So here is how my whole design process started.  I have an online membership to www.iclipart.com where I can download unlimited amounts of clipart and use it royalty free for my small home based business.  Believe it or not I found a hat with some circles that looks very similar to…well you’ll see what kind of hat and you’ll say, ah…okay.  My husband came home one day with one of those large cupcake cake pans to bake for her party and it was then I knew I definitely had to use cupcakes in the theme.  Of course pink was a given because, duh, she’s a girl.  I had some food clip art with a really cute cupcake and went to town on my design.  This is what I “threw” together.  I know I mentioned that I created this for

my 1 year old girl’s party but this picture is better than the other one I had from her party and this includes all elements that come with a party pack.  With the exception of the balloon on a stick, it’s not pictured here. 

I mailed this party pack out this week and I can’t wait to hear from the customer when she receives it.  I just love getting feedback when a package arrives.  I mean yeah, it’s not like it’s a total surprise because they have seen the design online and they have seen proofs for their personalization but there is something about seeing this stuff in person, all put together and as a part of the actual party.  Pictures aren’t always the best “light” to see something in.  You HAVE to see these in person. 

For me, and one of the reason I chose this type of business, is that a birthday is about something very personal.  It’s a milestone, it’s a celebration of another year of life at any age.  Sure, after we turn 35 we’re not quite as enthused about adding another year but at the same time birthdays are fun.  I love designing for birthdays and I love celebrating with a special cake that’s just for the birthday boy or girl.  I let my kids choose their theme and I make it happen!  I plaster their names all over everything because it’s the one day in the whole year that is absolutely about them just like the day they were born!  Think about it, the day they are born their name is plastered all over everything at the hospital, on your bags, their diaper bag, etc.  Why should that be any different for the rest of the birthday celebrations?  It shouldn’t! 

A little more about this design.  The beauty of pretending to be a graphics artist, I’m not one, is that I can change the colors in this design to make it perfect for boys and adults.  Just a little tweaking and I can take this and make it all about YOU!  I can change fonts too but the font used is very fitting so why would you want to change it?    Seriously, it’s what you like, not what I like. 

If you are interested in a party pack you can start your order now even if you’re party isn’t for several weeks or months.  The best time to order is at least 2 weeks before your party date to ensure timely delivery without having to pay for expedited shipping.  I love these things but man do they take a while to put together.  If you order your party pack between now and January 31, 2012 you will automatically get 12 cupcake toppers included with your order.  Say what?  That’s right we are going to begin offering cupcake toppers soon so we are giving them as a freebie to get more experience in putting them together.  So yeah, you may be the guinea pig but hey, you’re getting another personalized item for your party. 

Browse our online store for designs we have available right now and remember that if you don’t see what you’re looking for just email us and we’ll create a new design for you at no extra charge. Go to Our Online Party Pack Store

Please feel free to share your comments, suggestions and testimonials here.

Let us make it personal for YOU and we’ll help you “Celebrate Life’s Precious Moments”©

Kristal

PS-Don’t forget to join us on Facebook  Also sign up for our monthly newsletter

Well I have a perfect solution for you to make it a little easier this year!  The Birthday Party Pack from Sweet Expressions.  You can pick from a theme we already have or pick a custom theme and we will create a design to match…no extra charge of course.  We personalize it, you can even add a photo if you like.  We then print, assemble and ship to you in time for the party and all you do is hand them all out.

What does the party pack include?

Good question!  Here is a list of what you get:

• 12-5×7 Announcement cards w/envelopes (use them for invitations or thank you notes)
• 12-botttle labels:  waterproof, tearproof and smudge proof and fits most botttles up to 16.9oz
• 12-Thank you kid’s treat bags to include, 12 standard wrappers with your choice of chocolate bar or coloring book w/crayons, 12-mintbook lollipops and 12- mini bubbles
• 1- Personalized 7″ round balloon on a stick

All 12 clear treat bags will be assembled and tied with coordinating ribbon ready for you to hand out, you don’t do a thing.

Isn’t that amazing?  How much time that will save you right!  You get 12 ready-to-go favor bags…all you do is hand them out on the day of the party or celebration.

There are also add ons if you want to go a little further with the pack and theme.  We can create mini wrappers for you that fit around mini chocolate bars (great for pinata).  Or maybe some chocolate kiss labels for the bottom of the kisses, individual Rolos, and small Reese’s cups.  These labels will also fit on small hard candy like cinnamon disks, peppermint, spearmint, lifesavers candy.  You get the idea.

Newly offered and not even on the website yet are cupcake toppers!  That’s right, those will also match your personalized theme.  Perfect if you’re taking cupcakes to school and let’s face it sometimes it’s just easier to hand out a cupcake to kids and skip all that cutting.

So if you’re planning a birthday soon you HAVE to check these out and get yours ordered now to save you tons of time.

Here are a few pictures of some party packs and what you’ll get.

The picture above shows you the standard bar, bubbles, mintbook lollipop, balloon, invite and a bottle label on a water bottle.  These are all the items included in the pack.  This was design for a 5 year old boy that couldn’t decide on a Star Wars theme or a Thomas the Tank Engine them so I did both.  Why should he have to choose, right!  One side was Star Wars and the other side was Thomas.

This picture are 12 treat bags for a 1 yr old princess birthday party.  See how they are fully assembled and ready to hand out?  Easy peasy I say.

Check out are already design party packs here–>Look at Party Packs

Remember if you don’t see a theme there you like or it’s not the them you’ve picked out no worries just send us an email and tell us what you are looking for and we’ll send create it for you.  We also have a Custom Option for you and in the comments you tell us what you want–>Custom Party Pack

When is your next birthday celebration?  I’ll be glad to make it a little easier for you.

Make it Personalized,

Kristal

Our first item are the Christmas character bars.  I went crazy after the Thanksgiving bars and designed a whole family of those little guys and gals.  Just take a look at this picture and tell me they aren’t cute!

Christmas Character Bars

I just love these wearing their little hats and scraves!  Let me introduce them from left to right starting with the top row:  Gingy, Penguin, Red Nose Reindeer, Elfy, Mr. Frostie.  Second Row: The big man himself and the Mrs.–Santa and Mrs. Claus.   I don’t think I have a favorite in this bunch they are all just too cute!  They’ve been flying out of here in a little box sleigh and some have even made it to a retail counter.  These would make an awesome teacher gift and kids love giving them, I’m sure they will be the kid of the day when they hand these out!  *At the bottom we’ll share some links on how to buy these little fellas.

Next item up:

Letter from Santa

Personalized Letter From SantaNow this is sweet! What a great way to get your kids extra excited about Christmas....a super unique and custom message from Santa. Have an older kid asking lots of questions and doubting Santa, send them one of these to keep the spirit alove one more year. After you answer some questions this letter will use their name, the town they live in, what they may get for Christmas, friends and brothers and sister's names. You may also request anything custom to be added.Next in LineClassroom Candy CanesClassroom Candy CanesNow these are simply perfect for classroom friends. My son loves giving these out in the classroom to his friends and the kids absolutely love them. If you're not able to send candy to school or don't want to just custom request some festive pencils instead! Same low price and they will still be absolutely adorable. These are the 3 most popular items. We have many more items to choose from oh wait, I almost forgot about the custom request I received and created just the other day. This one is also awesome for the classroom! Who doesn't love..... Polar Express

Polar Express inspired!  What kid doesn’t love this movie?  Seriously, how awesome is this?  Even I’m impressed.

What’s your favorite?  Maybe none of these hit your fancy.   That’s okay, there’s more in our online store click here–>Christmas Catalog

For more details about the items above use these links:

Christmas Character Bars

Santa Letter

Classroom Candy Canes

Golden Ticket (Polar Express)

Have any questions or need some ideas send me a message and I’ll be glad to help.  Before I go I want to give you a little something for free.  A Nice List Certificate, print this out and write your child’s name on it!  

Enjoy!

This Thanksgiving character collection was inspired by a snowman that was found on another blog by Laurie Furnell, Find the snowman article HERE.  Psst, We are offering these too at Sweet Expressions!  Back to the Thanksgiving characters.  So these were inspired by this blog that was shared amongst the candy wrapper community.  We all just loved these so much but once I saw them and candy wrappers were buzzing I couldn’t let it stop here!  Had to keep going and only fitting to start with Thanksgiving.  By the way there is an entire Christmas character collection that I’ll blog about soon.

This character collection for Thanksgiving is perfect for your classroom pilgrims and turkeys!  That’s right, pilgrims and turkeys.  I know you’re on the edge of your seat now!  :)  There is a picture at the end but please no peaking yet!  Not only are they great for the classroom parties, teacher’s gifts, preschool, daycare, church classes they are PERFECT for your Thanksgiving dinner table place settings.  What better way to tell everyone “Thank you” for coming.  You can even personalize the back of each one with a separate message to let each person know why you are thankful for them.  Maybe you rather share your favorite scripture or perhaps a Thanksgiving poem, or just a simple message straight from your heart.  If you can’t think of anything, that’s okay, we can and we’ll make sure it presents your style…not ours.

I know you’re scrolling to see a picture so here it is, the unveiling of the Thanksgiving Character Collection Exclusive to Sweet Expressions!!!

Pilgrim Girl and Pilgrim Boy both wearing hats and Tom Turkey with felt feathers!  Now that’s a cute favor.

Celebrate in the classroom…any classroom, celebrate at the office, give these to your clients, give them to friends and use them as your place settings, heck they can be substituted for dessert since it’s filled with a chocolate bar!  you did after all slave over the whole dinner why the dessert too.

These can be ordered in any quantity from 1 to whatever.  They are priced at $3 for 1 or 2 for $5 ($2.50/each for more than 2).  To order simply follow this link–>Order Your Turkey Characters NOW!

Here’s a little day after Thanksgiving tidbit:  You just put away all those leftovers and you really feel like you shouldn’t have to cook for like a week right?  However the family still gets hungry but they have had Thanksgiving up to the ears now cause the food was so good they are totally stuffed.  Here’s a great way to make a new meal out of the old meal.  Depending on how much turkey you have left you could do both.  there’s always turkey salad which will taste much like chicken salad.  Add in your left over turkey, cut it up into chunk sizes you like, add a little onion, onion powder or dried onion flakes, salt, pepper, mayo (it’s gotta be Dukes if it’s available in your area) and maybe even a left over deviled egg or two.  mix it altogether, let it set for a little while in the fridge so all those flavors merge nicely and make some sandwiches for lunch or supper.  I like to add swiss cheese and brown it in a pan like making a grilled cheese….superb!

Make a Turkey style shepherd’s pie!  for the bottom layer start with mashed taters or mac n cheese or both if you have them, then add corn or green beans to the next layer and yes green bean casserole will work!  Next layer add the turkey then throw in that left over gravy if you have any left over (make extra so that you do…trust me), then add some cheddar cheese, bake in 350 degree oven until warm (cheese will be nice and bubbly)  and voila you have a nice day after meal.  It was easy, and now your left overs are gone and you don’t feel like you’re having Thanksgiving all over again.  Next step is go put up the Christmas tree and decorate it while drinking hot chocolate and watching  ”National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”  (that’s what we do)

Don’t forget to count how many pilgrims and turkeys you need and use the link up above.

See you again soon!

Kristal

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Here’s what you get with our Santa Letter:

• Personalized letter
• addressed envelope with faux postage and faux North Pole Postmark
• personalized candybar wrapper filled with your choice of chocolate bar or coloring book w/crayons
• Faux autographed picture of Santa
• Bonus– Jingle bell necklace (think about the movie North Pole Express)
• Parent’s instructions/suggestions sheet
• Price is $8.99 (includes shipping– multiple letter discounts available)

Last week I had a customer that found us and left a message on my business phone, which is really just my personal cell phone that I’ve attached a local number to for business.  Anyway, her office mate called and left me a message.  I called her back the next day and this how our conversation went.  She was thrilled to hear from me and as I was talking to her she mentioned that she kind of decided spur of the moment to search for candy bar favors and had searched and searched online/google and after several attempts to contact other wrappers she finally found me.  She was a little nervous because my website says I need a 2 week lead time.  That’s true for some orders especially those being shipped but for local orders I can have a 2-3 day turn around on most orders.  She told me what she liked on my website which were minis in royal blue with a ribbon and a standard with a purple color theme and also a gift pictured on it.  However, she like the basic design she wanted a specific color.  She would have been fine with the design she saw on my website and but it possible she wanted black, white and red colors used.  Now I tell ya, when my customer wants a custom option I will do what I can to make that happen.  I don’t want you to like your items, I want you to LOVE them!  I told her I can absolutely re-create a similar items using her colors and I would send her a digital proof to look at and approve before we go further.

This is what she found on the website that she liked:

(standard wrapper)

(mini wrapper)

This is the digital proof I sent her:

This was her response to the digital proof:

Hello Kristal,

All I can say is OMG! I am so pleased with the proofs, you just don’t know!  You captured all of my suggestions and I am so loving them! I have examined the proof and saw not one flaw!

Responses like that make all the time it takes to prepare these personal creations worth it.  I love receiving comments like this and I love helping others celebrate their precious moments.  The customer could not have been happier with the results and as I tell all my customers, if you like the digital proof wait until you see the finished product because the 2 never compare.  See for yourself!

These are the things we feel set up apart from others.  We are in it to make you happy!  I want to create something that expresses who you are, not who I am or what I want.  I want you to know that when I say custom I really do mean custom.  Do we have our limitations?  We have our ethical and moral limitations sure but design limitations…hm, if we have them, we haven’t met them yet!  We also like to go above and beyond and I won’t tell you what it is but we like to include a special little gift, or two, with each order but that’s our inside secret and if you’ve ordered from us before then you know what that is, however I will tell you it’s not always the same ole thing!

We love helping you celebrate your special moments and add that extra pizzazz to your party, event, or holiday.  What are you celebrating?  We want to know!

Until next time,

Kristal

*Picture of the top 2 wrappers are courtesy of OccasionOgraphy® and we are OccasionOgraphy® licensed consultant.  Digital Proof picture and watermarked picture and designs are created and owned by yours truly, Sweet Expressions, LLC.  Do not copy and or use our images or designs without written permission from Sweet Expressions, LLC © 2011 All Rights Reserved

A lot of these options are not new so why haven’t you seen them?  Well, I don’t have a straight answer for you except that it’s easier to market candy but it’s obvious that my following is not interested in just candy, you want other options, you want fun options that don’t send your kids like a rocket in the sky to come crashing down hours later into a mush of sugar whine.  (That’s what happens to my kids when they have too much sugar at one time)  Today I’m sharing with you some GREAT alternatives to candy because our products are so versatile Candy is NOT the ONLY option!

Take a look at our standard candy bar wrapper.

Now what makes this wrapper unique is the envelope/pouch that comes with it.  This foil envelope looks like a long coin envelope or like the envelope you get when you cash your check at the bank.  it’s self sealing and oh my, there are so many things that can fit in that envelope.

Do you have any idea of the things that can fit in there?!  I’m gonna share with you some things I personally KNOW fits in here and wraps nicely and your kids will love.  Take a look at this picture first:

That’s right, I can roll that coloring book up put it in the foil pouch, take the 6 crayons out of the box and put them in a small zip bag and slip it right in the middle of the coloring book roll, seal the envelope and wrap it and it turn it into a perfect item for birthday or holiday goodie bags.  The sunglasses, yes they fit too and the Easter bunny brought these to my boys last year and they love them.  Here is a list of other items I don’t have that will also fit:

• Lance 6-Cracker packs (other snack packs this size)
• hot chocolate packets
• granola bars
• protein bars
• baby biter biscuits
• snack size 100 calorie packs
• Check , money or gift card (instead of getting those mundane cards in the card section at the store! (perfect for birthdays, Christmas and Graduations)
• sticker sheets
• chewing gum packs (I know borderline candy…but choose sugar free types)
• small craft kits
• key chains
• long bead necklaces (great for princess party)
• 7” deflated beach ball (Easter bunny brought this for my boys one year too..another winner!)
• mini markers or pens and note pad

This list can go on and on but I’ll stop here cause I bet now your mind is racing with ideas!

Now for the mintbook, which is one of my favorite products because it is so versatile as well!  I just love these little things.

I know, this picture has candy in it but I just want you to see a mintbook as you’re reading.  It’s a cute little 2/2” match book looking thing but it hides a better surprise inside than matches!  Now take a look at this group of “stuff”:

If you’re thinking that stuff might be able to fit into a mintbook then you are CORRECT!  Look at those non-candy items for mintbooks.  By adding one little zip bag the possibilites are endless.  Here you see, necklace, bracelet, emergency sewing kit, lapel pins (American Flag and Jesus Love Me), a pencil.  The pencil fits by simply punching holes at the top and bottom of the mintbook and taping closed rather than using a staple.  I send Zack to school with Mintbook pencils frequently for holidays and use a holiday themed pencil.  What kid doesn’t like a new cool pencil?  I even like getting them!  Here are some more options that I don’t have pictures of:

• temporary tattoos
• small keychain
• earrings
• coins
• hair bows

What else can you think of to fit into a mintbook?  Sometimes it doesn’t have to actually fit in the mintbook, the mintbook can be used like a tag similar to the pencils. 

We have other non-candy items that we’ve been introducing and are great goodie bag and gift options:

• lip balm
• mini bubble bottles
• water bottle labels (I use petite bottled water at my kids parties and offer sugar free drink packets to pour in them)
• Gift cans (decorated gallon sized paint cans…you fill them)

We do have many pictures with our candy options but that does not mean we can’t or won’t substitute for non-candy options per your request.  We are glad to do that for you!  I agree we need to make this more public and let it be known loud and clear that we don’t just offer candy with our products.  So if you see a product you like but you don’t want to get candy you just let me know and we’ll find a solution for you and we also sell wrappers and labels only and you can use them with an item you found!  We give you complete assembly instructions for any Do-It-Yourself Orders!

Celebrating life’s precious moments and personlizing them for you!

Kristal

*Feel free to email us with any questions and/or suggestions to krea...@sweetexpressionsllc.net

Now that I’ve recapped the many other unique uses for our current products I’m sure you’re wondering what’s this NEW product she mentioned?  I do believe you’re going to love it and there will be many designs to choose from as we gather supplies, improve the design and brainstorm ideas and implement the ones stuck in our heads now.  As always special requests are accepted and even encouraged.  If you like this and you have a specific color combo in mind, let us know and we will create it for you at the same cost as our premade!  Best of all these have the option of being personalized just for you. 

Drum roll please……the New Product is a unique and oh, so cute.  This one I made with my 10 month old in mind because I noticed I do not have one picture of her on my desk.  Since I mentioned desk these are not just for your desk but for anywhere you want to display pictures in your home and you don’t have a ton of space for frames. 

Ta da:

Isn’t this super cute?!  I’ve created a cute little princess themed photo holder for my little princess and I have included the personalization of her name, that’s it’s a newborn picture and the year (although I just realized I put the wrong year on hers.  um…she was born in 2010, LOL)  I won’t do that to yours I promise!  If by chance I do you’ll receive a digital proof to look over and you’ll have a chance to correct me.  If you’ve seen these before I’m sure you know that most of this is made with some type of cardstock.  Well typically they probably are but what I’m using is a little more durable because we all know what will happen if you have this on a table or desk at home and your little one gets their sticky, greasy or wet fingers on the cardstock.  It could be ruined!  Not this one, we are printing our designs on waterproof, tear proof, smudge proof paper.  The same paper we use to create our water proof labels for bottles and paint cans. Even the circles with the personalization are waterproof so even if you have a spill at your desk your label will be safe.  I can’t say the same for your photo.  What else does ours have that the others don’t?  We are also including a clear sleeve to protect your photo before you place it in the holder.  That’s not gonna make it totally waterproof but it will be protected much like a piece of paper in a notebook where you’ve used page protectors.  These are intended to use with 4×6 pictures.  Perfect for your digital photos you take while out and about cause you know from time to time you get a really cute one you want to show off and look at frequently.

What’s the cost of something as cute as this that is totally personalized?  $3.25 and postage for just one is $1.49!  You’re probably gonna want more than one at a time though.

Not only are these great for photos they are great for name place cards at events, recipe cards, table numbers, holiday cards…what else can you think of using them for? 

That’s what inspired this design, which is available in a Birthday Party Pack!  Do you have an Idol fan in your house?  Maybe not so much an Idol fan but there were many new watchers this year due to the young talent nearing the end of the season so maybe your just a 2011 AI fan!  Nevertheless, you will love this rockin’ Birthday Idol theme.  Perfect for your tween or teen son/daughter to celebrate their next birthday.  This is also perfect if your girl is turning 16 and she’s not a girly, girl “Sweet 16″ type.

It rocks right?  I mean when it’s your birthday you always rock and so you should celebrate accordingly.

This theme is brand new and is available in a PARTY PACK in our online store.  Since it is so brand new we don’t have any pictures yet of printed products so those will come at a later date.

The back can be personalized with your own message or we can create one for you or maybe you like the “ingredients” list on the back…don’t worry these are fun and festive and celebrate YOU!

So, when does your Idol have their next birthday?

The kid’s birthday’s in our house start in May and as a matter of fact my 2nd oldest child’s birthday is tomorrow the 27th!  He’ll be 4 years old.  I have to tell ya I’d love to sit a decorate an elaborate cake for his birthday but I’ll be honest, I don’t have a lot of time and I certainly don’t have the energy.  Maybe next year when the baby will be nearing 2 I can get back into making a “cool” cake.  Since my home business is making birthday party favors that’s what I like to get elaborate with.  Not only are they parting gifts for your guests but while the party is going on they serve as awesome decoration pieces.

So where do I pick my budget battle and how do I save money and keep a birthday party down to a minimum?  I’ve learned a lot over the years and these are my tips and trust me your kids will NEVER know the difference!

• Pick one thing to express their favorite theme such as say Scooby Doo (either the plates and other deco or a cake but not both)  you can always opt for cupcake picks rather than a decorated cake to keep the theme going.
• Consider using paper products in coordinating colors to match your themed cake, you get more plates and cups for your money!
• Offer bottled water and single serving drink packets for guests rather than juice or soda
• schedule the party during an “off meal” time so you don’t feel compelled to feed everyone lunch or supper and just stick to cake and a little icecream and maybe chips (I like salty with my sweet) LOL
• Also, schedule the party during a time that you know your child is at his/her best if that time is around a meal time then by all means supply your guests with some pizza.  I recommend Little Ceasers or Cici’s carry out…cheap and tasty
• for little ones probably 7 and under keep the party to 1 1/2 hours
• For a toddler make sure you give them a snack before the party, you want them with full tummies cause we all know a full tummy is a happy tummy
• Once your child is 3 or 4, you know your child and whether they can answer this or not, ask them what they want.  Do they even want a party?  What friends do they want to invite?  Would they rather have a party or do an activity with the family and their best friend?  You may be surprised at the answer.

I’m sure as parents we want to celebrate a child’s birthday so much we may be planning a party because we think they want it not because they really, really want one.  Are we planning a party for us or for them?  I’d say that I planned them more for me not the kids!  I’d be the one devastated when people couldn’t make it or cancelled.  One year that happened with one of the boys and I was so upset and vowed never to go to anyone on my list parties EVER!  Haha, well the ones that didn’t have a really good reason anyway, LOL.  So we cancelled the party and ended up taking him to play putt-putt and play arcade games and you know what I noticed?  He LOVED it…he didn’t need some huge party with lots of people running around he just wanted a few gifts, a cake and to feel extra special!  (I also noticed I wasn’t stressed, and my house didn’t get trashed).

What are we doing this year?  We have a play group we attend and we are meeting some friends at the park in the morning and I’m going to take a few cupcakes to share and of course some party favors!  Then after my oldest is home from school we will have supper, sing songs, give out a few gifts and have cake!  Saturday his grandparents and 3 cousins are coming up to celebrate so we’ll have another little family party with more cupcakes.  And I assure you he WILL be happy with just that!

What happens when you have all these little mini celebrations and you need all this cake?  just bake a cake or cupcakes and frost it and decorate it with small toys to create a scene if cake decorating is not your thing.  For play date celebrations instead of sugary treats you could opt for sharing goldfish or take sandwich bites and fruit to share…think outside the box so you don’t feel like you’re filling your kid full of sugar for 3 days straight while celebrating with everyone.  Not to mention buying cupcakes can get pricey!  Cup cake toppers have become very popular and you can find them just about anywhere cake decorating supplies are sold.

Oh and actually now most grocery stores are carrying very small cakes and placing cupcakes around the small 6 or 7 inch cake and get this…only $10!  Now that’s fabulous in my book.  We were at Sam’s Club today and I knew tomorrow was a big day and didn’t have much done with life getting in the way and finding the cake with cupcakes is just awesome and such a time saver!  If I need more cake for Saturday, that’s okay with a cake mix and whipping up some icing and printing a decoration on waterproof paper I can have another cake in no time!  :)

What ways have you started to save when planning your child’s birthday party?