The Top 10 Party Trends I Don't Want to See Anymore

Trust me. I am in no position in the party industry to be writing this post, I have been blogging all of a month...? It is so overly presumptuous of me I keep trying to stop my hands from typing- but I can't. And this post isn't for everyone so give me a moment to clarify. If you're a mellow party planner who stumbled across this blog post- this is not for you. My hat is off to you if you're ordering some Costco pizzas and having a few kids over for a non-themed sleepover. I am writing this for people who LOVE planning parties, mostly moms like myself who are crazy party people (oh- admit it already, at least it's not quilting...yet...) who love making every party over the top and better than the last. This post's for you babe.

This all started when I came across this adorable blog called One Stylish Party and I read her Trend Forecast for 2013. It was dead on- seriously, she nailed it. And I was kind of bummed she nailed it because I was planning to put together something very similar...(well, not nearly as cute) but just the brass tacks of what I've been seeing in party trends for 2013. And sure, I still could...but it got me thinking. What party trends are DONE? What am I seriously SO sick of seeing? Now brace yourself, you ARE most likely going to disagree with me (up to 99.9% of you maybe?) so then, why can't I stop typing?! Just bear with me, please? You see, I really DO have a background in trend forecasting... I am not even sure how to prove this, call my last big employer? I worked in an industry for 5 years (read here for more) where we made trend boards daily and just trust me, I know when trends are over or on there way out, tomorrow.

One last plug before you leave me... anything that gets done 5,000 different ways is just that- done. The people have seen it. If you're an aspiring party planner, like myself- it is in my opinion, important to set yourself apart with unique themes, color palettes and if it's a dessert table: unique desserts. So... having said that...

The Top 10 Party Trends I Either Want To See WAY Less of...or Not At All in 2013...

1. The Little Man/ Little Mister Party or Boy Baby Shower. If I see one more mustache on a toddler I'm gonna ralph. We've been celebrating the mustache craze since 2010. It's been 3 years people. Let's move on. (Move it on to the bow tie if you love the "Little Mister" idea so much, also give it a new name?). LOTS of cute bow tie party ideas out there right now. If you have a party where the character LITERALLY has a mustache, ex: Mario or Captian Hook- then hey! mustache it up! Otherwise. Stop. There are obviously a couple exceptions to any dead trend...one of them lies in this amazingly well done Little Mister party by Lux Events. Anything done this well escapes all judgement. Other than this please see the Bow Tie party below it and take a hint.

                           Super delish looking Bow Tie Party below party by My Sweet & Saucy

2. The Rainbow Layer Cake. It's done. Move on. At least do it in pastels, ombre, black and white- whatever...a new twist makes it (almost) totally new again. Put it in a push pop for goodness sakes, I just did and anything "mini" becomes new again. Just please change it up.

3. The HERSHEY Bar Gender Reveal Party Favor. It was crazy clever, I know it. And then Pinterest got it and everyone did it in one month. Which is fine- you got in before it got killed. But now it's dead, so leave it alone. Plenty of other Gender Reveal ideas... I'll be showing off some on this blog at the end of March.

4. Apothocary Jars. Oh dear, I've gone too far. I know, you're getting mad. "My JARS??!" you're thinking... maybe you even just yelled out, "But I just bought a set, and they were $70!" Hear me out. They were classy. They were quaint. They were even hard to find. Now they're at Ross, Target, Michael's and Walmart. Whenever I see a party trend at ALL of the mass retailers, I've officially moved on. Now I'm not saying I'll never use them, because I will from time to time. But use them on a party theme that fits. Easter party? Check! Tea Party? Check! Every party you ever throw does not need 3 jars at different heights filled with pink and blue shiny gumballs. You can do better. There are so many jars, vases, mugs, etc. that you can fill with sweets. Find something that will set you apart, that is always my goal (in life too, actually).

5. Paper (ehhhhhh...) Straws (ahhhhhh!)
NO. Take it back. Ok, I do. No I don't. Ahhh, I'm so confused! Ok, let's compromise. Paper straws are totally adorbs. I use them a ton and I love them. They go with plenty of party themes. But a Construction Party they do NOT go with, (unless it's these Birch wood paper straws by Kikkerland?!) So do you get it? Any twist on the normal striped straw- totally ok: Floral straws? Polka Dots? Hearts? Chevron? (But oh, chevron, you're not so safe yet- we'll get to you....) ALL adorable new ways of keeping a great party idea around and not burning it out. One last paper straw note- NO more naked straws. It's almost offensive to see a missed opportunity on a paper straw- esp. if it's a plain striped one. Lots of cute ideas for dressing up straws (flags, ribbons, glitter foam stickers), I even recently saw straw tassels and mini cupcakes shoved through and used this idea in our St. Patty's Day shoot.

6. The Half Backdrop/ Un-Ironed Linens and Plastic Table Clothes. These are not necessarily trends, quite the opposite- I just NEED to address them. Let's start with backdrops... Trust me, when it comes to backdrops I have made some HUGE mistakes and I'm a repeat offender... I'm learning with every party- it's probably been my very biggest learning curve. The backdrop that is a sheet of wood or foam core covered in fabric or wrapping paper set behind a table (been there, done that) well, let me tell you something: it doesn't photograph well. Maybe for detail shots, but people want to see the whole table and from a full view- it looks like you're missing something if your backdrop is smaller than your (typically) 6 ft. table. It needs to be BIG (covering wide and tall enough so that when you or your photog steps back you can see a full view of your table and your backdrop isn't cutting shorter than the table). The shot is just awkward otherwise. Get a fully established collapsible backdrop that you can use behind every dessert table. Un-ironed Linens: Oh dear Lord, I JUST invested in a legit steamer, what the heck was I waiting for?! It takes SO much away from the table if you're starring at wrinkled linens in the photos. The detail shots of my husband's Grandmother's 90th were gorg, but in the full view- all I see are wrinkles and an awkward, too tall backdrop. I've learned from that table. End of story. Plastic Table Clothes: NO, NO, NO. I don't care that they're $1.00. Find a white linen 72" table cloth at Walmart for $10.99 and a fun table runner. The only time plastic is ok is if you're throwing a party at Chuck E Cheese.

7. Chevron. Ok, I have a chevron rug, I need to get that out of the way like asap. I like chevron, we've been good friends since 2011. I think it's a fun and modern design. But to see it in every party detail, let's get over that. No more entire large chevron print backdrops please- they're done. If you want a touch of chevron- try something more unique.... like maybe chevron baking cups or cookie bags?

8. Baker's Twine. It's cute. I can see its use. But just remember, there are a LOT of adorable ribbons out there. Just because the big party blogs are showing baker's twine tied around everything doesn't mean you need to tie your cookies and every other tie-able thing with it. I've never used it. I don't think I ever will. I am a real fan of different kinds of ribbons.

9. Washed Out Photography. Trust me- my eyes are 20/20. I'm good in the vision department. So then why can I hardly see most of the professional photography that's being taken of these amazing parties lately? It seems to be a trend. Well guess what, that trend sucks. I want to actually SEE your party details. Not some sun shining on your pennants to make them look artsy. I mostly see this is the whole Shabby Chic party themes...Oh no...here we go...

10. Shabby Chic Parties. Like with the Mister Man Party, I have seen only one exception in the last year of a perfectly done Shabby Chic party, but I'm sure there are plenty more because 5 out of 10 parties I seen on the party blogs are SC. Now ladies. Rachel Ashwell has had her 15 minutes. If you want something girly and pastel pink- try a cotton candy party for goodness sakes! (I totally just made that up and I want to do one). Themes are endless. Brainstorm it out. Here is my one exception for this theme by Fanciful Events... kind of a Carousel Shabby Chic rendition... that backdrop is simply amazing.

...and I didn't even mention Mason Jars, because you already knew that right? 

Now WHAT am I going to do with my 3 dozen... OHHH! How about: tint them, dip the rims in chocolate, glitter the sides, tie a big bow around them...do you get the gist?! Do it ALL differently. But don't do a mustache- like ever again. Unless you get paid $1,000 minimum- then it's totes ok.

Hope you don't hate me. And if you do, I'm just getting started... 

xo Party or Die xo

kenna