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Bishop's Stortford Party Kit Hire

party supplies and kits for hire in Bishops Stortford

Choosing a party theme

May 2, 2021      Leave a Comment

So before you panic, I don’t believe all parties need a full on theme (although if you know me you might not believe that!). You can just go with your favourite colour and then pick a complementary colour and an accent colour. I’m no expert on the colour wheel and colour theory, I just Google it! That was how our wedding colours came about – bright pink for me, yellow is complementary and also happens to be my husband’s favourite colour and then bright orange was our accent colour, I loved it. If, like me, your not keen on odd numbers I’m afraid you just have to go with it. When it comes to design and decor, odd numbers really are the magic numbers.

Children’s Parties

If your children are anything like mine, they’ve usually told you about 8 months in advance what kind of party they want and then you just hope they don’t change their mind the day before.

In the world of party kit hire, character decor is not easy due to licencing laws. However, you can hire decor in the colours that match your choosen character theme and then add in a few character pieces.

For example a couple of years ago my youngest wanted a Blaze and the Monster Machines party. So I brought mini toys of his favourite characters for the cake and then went crazy with red, yellow and chequered flag table coverings and bunting, small traffic cones and mini monster truck tyres!

I’ve built up collection of character decor from previous parties and I also collect party decor from anyone who doesn’t want it to save it going to landfill. Although I can’t advertise it and hire it separately, I’m happy to include it with any other hire package, so if there is a particular character you’re after let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

If you child has a slightly more unusual theme in mind it can be a bit harder to figure out what to do and where to get anything that will work. I can help. I love to repurpose all kinds of things to make party decor. Towards the end of last year I had a request for help with a Titanic themed birthday. It was a first for me. Having thought about it I came up with light blue, light grey and white and got some beautiful bunting and happy birthday banner made up in fabrics with those colours. I then set about creating two icebergs out of cardboard and paper from the recycling along with a few other craft supplies to keep it all together along with, of course, a sinking Titanic, it was a big hit!

A first for me but I love how it turned out

Even grown ups love a party theme

Birthdays and celebrations don’t need to be boring just because your a grown up! Themes can be anything, a decade, an event, a country, just think like a child and let your imagination run wild. I’ve thrown parties based on the roaring 20’s, the Oscars, afternoon tea, the 50’s and I’m planning a fabulous flamingo, pineapple and palm leaves party for my 40th birthday in the summer.

So whatever comes to mind for the party your planning, however crazy it seems, post a comment or drop me a message and I’m sure I can come up with some ideas to make your party fabulous.

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sunshineandsmilesevents

Party Kits for Hire
I've started a Carbon Literacy course with the ama I've started a Carbon Literacy course with the amazing @sustainableish today.

One of the things that really hit me is that to solve this problem we as individuals need to talk about it more.  We don't for many reasons but in my case it's because I'm not sure anyone else is that bothered or will ask me questions I can't answer.  But the point is that starting the conversation is the start of finding solutions and changes (I'll put some of the easier ones I've made/am planning to make in my stories)  So I'm putting out there:

I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS

Would love to know what you think about it - let's start the conversation

Would also love to hear any eco swaps / changes you've made

Rach x

Photo credit - Ronan Furuta

#climatecrisis #weneedtotalk #starttheconversation #ecoswaps #bethechangeyouwanttosee
Hello amazing Insta family. Sorry I've been so ab Hello amazing Insta family.

Sorry I've been so absent, home schooling and summer holidays got the better of me.

I'm hoping you can you help me please

As you know the climate crisis and ocean plastics are things that I'm really concerned about. 

I truly believe we need to teach our children about these issues from a young age.

I set up a crowdfunding page to try and get the amazing Wild Tribe Hereos books in to all primary schools in Bishop's Stortford.

There are two days left for donations and if you can spare even £1 it would be a massive help.

If you can share with everyone you know that is equally as amazing! 

If you want to know more about the books or the project then just shout.

THANK YOU!!xx

Https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-our-children-understand-environmental-issues

@wildtribeheroes 

#climatecrisis #oceanplastics #teachourchildren #teachourkids #bishopstrotfordmums #bishopsstortford #ecoliving
Paper packaging from IKEA and washing tape makes f Paper packaging from IKEA and washing tape makes for beautiful birthday presents.  Paper can be easily recycled and no money spent.  I'll be saving all paper packaging now!

What do you use to wrap presents?

#birthday #wrapping #reuse #washitape #brownpaperpackages #ecoideas #reusereducerecycle
Love how this turned out! And I couldn't waste th Love how this turned out!

And I couldn't waste the off cuts so have turned a random chopping board in to a lovely mini serving tray type thing - just the right size for a couple of glasses of fizz 🥂

@fayejennifervinyldesign I might have to cover everything in your amazing vinyl!

#partydiy #flamingos #flamingoparty
So the big reception class party has had to be pus So the big reception class party has had to be pushed back to September 😢

Which means it's now full speed ahead for my 40th flamingo luau! 🦩🦩🌺🌺🥂🍾

Absolutely love this amazing vinyl from @fayejennifervinyldesign 

@hobbycrafthq is my go to for MDF or mache numbers

#birthdaycelebrations🎉 #partydiy #flamingoparty #flamingos #diypartydecor
You might have seen me talk about these books befo You might have seen me talk about these books before.  We discovered them last year and the boys and me love them! There any amazing way to get children thinking and taking about issues such as ocean plastics and climate change without terrifying them.

They're already in schools up and down the country but I think they should be in every school in the UK, in fact the world (I am a bit all or nothing!). To start with though I'm going with all primary schools and preschools in Bishop's Stortford and surrounding villages.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-our-children-understand-environmental-issues

Link also in my bio

If I've tagged you it's because this is your Community and I'm hoping you'll be able to help by sharing the crowdfunding page with everyone you know or maybe making a donation if you can.

If you're not in Bishop's Stortford but would love the idea of the project then  please get in touch.

Thank you!

#wildtribeheroes #booksinschool #ecoeducation #climatechangebooksforkids #endoceanplastics #bishopstortfordmums #bishopsstortfordschools #ecoliving #ecofriendlyliving #climateaction
My climate anxiety wasn't helped by the fact that My climate anxiety wasn't helped by the fact that I thought I was the only person thinking my small changes would actually make a difference.  Then I discovered the fabulous @sustainableish and she made me feel much better about the small changes I could make.  If you get a chance I definitely recommend reading her fab book The Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting.  It includes a whole section on parties and the wonders of party kits.

If you're in Bishop's Stortford and would like to borrow my copy let let know!

#bishopsstortfordparties #bishopstortfordmums #sustainablelife #ecopartyplanning #doyourbit #ecoliving #ecoideas
I'm not one for getting in front of the camera but I'm not one for getting in front of the camera but thought I'd better say hello again as I've got a lot of lovely new followers - thank you!

I'd like to say the me on the left is the every day me but that would be far from the truth!

So I'm Rachel, mum of 2, full time day job, massive lover of parties, tutus, flamingos, pineapples and all things sparkly.

Sunshine & Smiles started off as my way of making sure I never forgot my dream of an events business.  Then in lockdown #1, while looking more in to the climate crisis, sustainability and generally all things eco friendly, I decided to start up a party kit for hire.  The amount if single use plastic at birthday parties is crazy and I want to do what I can to reduce that.

I've really been thinking about the climate crisis and how overwhelming it is.  I'm a great believer in that if we all make small changes, collectively we can make a big difference.

To that end I'm also going to be sharing eco friendly party (and non party) tips and ideas along with some fab products and businesses I've discovered.

And if you had any party questions I'd love to hear them and do my best to help xx

If you go this far a massive massive thank you 😊

#ecoalternatives #ecofriendly #ecoideas #ecoliving
#ecoparty #kidsparty #lesswaste #savetheplanet
#smallchanges #supportsmallbusiness
#zerowaste #zerowasteideas
Take a closer look at one of the fabulous books in Take a closer look at one of the fabulous books in the Wild Tribe Heroes Books.  I think you'll agree they're absolutely amazing.

If your based in Bishop's Stortford and would love to help get these books in to our local primary schools please comment below 🙂

Posted @withregram • @wildtribeheroes 👀Take a look inside my true children’s book on climate change - Hunter’s Icy Adventure! ❄️🐻‍❄️

🧊Learn about the problem of melting ice and the dangers for our fragile Arctic ecosystems.

📚Great for primary aged children - a positive, true story with a happy ending and ideas for the future. Perfect for story time or schools, all books have excellent free teaching resources. 🐻‍❄️Hunter’s Icy Adventure helps you open important conversations with your child and puts the issues into context for them.

Order your signed and dedicated copy from my website - link in the bio ❄️🐻‍❄️💚🌎 
#wildtribeheroes #climatechangebooksforkids #climatechange #arctic #polarbear #savethearctic #savethepolarbears #ecosystem #meltingice #polar #childrensbooks #booktrailer #bookpromo #sneakpeek #lookinside #bookstagram #booklover #storytime #kids #primaryschool #primaryschoolteacher #primaryschoolbookclub
Woo hoo! Parties are back! From Monday parties of Woo hoo! Parties are back!

From Monday parties of up to 30 people will be allowed outside 🥳

So if you're planning a party and would love to hire party ware to save yourself the hassle of sourcing, while helping the environment at the same time, please do get in touch.

Beautiful bright table ware and serve ware as well as themed decor kits are all available for hire.

Themed kits I currently have are flamingos, dinosaurs, rainbows, armies, monster trucks, pirates, football and unicorns.

If your after something a bit different or need help planning the party from the very beginning let me know because I'd love to help

#bishopstortfordmums #essexmums #bishopsstortfordparties #essexparties #ecofriendlytableware #ecopartyplanning #ecofriendly #reusuablepartykit #partykitnetwork #partykithire #supportsmallbusiness
I won a set of these amazing @nomnomkids sandwich I won a set of these amazing @nomnomkids sandwich bags and snack bags in a competition and they are amazing! 

I love them such, I've brought the bigger wave sandwich bags and snack bags and ice pop bags too.

There also going to feature in my first party bags but more about that later.

They're brilliant for the obvious things, sandwiches, crisps, biscuits, fruit but also great for storing left over pasta sauce etc in the freezer, trips to the refill shop for rice, the uses are endless! I ❤ them.

What do you/would you use yours for?

#reusereducerecycle #ecofriendly #reusables #bishopstortfordmums #essexmums #snacks #nosingleuseplastic
This is my kind of happy post! A box full of amazi This is my kind of happy post! A box full of amazing snack bags from the wonderful @nomnomkids 

My boys love their snacks but they're not all for them.  They're going to be part of the party bags for the big class birthday party I'm putting together 😁

Also a few wave sandwich bags and snacks for my and hubby and some fab ice pop bags for when the sunshine comes back.

Thanks as always to the amazing Suzanne for the best customer service

#mumsinbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #ecofriendlyparty #ecofriendlyproducts #reusables #snacks #kidspartybags #bishopsstortfordparties #bishopsstortfordkidsparies #bishopstortfordmums
Another week, another blog post. Hope I can keep Another week, another blog post.  Hope I can keep it up!

This week's hot topic is party themes....

Would love to know, if you love a theme, what's your favourite?

Find it here https://sunshineandsmilesevents.com/index.php/blog-posts/

#bishopsstortfordparties #bishopsstortfordkidsparties #ecofriendlyparty #birthdaycelebrations🎉 #mumsinbusiness #bishopstortfordmums #partyobsession #essexparties #essexpartiesforkids #ecopartybags #ecoparty #essexkidsparties #partytheme #kidsparties
Totally forgot to post this when it was actually E Totally forgot to post this when it was actually Easter!

I wanted to try out the compostable palm leaf plates from @littlecherrytableware and they are fabulous! Looked amazing and much strong than you think.

Also super pleased with how my @pennyandloucafe coffee sack table runner turned out.  I think I might even make some more 🙂

#throwbackthursday #reusereducerecycle #repurpose #sunshine #palmleaftableware
Check out these fab tips on avoiding food waste at Check out these fab tips on avoiding food waste at parties from @partykitnetwork

Posted @withregram • @partykitnetwork Today is Stop Food Waste Day 🍏🗑

When it comes to food waste, parties can be particularly wasteful - the fear of under-catering is very real for many of us. 😬

In the UK we threw away a staggering 6.6 million tonnes of household food waste in 2018. And to make matters worse, it's estimated that nearly 70% of that food could have still been eaten.

Here's our tips for planning food for a party and what to do with any leftovers... 

👉 https://www.partykitnetwork.org/post/ways-to-avoid-food-waste-at-parties 
✨ LINK TO BLOG IN BIO

•••
🥳 Find a party kit: www.partykitnetwork.org/find
🥳 Start a party kit: www.partykitnetwork.org/start
🥳 Join the network: www.partykitnetwork.org/join
•••
#StopFoodWasteDay #StopFoodWasteDay2021 #stopfoodwaste #avoidfoodwaste #partyfood #dontwastefood #nomorefoodwaste #avoidingfoodwaste #ideastoavoidfoodwaste #avoidfoodwasteideas #partyplanning #ecopartyplanning #kidspartyplanning
This is a long post, but I’m not going to apolog This is a long post, but I’m not going to apologise as it’s something I think is really important.

I came across these amazing books last year and Sebastian and Lucas love them! 

The @wildtribeheroes books are written by a lovely Cornish author called Ellie who is writing the world's number one selling true book series about real environmental issues such as ocean plastic, balloon releases, fishing nets, palm oil and climate change. 

A great way for children to learn about these issues, the books use a gentle and positive approach without upsetting or overwhelming them.  They will be inspired to learn about issues such as litter, recycling, climate change and hopefully they will start important conversations with their families about how we can all help make a difference.

The books have already reached over 1.5 million children in schools across the UK and have received personal support from Sir David Attenborough.

Ellie would love to get these books in all schools and I’m fully on board with that idea. In fact I’m going to do everything I can to get the books in all primary schools in Bishop’s Stortford, Cayman and the Alligator Pond area of Jamaica. 

Luckily for those of you in Cornwall, all Cornish primary schools already have a set.

A full set of 6 books and all the teaching resources are available at a great price as part of the Books in Schools Project.

So if you have any contacts in schools in Bishop’s Stortford or Cayman, or contacts at any businesses who may like to sponsor a set of books please let me know! Or if you’re somewhere different and want a set for your local school I can definitely help with that too!

#booksinschool #climatechange #ecoalternatives #ecokids #plasticpolution #bishopstortfordmums #ecoliving #weallneedtodoourbit #smallchanges
So where did my party obsession begin you ask....? So where did my party obsession begin you ask....? 

Well here's all you need to know! It's been ages since I've written a blog post but if you've got a spare 5 minutes I'd love to know what you think.

Find it here https://sunshineandsmilesevents.com/index.php/blog-posts/

#bishopsstortfordparties #bishopsstortfordkidsparies #ecofriendlyparty #birthdaycelebrations🎉 #mumsinbusiness #bishopstortfordmums #partyobsession #essexparties #essexpartiesforkids #ecopartybags #ecoparty
Happy Earth Day! Check out these fab tips from Jen Happy Earth Day! Check out these fab tips from Jen over at the @knackeredmumsecoclub

Posted @withregram •

 @knackeredmumsecoclub HAPPY EARTH DAY!!

Although I think it's safe to say that we don't have a Happy Earth at the moment. 

Here's 5 easy things you can TODAY to help:

1. Change your search engine to @ecosia - it's the search engine that plants trees.

2. Move your energy supplier to a renewable tariff - check out @bigcleanswitch for an energy comparison site that only lists renewable tariffs.

3. Make a veggie or vegan meal - remember beans on toast is veggie AND the kids will probably eat it 🤣

4. Find out how well or otherwise your bank performs when it comes to investing YOUR cash in fossil fuels on @switchit.money and then switch if it turns out they're planet wrecking bastards.

5. Share your concern for the planet with others and any actions you take!

Tell me one thing you love about our wonderful planet, and one thing you're doing to help it today 💚

Wonderful pic from Rosie Made A Thing 📷

#earthday2021 #topecotips
Yay we can celebrate Easter weekend with people ot Yay we can celebrate Easter weekend with people other than those we live with!!!

If you fancy making your Easter celebrations a little extra special this year why not hire some fabulous crockery from @elsierosecrockery 

Usual day hire only, @elsierosecrockery are offering a fabulous Easter hire package for the whole Easter weekend - 4 days instead of 1!

The package includes all the crockery you need for afternoon tea, including teapots and cakestands, along with the special addition of Easter props (as pictured with daffodils) and local delivery and collection

All this for 4 days

6 people - £35
8 people - £40
(DM if you require more and @elsierosecrockery will give you a price)

For an additional £18 for 6 you can add on some yummy Easter brownies and/or cookies from @layersgraces 

Finally, if you have have small hands that might not mix well with crockery you can add on one of my virtually indestructible afternoon tea packages for £10.  I'll also include some of the Easter colouring sheets designed especially for Sunshine and Smiles.

If you've got this far - thank you! And please comment below or DM if you'd like to book or have any questions.

Have a lovely Sunday x
After and before! Beautiful flowers obviously take After and before! Beautiful flowers obviously take a while to grow!

Tuesday is the last day to order the Easter Create and Decorate gift bags

#eastergifts #easterdecor #supportsmallbusiness #ecoalternatives #easter #flamingos #dinosaurs
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