Party Stylings is a subsidiary of a corporate event marketing company I started in 2003. I have been doing event management for nearly 20 years, but was always a foodie, too. Party Stylings has allowed me to bring a skill and a joy together to form a really great concept for people who want to entertain without the hassle. Party Stylings is a catering company, but we have a number of packaged offerings and value-adds that are not typical to caterers.

What services do you provide? What do the parents need to do?

We provide themed packages for kids that are all-inclusive and completely hassle-free for parents. The parents pick the theme that best suits their child (or they can create one from scratch with our help). They select menu items and other options, such as activities. We handle coordination, starting with handmade party invitations that we mail to their guests (we even collect RSVPs). We provide beautiful décor and staging, including coordinating table settings with linens, plates, cups/glasses, flatware, and more (we use mostly non-disposable items). We provide upscale party favors and guest keepsakes, which usually consist of the kids keeping dress-up items used at the party, which they love and can play with again and again. We also provide family-friendly, healthy, and fun food for kids, along with gourmet cupcakes – the BEST gourmet cupcakes. All of our packages also include themed crafts or activities so that the kids are completely engaged and entertained from start to finish. The parents need to do very little, so they can focus on their child and celebrate right along with everyone else.

Are there different levels?

All of our packages are comprehensive: coordination with on-site staff, handmade invitations, décor, tables and tablescaping, non-disposable service items, from-scratch food and beverage, gourmet cupcakes, dress-up items that double as favors, activities, and clean-up. The packages are complete enough that upgrades aren’t necessary, but we do offer upgrades, such as inflatables, character visits, or food and beverages for parents if the host wishes them to stay. I did one party last fall, our Enchanted Forest Garden Party, where all of the girls dressed as fairies and ate fairy food, and the party was upgraded to include a live unicorn on the front lawn. It was enchanting and memorable!

Where do you get a live unicorn?

Trade secret.

Where are the parties held?

Our packages are designed to be hosted within the home, but we’ve also produced them at public locations such as community clubhouses. We are happy to take our packages wherever the client wishes to go, as long as the location allows outside catering to be brought in.

What is the most popular theme this year?

So far it’s been the Enchanted Forest Garden Party or the Royal Highness Tea Party – do princesses of any kind ever go out of style? But we’ve also seen a spike in requests for the Rock and Roll Diva Party and the Pamper Me Spa Party, especially for older girls. My daughter turns seven this year, and she has been bugging me like crazy for the Spa Party! Being a bit of a foodie myself, I’m hoping that the Whip Me Up A Cooking Party takes off. The party is perfect for co-ed gatherings of almost any age group, and the kids actually take an active role in preparing the food for the party, which gives them such a huge sense of achievement. They also get their own apron and chef’s hat, so they can help more in the kitchen at home. We currently have over 20 themes, some for boys, some for girls, some perfect for co-ed parties. All of our parties are special in their own way, but the common thread is the interactivity – the kids are fully engaged from start to finish.

What is the average cost?

All of the party packages start at $495 plus service charges and tax, with a number of upgrades and add-ons available. Because the parties are completely inclusive, a parent can book the basic package and not have to spend a single penny on anything else. We even provide a special gift for the birthday child. When our clients really think about what they spend on their own, running around to buy décor, food, favors, and everything else that’s needed, they are nearly always surprised to find that they can spend less with us for these gorgeous, upscale parties and not have to get in the car once. But I think their favorite part is that we bring the party to them and clean-up afterward. All they really need to do is show-up and have fun!

What is the best compliment you’ve received?

While I love hearing compliments from parents the best are those directly from the kids – especially when they accompany a hug! But, I have to say, after one Enchanted Forest Fairy Party I received a thank you note from one of the mothers. In it she said that her daughter had such a great time and that she begged to wear her fairy outfit to bed that night. That pretty much told me that we were accomplishing what we had set-out to do and that our parties would not soon be forgotten by anyone who attended one. ◊

or visit them on the web at www.partystylings.com. *Photo courtesy of Forever Yours Photography in Castle Rock.