Dare to Share #255

It's Friday night, and you know what that means.. 

It is time to Dare to Share! 

This week my friends and I had a movie themed party. 

Since today is St. Patrick's Day, I thought it would be fitting to featured a Shamrock Shake recipe by My Thoughts, Ideas, and Ramblings.  I have not had one yet this year, so it would be really cool if I could make myself one at home. 

I am so excited about the opening of the Beauty and the Beast movie. I hope to watch it this weekend with my friends.  My co-host Kim from Kandy Kreations is excited too. She shared how to make Beauty and the Beast Chocolate Oreos this week.  They would be perfect for a party, or even just watching the movie.  

Now it is time for this week's party. You are welcome to share anything that you would like to share. If you are chosen as a Dare to Share Feature, you post will be featured on the blog and social media.  This party is also seen on Kandy Kreations for double the exposure.  Kim also chooses posts to feature on her blog and social media.  

Link up and HAVE FUN! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

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Hosting a Movie Party

Did you watch the Oscars this year? This was the first year that I had actually seen several of the Best Picture movies with my friends.. We loved La La Land, Hidden Figures and Hacksaw Ridge. There were also favorite movies in other categories, such as Moana, and Zootopia.   This year would have been a great year to have an Oscars party, but with work schedules and illness a late Sunday night party did not work out.  Instead we decided to get together on a Saturday night this past weekend.  As you know from past posts, I am a brand ambassador for Oriental Trading.  I am going to share some of the great movie party supplies they sent me to try out.  In the picture above you can see the film strip table runner, the cascading centerpiece, one of the popcorn cups, and the glitter star garland. 

We had originally thought we would have pizza and finger foods, but the meal kind of morphed into a sit down dinner since we kept the party small. We bought a couple of rotisserie chickens, frozen veggies, and salad.  Then during the movies, we snacked on popcorn, cookies and ice cream.   

Here is a better view of the table runner and centerpiece taken while we were setting up.  The table runner was made a paper. I did have to tape it down to keep it flat, but once secure it fit perfectly on the table. 

We had clapboard favor boxes which were the perfect size for treats. 

Because my friend has painted walls, I did get a little creative on how I hung the decorations.  The glitter star garland, made her light over the table will stand out. 

The film strip paper streamer was hung in a few places in the kitchen and in the family room where we watched the movies.  It was only one sided, which is why it looks like it is hanging a little funny.  I did not want the back side of the streamer to show. 

We ate our meal on special movie themed plates, and used movie night napkins.  

All around the house we hung movie night themed cardboard cut outs..  

While B was helping me set up, she also had some fun with some of the photo props. 

We hung the VIP red carpet banner in my friends bay window which ended up being the perfect spot for some picture.  B and T are showing off the directors clapboards. I had planned on writing on them which movie we were watching but did not end up deciding until every one was there.  We ended up watching Guardians of the Galaxy and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. 

I have no idea why this was taken on an angle, or why I am holding my leg in a funny manner but me, B and T are posing with more of the photo props.  

One decoration I did not get a photo of was the film strip photo frame that holds a 3 x 5 picture.  I am planning printing one of my favorite pics of the night to put in the frame. 

Oriental Trading  has many more movie night themed party supplies in addition to what I shared here. There are so many, it is easy to have a low key night with friends like we did, or an elaborate themed dance or party that is a night to remember.  

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Animal Themed Party Food

With all the recent and upcoming movies with animals as the stars, I thought it would be a good time to re-share some of my favorite Animal Themed Party Food.  These ideas might give inspiration on what to make  for a Zootopia, Jungle Book, Finding Dory, Life of Pets and other animal party themes. 

A couple of years ago, my daughter had a Butterfly Themed Party. Her favorite treat that day was  the Butterfly Cake Rolls.  We made the butterflies out of chocolate,  and then rested them on the swiss cake roll.  This treat would be good for a garden party, insect party, or even the upcoming Alice Through the Looking Glass movie party.  Every time I see a promo for the movie, I notice the colorful butterflies.   

Four years ago we had a Woodland Animal Party in honor of our hedgehog Silver.   The star of our party table was our Hedgehog Watermelon.  

We had a watermelon shark at our Beach Bash. Cutting fruit into animal shapes are always a hit with the kids.  If there are sharks in the new Finding Dory movie, making one could make a great addition to your party menu. 

When she ha a cat themed party several years ago, we served strawberry mice. They were really easy to make, and cute too. They could also be made for a Cinderella or other princess themed party. 

We once even made Cat Pizza Biscuits.  They were fun to make, and tasted great too.   With the upcoming Life of Pets, a cat or even a dog pizza biscuit would make a delicious party treat. 

One of our favorite parties was my daughter's Beach Bash Birthday.  During that party the guests loved our Crabby Sandwiches. They were croissants filled with chicken salad, but could be changed into whatever kind of sandwich you prefer. 

When the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 came out. We loved creating a party themed filled with Foodimals like this Fruit Cockatiel. They were almost too cute to eat, but we managed.

During our Zoo Party we served monkey, lion and elephant cupcakes.  (Yes I do realize they are on a Halloween cupcake stand.  My daughter was turning 7, and wanted to use it) There are elephants were in both Zootopia, and the Jungle Book.

Going back through all of my animal food pictures is making me want to go in the kitchen right now and make some more.  I am sure I will be sharing some new animal food ideas soon.  

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Norm of the North Cookies - Dare to Share Feature of the Day

This weekend the new family movie Norm of the North is being released.  If you have kids it may be part of your weekend plans to go see it.  Angie from The Country Chic Cottage shared at the Dare to Share party this week how to make these really cute Norm of the North  cookies. They are not that hard to make, and would be fun to make before or after the movie. Even if you do not plan on seeing the movie, polar bear cookies would be a great treat for a snow day, or zoo party.  Stop over to The Country Chic Cottage to see how to make them. 

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Funfetti Cake Batter Dip - Feature of the Day

Blair from The Seasoned Mom  shared a really fun treat and an activity that she loves to do with her children.   Each weekend her family has a Family Movie Night,  where they get to spend time together and enjoy special treats like this Lightened Up Funfetti Cake Batter Dip.  Doesn't that look good,  She has a special ingredient to give it some health value, which lessens the guilt of eating a sweet treat.    Be sure to stop over and get the recipe,  it would be great to serve at parties, pot lucks or your own family movie night.   Thank you so much for linking up to  Dare to Share Blair!  

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Movie Themed Slumber Party

I had a request for some ideas for a hollywood themed slumber party.  My oldest daughter had one several years ago when she was 9, so I had to do some digging for the old photos.  This party was before I knew I would have a party planning blog in the future, so I didn't have very many photos.   I still remember the party pretty well though.      I bought some red felt at the fabric store and made a red carpet the length of the living room. 

Each of the girls were given a boa, star shaped glasses and a  bead necklace. They  took turns walking down the red carpet, and posed for the photographers.    While we did make up,  nails, and hair  later in the party, this is easily something that could be done before walking the carpet.    This picture cracks me up, Kara was only 4 here, and already knew how to pose like a star.. LOL!   If you can find autograph books from the dollar store, give one to each child and they can take turns giving out autographs.

I used black, gold and silver as the main color scheme of the party, and found many hollywood themed items at my local party store.  Another fun touch would be to make movie posters from pictures of the birthday child and their guests. 

I dont have any pictures of the food we made that night.  We made individual pizzas so that the girls could pick their own toppings.  If you would like to go more elegant, serve finger food in the shape of stars like these recipes on familyfun.com.   Another  fun touch that would make the food look more fancy is to use silver platters from the dollar store. 

This has nothing to do with a Hollywood theme, but being 9, my daughter helped make her own monkey cake.   (her idea)    Sometimes its okay not to stick with the theme, if it makes your child happy. At 9 years old, most girls are obssessed with monkeys, so this was a huge hit

If you would like a more glamourous themed caked, how about the sunglasses cake from

family fun

or popcorn cupcakes from food.com.

After walking the red carpet, its movie watching time.  I loved this homemade concession stand by pumpkinseedproductions.blogspot.  The dollar store has a lot of box type candy and even popcorn containers.   The girls can watch some of their favorite movies while enjoying popcorn, and candy.

The next morning I handed out mini tropheys that I found at the dollar store. Each girl got their own special award.   The birthday girl got Best Performance by a Drama Queen (there had been tears at her party.. LOL)  and Best Performance by a Birthday Girl.    Kara got Best Performance by a Little Sister.  I don't remember what awards the other girls got, but they seemed happy with their awards.  

It was definitely a memorable party.   

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