, email address and social media accounts if appropriate. If a virtual memorial has been set up, or some similar online gesture of remembrance, it may be helpful to provide the link in this part of the card’s message.

Funeral thank you cards should be both a gesture of gratitude for attendance at a past event and a communication bridge from the past to the future. By moving the recipient through a series of sentences which are chronological in order, the overall tone is one of thankfulness, but also one of moving forward. Worded correctly, a funeral thank you card can become a source of comfort to both recipients and writers, paving the way for everyone who knew the deceased to begin to move onward whilst still holding precious memories dear.

Please get in touch if you require any further assistance with appropriate funeral card wording.

More than almost any other date on the calendar, October 31st has become synonymous with dressing up. From ghouls and ghosts through to zombies, witches, pumpkins, black cats and more, Halloween is always a great excuse to put on the face paint and be something spooky for a few hours. Luckily, Halloween isn’t the only time when fancy dress is a fantastic option. Here we consider five other events where dress up is the perfect way to make a great impression and add value to the experience.

Birthday parties

Who said that birthday parties are only for children? Although many adults tend to confine their birthday celebrations to a quiet meal out or a few drinks at the local with friends, the reality is that a fancy dress party, complete with themed food, drinks and entertainment, can be an unforgettable way to celebrate your special day. Whether you opt for a universal theme (cops ‘n’ robbers, horror or fictional characters, for example), or select a theme that’s dear to your heart, fancy dress can transform a birthday party into something amazing.

A wedding with a difference

Weddings aren’t what they used to be! Themed weddings are increasingly common, which means that the right fancy dress is obligatory attire. Depending on how well you know the happy couple, you may even want to dress up as a favourite character or wear a costume that brings back a good memory; an excellent conversation starter, the right fancy dress costume adds a sparkle to any wedding.

Concerts/shows/performances

Going to see a band that favours a dark vibe? Perhaps you and a group of friends intend to see a show where audience participation is a vital part of the proceedings. Dressing the part can be a key part of attending a wide range of musical and/or cultural events. The right costume can really help audience members to get into the spirit of the performance, as well as make for some great photos to share with the friends who weren’t fortunate enough to attend.

Conventions

Are you looking forward to your next horror/StarWars/StarTrek/Marvel convention? Fancy dress is an essential part of enjoying a convention, so why not invest in a fresh, engaging costume to make the day a special one? Not only will you fit right in with other convention-goers in their StarWars costumes, for example, but there’s also all the fun of navigating the journey to the venue dressed as a character that stands out for all the right reasons.

Charity events/sporting events

Whether you’re taking part in a charity car wash, running a marathon or completing a sponsored silence, an appropriate costume adds enjoyment to the occasion. Fancy dress has enormous appeal: if you want your charity event to get noticed (and thereby potentially raise more money), an outlandish costume that gets you noticed could work really well.

The bottom line is that fancy dress is great entertainment! No matter what day of the year it might be, finding an excuse to slip into something outlandish is always a recipe for fun. Get in touch to find out more.

A great costume is key to a fantastic Halloween! If you fancy creating a DIY costume that’s going to stand out from the rest when it comes to spooky impact, a zombie is one of the best options. Zombies come in all shapes and sizes, so makes a suitable costume choice for every member of the family. Read on to discover the top seven tricks to transform anybody into one of the scariest, most gruesome zombies on the planet!

1. Get the face right!

We all know that a pale face along with dark circles around the eyes is the hallmark of any true zombie! Use white face paint or fair foundation to give that “fresh from the grave look”. Blended black around the eyes will give a fantastic awoken dead appearance. Add fake wounds and dried blood for added gore. Unkempt, matted hair and black-painted teeth (use a suitable product for this, for safety reasons) complete the zombie look perfectly!

2. Corn starch makes great wounds!

Professionals use liquid latex to create wounds. This works well, but corn starch and water can give nearly the same effect. Add suitable colours (red food colouring and cocoa can give that dark red, old blood look) to add authenticity.

3. Dried blood

No zombie costume is complete without blood! To make your own fake blood, add food colouring and cocoa to glucose or corn syrup. This creates non-toxic fake blood that looks horrifyingly realistic. For added fright appeal, add some dried onion to the mixture for “blood with bits”! Want bigger bits? Add cereal! Depending on the size and shape of the bits you crave, there’s normally a cereal that will suit.

4. Get some guts!

Plastic body parts generously mixed with fake blood provides a great party piece, as well as being perfect for eliciting horrifying screams from timid trick ‘n’ treaters.

5. Red, white and black costumes work best

Although theoretically, zombies can wear anything, monochrome with a red accent of some sort is usually the best way to go. The zombie bride, for example, looks best in a white dress (a charity shop wedding dress or similar is ideal). Along with dead flowers and a wilting headpiece, bloodstains on the dress and can add plenty of spooky contrast.

6. Ragged clothes scream zombie!

Zombies have just dug their way out of the grave, so their clothing is unlikely to look its best! A few rips, tears, stains and frayed hems showcase the deceased’s scrabble to the surface wonderfully well. With a pair of scissors, fake blood and a black marker, it’s possible to fashion a zombie wardrobe out of almost anything.

7. Horror film associations

From Pennywise the clown through to Pinhead, Beetlejuice or Chucky, a Halloween costume that’s reminiscent of a well-known horror film character is always a hit.

Although we’ve given you plenty of suggestions, by following these guidelines and a little ingenuity it’s possible to transform almost any costume wearer into a disturbingly realistic zombie.

Many grocery stores now provide an online shopping experience for their customers. It’s not just the big chain supermarkets offering this convenient option, now even small, local grocery stores are jumping on board. When shopping online, you can see the range of stock available at the store and can fill your pantry from the comfort of your own home. Fruit and veg home delivery means fresh produce can be delivered straight to your door.

In this difficult time amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to shop online is more important than ever. Read on to learn about the other great benefits of shopping at your local grocery online.

Shopping for groceries online is faster

Shopping for pantry items, dairy products, meat, fruit and veg online is much faster than visiting a brick-and-mortar grocery store. Not only do you eliminate the travel time, but you also don’t have to worry about getting dressed and ready to go out in public. With online shopping, there’s no pacing down each aisle, searching for that one product you desperately need. There’s no confusion about which aisle has which product, and no wondering whether something is out of stock.

When you shop online, you can do a simple search to find if a product you need is in stock—and have the result in front of your eyes within seconds. Everything you need will be categorised and available at the click of a button.

Online grocery shopping helps ‘flatten the curve’

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to do your best to socially distance yourself from others. Governments have advised people to only leave their homes when necessary. While many retail stores, restaurants, cafes and other places where people gather have closed down, supermarkets remain open.

While the pandemic is ongoing, the grocery store is likely to be the one place where you’ll be in contact with a large number of other people. The best way to avoid this risk, and help ‘flatten the curve’, is to do your shopping online as much as possible.

Easily re-order your online grocery shop each week

One of the biggest benefits of finding grocery home delivery fruit and veg online is the ability to easily re-order your online shop each week. This benefit is especially poignant for large families who regularly shop for large amounts of groceries. With most services, you can save your order when checking out and re-apply it next time you jump online. This means you won’t have to go through the process of searching for and selecting the same products.

Shopping online supports your local supermarket

Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to support the economy by shopping at local businesses. If your local grocer has had to close down their shopfront, or if you’re unable to leave your house due to quarantine, you can continue to support them by shopping online. Grocery home delivery is the best way to fill your pantry, support the local economy, and maintain a social distance at the same time.

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to creating your wedding invitations. You’ll want to avoid spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure all formalities are considered. Your wedding will be one of the most important events of your life—and your guests will be a huge part of it—so you’ll want to make sure the invitations are perfect.

The number one thing to consider when creating your wedding invitations is the theme of your wedding. The wording should suit your style, and the design should set the tone of the occasion for your guests. It will be the first look into the colours, fashions and vibes to expect on the big day.

Spell it out

Whether your wedding will be casual or a formal affair, every word on your invitation should be spelled out. Titles like ‘Mr.’ or ‘Mrs.’ are fine to use, but the event time, date and year should be spelled out in full. The same rule applies to writing out addresses—spell out the street number.

Know how to use commas and periods

While some wedding invitations may have each line of text punctuated, this isn’t the norm! Instead of using commas and periods, use line breaks. They’re less harsh, and make your invitations sound more, well, inviting! You may, however, use commas within sentences to separate information.

Know when to use last names

For the bride and groom, last names aren’t needed if their parents’ names are included on the invitation. Doing so would be considered redundant and repetitive. And for wording, remember—if your parents are hosting the wedding, the invite should read accordingly.

Request attendance appropriately

There are a few options for requesting your guest’s attendance on the invitation. Requesting ‘The Honour of Your Presence’ or ‘The Pleasure of Your Company’ are common choices. These two options have distinct meanings. The first is typically used for weddings held at a place of worship, while the second is used for secular wedding venues. Choosing the right option will help your guests know what to expect.

Consider a custom wedding invitation service

Custom wedding invitation services provide an excellent starting point for creating invitations to suit your style. If you’re not sure what words to use, and how to set out your invitation, personalised invitation services typically offer a variety of templates available to build upon.

By following this advice, you can be sure your invitations will be well-received by every guest. Place another order with this writer

A thoughtful and well-considered funeral flower arrangement is a way to commemorate the deceased, as well as providing some comfort and support to the mourning family. Throughout history, funerals have been linked with a floral arrangement, and they can add beauty and calm to a challenging day.

Here are some of the things to consider as you plan what arrangement to send to a funeral.

What religion or faith did the deceased follow?

Different religions have different traditions with regard to funeral arrangements.

You will also need to consider the faith and culture of the deceased. The following list is a general etiquette guide but, if you are unsure, ask the closest family member that you know of for advice. Here are some of the most common religions:

Catholic – Most styles of flowers and floral arrangements are acceptable at a Catholic funeral. Wreaths and crosses are common design choices.

Protestant Christian – Again, most flowers and floral arrangements are acceptable.

Greek Orthodox – The flowers most favoured at a Greek orthodox funeral are white, and arrangements tend to be conservative, but most flowers are accepted.

Jewish – Traditionally flowers are not displayed during the service, although in some more contemporary Jewish funerals flowers may be displayed at the entrance of the synagogue. Often, the family sits shiva in the family home (a time of gathering for mourning and remembrance) and fruit baskets or other food is a popular gift.

Hindu – Floral arrangements are acceptable, but flower garlands are far more common at a Hindu funeral and are often placed in the coffin. Highly-scented and coloured floral arrangements are also very popular. Fruit baskets are also common.

Buddhist – White flowers are very common and traditional in Buddhist funeral floral arrangements, but red flowers are considered inappropriate.

What flowers should I use in the funeral arrangement?

Different floral arrangements are popular in different cultures. Western or European cultures tend to favour white flowers and traditional flowers including roses, carnations, chrysanthemums (often referred to as ‘mums’) and lilies. Asian cultures often use yellow as a mourning colour in traditional arrangements, but many will also use white flowers. Chrysanthemums are very common in Asian funerals.

Whichever floral arrangement you choose to send to the funeral, it is just as important to choose a heartfelt message and card to include with the delivery. Where it is possible, try and handwrite the message to create that all-important human connection, to help the family feel your love and support.

Superhero movies are more popular today than ever before. Filmmakers are breathing new life into the great comic book characters of the past—and with this comes a new, young fanbase. Superheroes are more than just guardians and freedom fighters to young children—they’re role models.

When a child dresses up as a superhero, they become the character. They feel the power surge through them. It’s as if they absorb the strength, abilities and intelligence of the costume they wear.

1. Try a variety of colours

Perhaps the number one recognisable trait of a superhero—the first thing people notice—is the colours they wear. Spiderman wears red and blue, Deadpool wears red and black—the colours are embedded in our minds.

You child may choose their favourite colours, or colours that represent the type of hero they want to be. A child who loves water, for example, might choose a blue and green bodysuit morphsuit. T-shirts with leggings or pyjamas are also great dress-up options.

2. Keep your identity a secret

This is another important aspect of a superhero’s identity—you rarely know who they really are! Superman, for example, only revealed his true identity of Clark Kent to those he deemed worthy.

Masks are one of the simplest ways to hide your identity. They’re fun to make, and children love hiding behind them! You can make a mask from the following bits and pieces:

– Flexible felt, cardboard or paper
– Elastic (to make the mask wearable)
– Scissors
– Glue
– Decorative items (like glitter, feathers or sequins)
– A mask template if it helps

3. Make your cape

A superhero is rarely seen without their cape. And what’s more, a cape is super easy to make! You can use any large piece of material you have lying around, from an old t-shirt, to a bedsheet, to a piece of newspaper. Try decorating your cape with a unique logo.

4. Design a recognisable logo

When you think about Batman, you think about his iconic logo of a black bat in a yellow circle. Remember—simplicity is key! You may want to follow the colour scheme you designed earlier. This way, your logo can be easily matched to your costume. Logos can be made from felt and glue or drawn on paper.

5. Add accessories

The right accessories will add a unique flair to your new costume. Try some of these ideas, which can be bought or made at home:

– Swords and shields
– Hats or headbands
– Wristbands or gloves
– Jewellery (earrings, pendants, bracelets)
– Glasses
– Gloves
– Belts

6. Time to show off!

Now your child has their costume ready to go—it’s time to embrace the character, and dive into the world of imagination. If your child is a true creative type, they might enjoy writing a story about their character, or drawing pictures of their adventures. Can they blast holes through walls, or become invisible? Encourage your child to fully flesh out their character, and let their imagination run wild!

If you’re taking part in a St Patrick’s Day parade, attending a party or you just love the Irish and want to get into the holiday spirit, there are a number of brilliant costume ideas available to choose from. Held on the 17th of March every year, which is the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, make sure you have your costume ready in plenty of time by looking at our list of St Patrick’s Day costume ideas.

1. Leprechaun

Nothing represents St Patrick’s Day more than a leprechaun costume. According to Irish folklore, leprechauns guard a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow and spend most of their time causing mischief. If this sounds like you, then a leprechaun costume could be a great choice.

2. Irish dancer

Popular with young children, Irish dancer fancy dress costumes are inspired by the traditional Celtic dresses worn by performers during solo and group dances. Some costumes, however, are modelled on the ornately embroidered dresses that became popular during the 1970s and 80s.

3. Shamrock

Whether you’re looking for a headpiece shaped like a shamrock or a full outfit, there are lots of options to consider here. The shamrock is used as a symbol of Ireland, with St Patrick reportedly using it as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity. As well as hats and women’s dresses, there are men’s suits and waistcoats with shamrock-inspired designs too.

4. Beer mug

St Patrick’s Day and beer go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise that beer mug costumes are a big hit. Green beer is thought to be consumed on St Patrick’s Day because it’s the one day during Lent that Catholics can disregard these restrictions and enjoy a number of delicious treats.

5. Pint of Guinness

Guinness is one of the world’s most successful beer brands, but it originated in Dublin, Ireland in 1759. Guinness costumes are worn all year round, including on Halloween and at stag dos, so they can be used again and again.

It’s important to remember that St Patrick’s Day is about more than just dressing up in fun costumes, but this is definitely one of the best ways to get into the party spirit. To find out more about these St Patrick’s Day costume ideas, contact us at Costume Wonderland today.

Your kitchen has to withstand a lot – spills, dropped pots and pans, heat, constant wear – so not every material is suitable for this room. Some flooring options will last longer than others, so balancing function and style is important if you’re going to make the right choice. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best flooring options for kitchens.

Bamboo Flooring

If you’re looking for a sustainable flooring option, bamboo is a great eco-friendly product. It’s also naturally very strong, so it offers excellent durability. However, it’s important to note that the quality of bamboo flooring is reflected by the length of its warranty, so bear this in mind when selecting a bamboo flooring brand.

Pros: Beautiful grain, long-lasting and eco-friendly.
Are there any cons? It is known to dent, so you’ll need to take care around the kitchen.

Laminate Flooring

Both durable and affordable, laminate wood flooring is easy to install and very soft under the foot if padding is installed underneath. There are also a number of styles and colours available, so it will be easy to find a flooring option that matches your design. Similar to bamboo flooring, ensure you choose a laminate flooring brand that offers a long warranty.

Pros: Affordable, easy to install and durable.
Are there any cons? It’s not considered as valuable as real wood flooring, but for many people, this isn’t an issue.

Vinyl Flooring

One of the best kitchen flooring options in terms of water resistance, vinyl can be textured so it looks like wood grain. Sheet vinyl will require professional installation, but tiles are DIY-friendly and easy to install. Vinyl usually starts to wear and fade after approximately 7 to 10 years of active use, but it is one of the most inexpensive options available.

Pros: Water-resistant, looks like wood, and vinyl tiles are easy to install.
Are there any cons? Your subfloor will need to be flawless for the installation to be successful.

Hybrid Flooring

Combining the best attributes of both vinyl and laminate, hybrid flooring is exceptionally hardwearing and when properly looked after, will stay looking beautiful for a very long time. It also looks authentic, so guests won’t know they’re not walking on a hardwood floor. Hybrid flooring is known for its acoustic properties and comfort underfoot as well.

Pros: Hardwearing, comfortable and authentic.
Are there any cons? It can’t be resanded, so care is needed to protect it from dents and scratches.

To find out more about any of these flooring options, as well as engineered and timber solutions, contact us at Floor Court today.

Parties and events can be a lot of fun but when you’re planning a function how do you make sure it goes well and everyone enjoys themselves? Below is a checklist that will ensure your event is a success.

The right venue

Where you hold your event is important. Whether you have it at home or you hire function space, make sure you have the space to accommodate the number of guests you are inviting and that it creates the atmosphere you want. If you hire a venue, ensure it is in a location that is easily accessible for your guests and there is plenty of space on the car park for those who decide to drive.

Date and time

It’s important to consider when your event date and time. If most of your guests need to go to work the next day then you may need to consider making your start time earlier so they can leave early. Also, if you can avoid your event coinciding with public events this could also be helpful especially if you are hiring function space. You don’t want your guests struggling to find parking or being unable to get a taxi afterwards.

Catering

If you are serving food at your event take into consideration the time and type of event. If your party falls right on lunch or dinner time, your guests may expect a meal. If your function is mid-afternoon, cocktail food will suffice. Consider whether it may be beneficial to enlist the services of a catering company.

Decorating

Dressing up a space is always a good idea. If you have a theme or colour scheme, try not to stray too far from it. Also, think about the types of decorations you have and how they will affect your guests. For example, if you have helium balloons with long strings hanging from them, they can be annoying.

Table and chair hire Melbourne

What type of furniture you need will come down to the type of function you are having. If you are having a sit-down meal, then you will need enough tables and chairs for all your guests. If you are having a cocktail function, then some seating such as lounges and perhaps some bar tables will provide ample comfort for your guests. Also, consider that if a majority of your guests are older they may want to sit so more chairs or lounges may be required. There is plenty of event hire companies that offer table and chair hire in Melbourne.

Glass hire Melbourne

If you have a large number of guests, you may need to hire glassware, cutlery and crockery. Event hire companies such as those that offer furniture hire can assist with glassware and cutlery hire.

Running schedule

If you have speeches, cake cutting or entertainment etc, a running schedule will help keep everything on track.

Entertainment

You may have dancing or some sort of show to entertain your guests. If you have dancing, ensure you have plenty of space for a dance floor and that the music you choose will suit most people.

Invitations

Once you have finalised all your details, put together your invitations. Ensure you include all the important information such as date, time, address and dress code. If there is any other information they should know, especially if it pertains to finding the venue, include it. Ensure you choose an RSVP date that gives you enough time to finalise details for your event.

Pre-planning

Try to get as much done as early as possible. Leaving everything to the last minute will only cause stress.

By following these tips, you can go a long way to ensuring your party or event is a great success and that your guests will be talking about it for years to come.