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• Chips and (7 Layer) Dip

  

  One of the most important things for any party is the menu. Whether you are having an elaborate meal or just serving appetizers, guests appreciate having good food to nibble on while they mingle. The ideal appetizers should be easy and inexpensive to prepare, and they also need to taste great.

  Chips are easy (just open the bag) and inexpensive but served by themselves, they are also boring, You can get a container of salsa to serve with the chips, and but unless the salsa is something really special, it is unlikely to be a source of much praise. Luckily there are many other kinds of dips you can make or buy.

  Mexicali or 7 Layer dip is a favorite for parties. It doesn’t actually have to have 7 layers, there can be more or less depending on your preferences. You can purchase premade layered dip in stores; however, it is not difficult to make yourself and it tastes much better if it is homemade.

  Here is the recipe I grew up with:

  Mexicali Dip

  In a large flat bowl, layer the following:

  2 nine ounce cans bean dip (smashed flat)
  3 ripe avocados mashed and mixed with 2 tablespoons lemonade
  ½ cup sour cream mixed with ½ cup mayonnaise and 1.25 ounces taco seasoning
  Grated cheddar and jack cheese (enough to cover the entire bowl with a thick layer)
  Chopped olives (1-2 small cans)
  Chopped green olives (1 bunch)
  Chopped tomatoes

  Serve with corn chips.

  This dip can be made a day or two in advance and kept in the fridge until the party. Be sure that if any perishable foods are going to be kept out for any length of time that they are kept at a cool temperature so they do not spoil. Placing the dip bowl over a tray of ice may be a smart idea during warm weather. You can purchase an inflatable buffet tray to fill with ice and set up on a table for a nominal cost. Another option is serve smaller portions and keep the remainder in the refrigerator or ice chest until the food that was served has been used.

  If you want to serve warm appetizers, making nachos  is another great way to serve chips at a party.

• Birthday Party Entertainers

  

  Having a birthday party for kids? How are you planning on keeping them entertained? The last thing you want to hear kids say at a party is that they are bored. Even worse, when kids don’t have constructive activities, they tend to get in trouble.

  One way to keep partygoers entertained and make the party extra special is to hire an entertainer. Clowns are a popular choice for parties. Clowns add a bit of comedy to any event and may also perform a magic show, or make balloon animals. Magicians perform amazing feats and humorous tricks to entertain adults and children alike. Balloon artists make amazing creations out of balloons. Face Painters can paint the children’s faces like their favorite animals or characters to help bring the kid’s imaginations alive or paint simple creations and fake tattoos.

  There are many other entertainers that you could choose for an event including musicians, acrobats, caricature artists, and more. Does your child have a favorite character? Consider having a costumed performer come dressed up as that character.

  Having an entertainer makes keeping kids involved in their party much simpler. A good entertainer will make your party the event all of the kids talk about for years to come… and that is one way to make sure this birthday is a happy one for the guest of honor.

• Balloon Artists for Events

  

  Recently at a family goods consignment sale, a balloon artist made a teddy bear for my son. It took him a few tries as a couple balloons popped as he tried to make the complicated bends and turns, but the finished balloon sculpture was amazing. Frankly I am surprised that any of the balloons survive to make a sculpture with all of the twisting and bending they go though. I can’t even blow those thin balloons up, let along make animals out of them.

  Balloon sculpting reminds me of origami, but instead of folding paper, the person is folding a balloon which could pop at any moment. The concept is simple and you can find instructions for making basic balloon animals online , but to get really good at making the sculptures takes a lot of practice and a bit of luck.

  A balloon artist is definitely a skilled craftsman and many of them are talented entertainers as well. Kids love watching creatures take shape out of the balloons and the finished creations make great party favors. To add a little extra fun to a party, get a balloon artist who is dressed up in costume as a favorite character or a clown. Balloon artists are wonderful for birthday parties and all sorts of events, especially events with kids involved.