Planning a Custom Themed Party for Kids

Are you tired of the common, overused licensed Disney party themes that are available at your local party supply stores? They are generally over priced, lack creativity and let’s be honest, you’ve probably either hosted or attended parties that have exhausted all of the available themes. If you have browsed Internet sites like Pinterest.com recently, you have probably noticed the latest trend of designing your own party theme. It’s not the least bit complicated and the creativity allowed makes for lasting memories of your child’s themed party.

If you’re interested in creating a custom theme for your child’s party the first step is to choose your theme. The ideas are limitless so here are a few that I have seen so far: Clowns, Monsters, Mermaids, Candy, Circus, Pirates, Trains, Princess, Fairy, and Superheros. When picking you theme you not only want to consider your child’s interests but you should also consider the age range of the children who would be attending the party.

Once you have your theme selected you want to make a list of what you’ll need to create the party atmosphere. Remember you can make a custom themed party of any size. Of course the smaller the party the less it will cost, but size does not define the fun that the children will experience. A generic party list would look like this: Invitations, Food, Cake, Tables, Chairs, Decorations, Games/Entertainment, and Favors.

Invitations: You can create them yourself by buying clip art of your desired theme from websites like Etsy.com or 123rf.com. Once you have the clip art you can use it for other elements of your party such as decorations and the cake. You can also buy pre-made invitations for almost any theme on Etsy.com.

Food: If you have the time and recourses it’s always fun to incorporate foods that relate to your theme. For example at a superhero party the following foods were served: Wonder Dogs (hot dogs in a bun), Elasta cheese (string cheese), Fruit Kapows! (fruit kebobs), Hero H2O (water), and Lighting Lemonade (lemonade). If you chose not to incorporate your food with your theme it’s totally fine, it will not take away from your party.

Cake: Using the clip art that you purchased for the invitations you can create a design for your cake that can be printed out at bakeries or stores like Walmart, Stop & Shop or Costco

Decorations: If you’re not interested in wasting money, I would advise that you never ever purchase themed napkins, plates or cups. Solid colors that compliment your theme are great. If you are interested in making centerpieces or banners you can make them using the clip art you purchased and print them out yourself or check out your local Staples, Fed Ex or even Vistaprint.com. A lot of times you can get a high quality banner using your clip art for about $15. Many DIY decoration themes can be found easily on the Internet, specifically on a site like Pinterest.com. Items like popcorn, cotton candy and snow cone machines provided by Annabel’s Entertainment can add to the parties theme and also serve as favors and/or food.

Games/Entertainment: Bouncers and slides are great for kid’s parties, they do a great job at keeping the kids occupied and many times you can find a bouncer with a color scheme that compliments your party theme.  Obstacle courses, magic shows, sand art, spin art and face painting add that something extra to your child’s party.

Favors: Again, you can use the clip art that you purchased for the invitations to create custom favors for your party or you make up goodie bags that compliment your theme.

As I mentioned before, the larger the party the higher the costs involved. Using a DIY theme allows you to make your child’s party extra special without breaking the bank. The main tip I can offer is to give yourself enough time in advance to plan out each aspect of the party. Search in stores and online for the best deals available and above all have fun! Party plan can be a truly fun and creative process. 

Hugs and Kisses,

Annabel the Clown

Brief History of Clowns

Many books have been written about the history of clowns. I certainly find the subject interesting because, well, I am one and I love it. The word "clown" itself is most likely from the word for clumsy that surfaced around 1560AD in Iceland (klunni), Sweden (kluns) and North Frisia / Germany (klonne). Showing up in the English language as "clown" in the early 1900s.

Ancient clowns seems to track back to roughly 2400BC in Egypt was a man called "Danga". Hailing from a tribe of pygmies, Danga entertained the royal family.

After Egypt clown can be traced to ancient Greece and Italy. Later Cortez found clowns amongst the Aztecs in the 1520s. The Italian Renaissance brought several clowns in roving theatre groups called Commedia del Arté, among the were Pierrot and Harlequin. The former being the predecessor to pantomime and the latter the predecessor of slapstick.

American Indian found that clowns aided in curing certain maladies such as lowering blood pressure, muscular relaxation along with releasing stress reducing chemicals and virus-fighters.

By the late-middle ages, clowns were part of the royal court staff as Court Jesters and given the freedom to answer back to anyone in authority without fear of punishment. Imagine that! Maybe our President wants to spend the day with me so I can say a thing or two about job creation.

The make-up you now know as clowns today was created by English actor Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) by using whiteface makeup over his face, neck and chest. It was later popularized in the US by George L. Fox who used Grimaldi for inspiration.

Later in the mid-late 1800s, the "Auguste" clown saw a birth in Germany with oversized clothes and looking foolish and confused. While around the same time, the tramp or hobo clown developed in the US after the American Civil War. The latter was inspired by the homeless and migratory workers of that time who roamed America on the trains.

History does not record women in clowning until 1858 then only a handful are mentioned. The first female clown was Amelia Butler who toured with the Nixon’s Great American Circus. Amelia was the last women clown in the American circus for almost twenty years. But it wasn't until the 70s that clowns showed their feminine side with bloomers and petticoats.

Although clowns are notoriously noted for being funny and their silly antics, clowns have skills in order to be employable.

Clowning is a serious business, even if it's all about the fun. The ability to turn the room into a bundle of positive energy is no easy task. At Annabel's Entertainment we love what we do and we what we love - create fun and make sure a good time is had by all.

Hugs and Kisses,
Annabel TheClown

Coulrophobia and Annabel "the clown"

Coulrophobia is defined as "an extreme fear of clowns," in Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English. As a party entertainer who dresses as a clown more often than not, I have to say that upsetting anyone at a party or event would be the last thing this entertainer wants to do.

Some experts believe it's the lack of being able to associate a real facial expression with the clown, some believe there is a trauma associated with the fear, and some believe it has to do with TV and movies that have portrayed clowns as evil (Stephen King's "It" comes to mind).

A fear of clowns is common and our hearts and empathy should go out to the children, adults and their families who have to pick up the pieces after an unexpected meeting with a clown. There's nothing funny about the fear and the emotions.

If you want to book a party for your child, your school event, your family reunion or any other event, keep in mind that one of your guests may be uncomfortable.

At Annabel's Entertainment we're not just clowns. We're magicians, entertainers, artisans and all around party people. Annabel and her trusty side-kicks Party Pete and Cutie Pie are available to entertain your party with or without costume. We can paint faces, do tricks, help your guests create art, play games, serve yummy snow cones, popcorn, and/or cotton candy, make balloon art, etc.

We are very mindful of our clients' needs and want you to feel secure in knowing that we're with you because we love what we do, we're not just going along with your needs because there's a recession and we want the money.

You don't have to bypass fun in order to get the party your guests will brag about all year long. Call the people who really love what they do and love to see you and your guests having a great time ;-)

Party Season is here again!

It's here! Spring is well into full bloom and party season has begun again.

Although birthdays and holiday events are celebrated throughout the year, Annabel's Entertainment, Inc. is always busiest during the spring and summer. This clown is one happy woman during busy season.

The more parties I attend, the better I feel. There is something exhilarating about the high energy of a party, the passing of a NY minute, the thrill of hearing people laugh and the giggle of a child.

One can't help but be tickled pink when they year how great they are from guests and hosts alike. I thrive on compliments from dozens of people a week, all the pats on the back, the hugs and the smiles. Who wouldn't?

Don't worry, if you're planning a party for the 2009 season, there's still a few spots left and lots of love to go around. Just give Annabel's Entertainment Inc. a call and keep a clown happy ;-)

The Green Organic Party

Two buzzwords that are being thrown around these days are "organic" and "green." Many parents want to do better for their children's diet and environment. Yet that doesn't mean they have to sacrifice fun at a party. Parties can be easily tailored to fit dietary needs such as Feingold, organic, kosher, etc.

My friend did her child's first birthday party completely organic and plastic free. This was over a dozen years ago when organic and green were not so easy to find. Now it's much simpler to replace the plastic, sugar and high fructose corn syrup with paper or wooden trinkets, rice syrup or agave nectar or honey etc.

At Annabel's Entertainment, Inc. you'll find that you don't have to compromise your values to ensure your child's party is everything they expect. It may cost a few cents more, and may take a little more time to arrange, but you'll be happy with the results. With a little bit of planning you can make your party a healthy blast!

Party Tip #45

Due to the high increase in allergies and sensitivities to sugar, many parents are opting to give out trinkets instead of candy. This is a great way to ensure that each child comes home with a smile and some goodies.

Welcome to Annabel's Blog

Hello NYC Metro Area!

I'm Annabel, the Entertainer of New York, and I've been clowning and entertaining children in the NYC Metro area and Long Island for over 25 years. I love making children smile and creating good energy at parties. 

Everything from simple entertainment to party tips to resources for your next party, Annabel's Entertainment Center will be able to make your party a success!

Magic Show, Face Painting, Balloon Sculptures, Bouncers, Live Animals, Prizes, Popcorn, Cotton Candy & Snowcone Machines, Spin Art, Sand Art, Giant Slide, Obstacle Course.

Party Packages can be customized to meet your party planning needs. Annabel's Entertainment offers oodles of fun for your birthday party, corporate event, family reunion, fundraiser, promotional event, etc.

Visit my main website at:

http://annabelsentertainment.com/