PARTY HATS

Announcing the new Party Hats Entertainment Website!

2012-01-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

PartyHats.org has gone through several upgrades since it's beginnings in the mid-90s when internet was just getting it's start. Much like the company, it has evolved and improved in more ways than one.
For the past 6 months or so, our team has been working on updating the entire website (when they weren't busy planning fabulous parties).

Here are some of the improvements we've made:

Brand new Event Types and Themes Page
New Fascinator and Accessories galleries
Brand new mobile site for phones
Updated Party in a Box with simple order form
Updated photos in all galleries

Check out the new changes here:

We are open to your feedback and suggestions. If you have any comments please e-mail fiona@partyhats.org.

Party Hats does Technology

2011-12-05T13:55:00.000-08:00

This weekend, we had two events: one in San Diego and one in San Francisco.
The San Diego event was for Entropic Communications and was dueling piano themed. The event was for about 250 people, and we ran out of hats within 30 minutes of the event's beginning! Everyone had a great time decorating their hats!

Couple in decorated hat and fascinator.

The San Francisco event was for our technology idols, GOOGLE!!! Google has several different holiday parties (as you can imagine); this one was for the Android division. Their event was at the beautiful San Francisco Design Center and had 2000 guests! We had about 700 pieces of masks and hats to be decorated. Everyone loved our hats and masks, and we used all 700 pieces! Once we ran out of pieces, people began to make their own creations out of our decorations without using our hats. People made bow ties, bracelets, belts, headbands, and necklaces! We were astonished by the creativity!

We have a huge Bat Mitzvah next weekend in Dallas. It is going to be board game themed, we've got hats decorated as Monopoly, Clue, Guess Who?, and Twister! This event is going to be amazing, and is being filmed for an upcoming reality TV show. We can't wait! Stay tuned for more about this party...

Party Hats Entertainment Supports Women

2011-10-31T15:51:00.000-07:00

We recently donated a Party in a Box to Lunafest, a short film festival sponsored by Luna Bar. The thing that most attracted us to the LunaFest is that it is a festival by, for, and about women. Lunafest will be traveling through 150 cities, and all proceeds go to local non-profit organizations and the Breast Cancer Fund.

We donated our hats and decarations to the Wine Country Lunafest in Rohnert Park. It is on November 13th. They have made a movie about our hats, what they are doing with them, and all the fun activites that will be happening:

You can learn more about LunaFest, and find one near you at LUNAFEST.

Introducing: the New Fascinator Line

2011-10-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

After months and months of research and development, we have finalized our custom-designed line of Fascinators. In the last few blog posts, we explored the different types of Fascinators we've been making, and the events that we have successfully debuted our new creations at.

With that, we'd like to introduce our brand new Fascinator Line: exclusive to Party Hats Entertainment!

The Mini-Me Fascinator

The perfect little top hat on a headband. It comes in multiple colors and fabrics, ready to decorate!

The Cabaret Fascinator

This funky piece comes in a variety of colors and fabrics, and is ready for it's custom decor!

The Headband Fascinator

Each original Headband Fascinator comes in a variety of colors and styles, we have bows, cupcakes, and flowers. Most of these come pre-decorated, but can be personally adorned with your own touch.

The Pearl Garland

These 1920's inspired pieces come on a brightly colored pearl garland. They are pre-decorated with gems, feathers, horsehair-weaved designs, and jewels.

We are constantly working to create new designs! Stay-tuned for more Fascinators and parties featuring our new line!

A Fascinator set-up at our most recent event!

One additional announcement!!!

When we aren't creating original hair pieces, we are working on our new website! We will be updating our galleries, pages, and overall look. We will make the big announcement when everything is up and running!

Spanish Fascinators at The San Diego Museum of Art

2011-07-27T11:28:00.000-07:00

Art Museums are a natural fit for Party Hats Entertainment. We've worked at the Guggenheim, the San Francisco Museum of Art, and now finally our own San Diego Museum of Art. We were invited to participate in "Culture and Cocktails- From El Greco to Dali," where we made Spanish inspired fascinators for the ladies. This event was coordinated by the incredible Sarah Grossman, who handles all the events at SDMA. She is very talented and always has the most creative events!

Sarah went all out for this Culture and Cocktails, which had a great Spanish feel. They had spicy sangria, beer tastings, flamenco dancing and us, of course!

We used red and black decorations with tons of flowers and feathers to stick with the Spanish theme. The women had a great time making fascinators that matched their outfits and wore them proudly throughout the exhibit halls. Soon, we became the talk of the event, and more ladies came to our corner to create their own work of art!

We had a fantastic time at SDMA. We were lucky enough to be able to spend some time walking through the exhibits, too. We are looking forward to future opportunities to work more events at SDMA, and other art museums. There is nothing better than helping people create their very own works of art while being surrounded by inspiring paintings by famous artists!

SDMA's exhibit: From El Greco to Dali is running through November 6, so if you haven't seen it yet, you can still catch it. This is the only Museum in the US to have it!

Fascinators are Fascinating!

2011-03-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

"Fascinators" are the newest addition to our fabulous hat assortment and have turned out to be a big hit at events! They're so versatile that they can go from fun and cute, to Lady Gaga funky to an elegant and stylish hairpiece for formal affairs. We are happy to see how ladies from young to young at heart enjoy decorating these hairpieces and making their very own creations according to their style. Even if fully decorated pieces are ordered, women enjoy choosing and wearing these individual works of art. Just take a look and see how we're Fascinating with our Fascinators!

Convention in Orlando

2011-03-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

We are getting ready to showcase at The Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International aka ACCED-I. We are looking forward to meeting a whole new group of planners and premiering our new festival package. We are calling it Party Hats State. It's the original state of fun!! If you are interested in the convention here is a link to their site:

http://www.acced-i.org/imis_web/StaticContent/1/AC11/home.htm

If you want more info give us a call and help us spread the fun one event at a time!!

I'm Back!!

2011-03-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

Yes, my blog is up and running again! It's been a busy year for both Party Hats and my venue Hidden Valley Retreat (www.hiddenvalleyspa.com). I've also been attending a workshop called the Landmark Forum. It is an incredble program to bring about positive change in the quality of life. My goals are to stop worrying and to stay better in touch with my friends and clients. Part of that development is being more active on my blogs and facebook. So, stay tuned for what's going on.

Five Simple Tips for a Budget Friendly Party

2009-03-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

By now, we are all aware of the world anthem that is currently making its way around the globe, -from the newspapers to the televisions and from the radios to the Internet, - today’s recession blues have all of us singing cost-efficient refrains.
Here are five high notes for stretching your event resources and getting the biggest bang out of that shrinking dollar.

1.) At the top of every budget minded person’s list should be the use of multi-purpose vendors as well as the inclusion of a diverse,
and well-rounded event staff. Your onsite staff should be qualified to not only show off your product(s), but to deliver them with style and grace. These relatively outgoing folk should also be equipped with interpersonal skills, at least enough so that they can also sell your product(s). I.e. Multi-lingual tongues are a huge bonus. Classé Catering, out of Albany, New York, employs a Cru team that can communicate with guests in French, Italian, German, Arabic, and English. (classecatering.com)

2.) Do your research! Find local rental companies in your area that offer an array of products, such as: linens, chairs, tables, tableware, tents, dance floors, lighting, audio and power distribution, & more, and save big on your rental delivery. Alexander Party Rentals, in the Seattle/Tacoma area, is a one-stop shop that also offers a pickup option. Don’t be afraid to bargain for what you need or want, and ask what it will take to bring your costs down. (alexanderpartyrentals.com)

3.) When choosing your venue, be flexible in your dates. Choose off-season times of the year, or choose Friday or Sunday if you are planning a wedding. Find an all-inclusive venue that includes rentals as well as accommodations. This will save you money, time and energy in the long run. The Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa in San Diego County, offers weekend and weekly wedding packages in which the wedding party has exclusive use of an 11-acre property that can sleep up to 39 people and host 150 daytime users. (hiddenvalleyspa.com)

4.) Request that your caterer pre-make your food then bring it over and serve it with minimal effort. Tapas and Sangria are a sophisticated yet low-maintenance option that require little to no staffing. If your budget is really tight, ask if you can pick the food up yourself. Catered for You, in Ft. Worth, Texas, offers reasonable party trays, returnable centerpieces, and affable bar service, that will have your guests returning to the days of delightful feasts and Shakespearean banquets. (cateredforyou.com)

5.) Instead of emptying your pockets for a large scale, headlining attraction, hire an interactive entertainment company to bring the décor as well as the take-home keepsakes. The nationally recognized Party Hats Entertainment Company has a “party-in-a-box” option in which their specialty, handcrafted hats are shipped out to you. You do the set-up and the staffing, and save! Plus, your guests leave your event with a unique memento that can either bring back the memorable laughter for years to come or be recycled. (partyhats.org)

Ultimately, the biggest tip of all, however, is to remember why we party in the first place. People come together to celebrate, and to connect. Regardless of how dire the world economy is, this most basic of human needs will remain a priority for people for eon to come. It is in our revelry that we commiserate and remember that even through this, another seemingly ‘great depression,’ we will prevail, transform, and evolve. We will live to party another day.

Corporate Team Building with Party Hats

2009-03-25T14:23:00.001-07:00

Do you need to justify the entertainment at your next corporate event? Party Hats Entertainment offers teambuilding programs, starting at just $18.00 per person. These programs include structured activities that foster a supportive environment, build open communication, and inspire cooperation and teamwork. Goal setting and goal completion are also a major component. Please contact us directly for more.

Event Solutions/Catersource Convention

2009-03-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

Last month, Party Hats Entertainment reveled in a fun-filled week in Las Vegas, Nevada, where we were found at the Event Solutions/Catersource Convention rubbing elbows with professionals in the catering and special event industries.

With our “Spin to Win” booth on the convention floor, and our electric energy lighting up dance floors across Sin City, we lit up on-looker’s faces with our zany hats and elegant costumes. We were also eager to unveil our own Party Hats Stimulus Plan for 2009(because everyone wants to entertain their guests on a budget that they can smile about!)

Party Hats Entertainment is now also pleased to offer party budget packs for the fiscally-minded. From “Brides on a Budget” to small Birthday party planners, we want your events to be affordable visions to remember. Prices begin at $6.00 per person. Please contact us directly at (619) 239-7700 for more information.

The Special Event Convention

2009-03-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

Immediately following on the heels of the Mary Kay Leadership Conference, Party Hats rushed back to San Diego and over to The Special Event Convention, which was held here in our own scenic backyard. For three days, Party Hats was the busiest, most exhilarating booth on the convention floor. We entertained hundreds of potential clients and future friends with our unique, one-of-a-kind program while rubbing elbows, breaking the ice, and doing what we do best…

Mary Kay Cosmetics & Party Hats

2009-03-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

2009 has already found the San Diego-based Party Hats Entertainment Company in Phoenix, Arizona, creating a Venetian campi (little square) amidst the inspiring art of the desert city’s brand new Convention Center. Mary Kay Cosmetics and Zoom7, Dallas’ premier Event Producers Company, expected the infamous interactive entertainment company to provide their usual fare of extravagance, excitement, and drama. For the Leadership Conference’s Moonlight Masquerade Ball, all expectations were hit far out of the ballpark. Party Hats created lush, gold fabric backdrops, complete with burgundy valences and fringed tassels, for displaying and trying on the finery of masks, gloves, and boas. Distinguished guests were further entranced by the twenty decorating tables where they could add resplendent ostrich feathers, scintillating flowers, brilliant gems, and other fine embellishments, to their sophisticated costumes. Party Hats core staff members were also on hand, pirouetting around the ball, and posing with the exuberant crowd, while dressed head-to-toe as 18th-century high court and harlequin Venetians.

Party Hats and Texas Instruments = Universal Fun for Everyone

2009-03-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

Party Hats brought a splash of cool color as well as a refreshing icebreaker to Texas Instruments’ annual convention at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas. As an international crowd of engineers was ushered into the VIP venue, Rain, they encountered an elaborate display of towering Retro Top Hats, overflowing Disco Queen Boas, and illuminating Super Fly Ties. Encouraged by lovely Party Hats Event Artists, convention goers were drawn to decorating tables where they rolled up their sleeves, stood side by side, and laughed at all of the funky decorations, from playing cards to poker chips and from dollar bills to disco balls, while merrily hot glue gunning and trimming the assorted feathers, fabrics, and fuzzy dice. Once the convention goers were dazzling in their Retro wear, they were ready to get down to Kool and the Gang.

From High Tech to High Touch: Exceeding the Needs of a Shifting Consumer Base

2009-03-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

As agents of entertainment and planners of fun and social interaction, how can we adapt and evolve to meet the consumer needs of the growing American demographic? What do these fast paced, and convenience-minded people want?
First and foremost, what the Internet revolution has addressed is that what people want most is to feel connected. Yes, it is that plain and simple. This is the platform from which Interactive Entertainment can launch itself. Experiential events move the passive convention goers, awards ceremony winners, concert patrons, and corporate partiers, into the realm of hands-on artists actively crafting an unforgettable occasion for both their self and others.
San Diego’s Party Hats Entertainment Company is a brilliant beacon shining brightly within the industry. Wielding paper bags and a glue gun, guests are encouraged (and oft times gently cajoled by the merrily charming Event Artists) to roll up their sleeves and add a little splash of rhinestone, buckle, feather, and playing card, to the company’s award-winning Top Hats, Sunhats, Admirals, Cowboys, Fedoras, or Bowlers.
The loss of words that can accompany situations where many tongues are present is filled in with rancorous laughter as men and women of all ages lose their selves in joyful play. Standing side by side at elaborate decorating tables, guests bond over the copious amount of theme-related shtick, - from dice, Sheriff’s badges, plastic fruit, and branded labels, to Disney memorabilia, General’s stars, Retro flair, and gold lamé. The handcrafted, pre-decorated hats, as well as those that are dreamed up by the hands of the willing, become elementary conversation starters and one-liners. “Hey, nice hat!’
“Ai, hand me a cracker there matey!”
Party Hats is a pageant for the senses, - along with the hands and ears, it also illuminates the eyes with visions of lavish displays of colorful boas, dazzling neckties, fantasy headband tiaras, and elegant gloves. At its core, a Party Hat is nothing more than a costume, - a silly charade and a comforting character to be acted out for an evening of revelry with strangers and friends alike. Party Hats are also a green, and eco-friendly alternative, - they are a recyclable memento to relive the laughs at home as well as a reusable keepsake to tuck away for the next big event.

Order One of Our Pre-Packed Kits Today

2009-03-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

Party Hats is pleased to offer two budget party packs.
Within the Essential Kit is:
50 hats of two styles (the Bridal and the Mad Hatter), along with all of the trims, fabric, jewelry, and other accoutrements to add on at the decorating tables that you, or your client, will need to furnish with glue guns, glue sticks, and scissors.
The Ultimate Kit also includes 50 hats of varying styles, from Mad Hatters to Top Hats and from Admirals to Cowboys, as well as all of your decorating needs including the glue guns, glue sticks, and scissors.
The Essential Kit includes 1 Decorated hat while the Ultimate Kit comes with 2 Decorated Hats. Both Kits retail at extremely reasonable rates beginning at $14.00/person for the Essential, and $19.00/person for the Ultimate.
We are also now offering an Accessory Package that includes 9 gloves, 9 Ties, 1 Decorated Pair of Gloves and 1 Decorated Tie as well as the Decoration Kit.

Entertainment for Everyone: Party Hats Exceeds Your Needs

2009-03-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

Here at Party Hats Entertainment Company we are more certain than ever that interactive entertainment and creative activity is needed in the world today. Because we know that you are eager to provide your clients with the experiential fun and ultimate icebreaker that is Party Hats Entertainment, and that you are fully invested in creating a successful event that provides your guests with both a memorable, hands-on experience as well as a take home souvenir, we are pleased to offer a new pre-packaged deal.
In response to your growing needs, our pre-packed kits are ready to go with 50 hats and decoration kits and start at only $14.00 per person. Please call us (619) 239-7700, email Fiona@partyhats.org, or visit us at www.partyhats.org, for more information.

Party Hats and the Wonderful World of Disney: An "Earmarked" Event

2009-03-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

On September 15th, 2008, Party Hats took center stage at Disney’s California Adventure Theme Park in Anaheim. Their infamous display of towering Top hats, winding yards of tulle, and tables spilling over with fine feathers, dazzling gems, hot glue guns, and scissors, wrapped down along the length of Paradise Pier. As Mickey’s big hand struck 7pm, four hundred Disney Travel Sales Representatives descended, - grabbing luxurious boas, wide brimmed sunhats, and satin gloves, and adorning their bodies with a joyful zeal. The dozen plus decorating tables all had lines, from front to back, as well as from shoulder to shoulder, of people embellishing their Tinkerbell crowns, Minnie ears, and Wizard hats with light-up pins, glow-in-the-dark buttons, and more. Party Hats, - “completely customized for you…Every theme…Every Age…Every Event Type.”

Party Hats + Your Convention

2009-03-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about warming up your convention goers with Party Hats Entertainment? Party Hats, a San Diego based interactive entertainment company, creates an elaborate display of award-winning Top Hats, Sunhats, Tiaras, Gloves, Boas, Neckties, and more, and hires lovely Event Artists to lure your guests over to decorating tables. Adorned with funky decorations, from playing cards to poker chips, these tables keep your guests busy, - hot glue gunning and adding trim to their chosen costume. Hours later, as was the case this past summer during Texas Instruments’ annual convention at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas, your guests are excited and ready to get down to the groovy tunes of the headlining event. For more information, please contact Party Hats at (619) 239-7700, email Fiona@partyhats.org, or visit us at www.partyhats.org.

Experiential Entertainment: Party Hats and Your Corporate Event

2009-03-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

In today’s high tech world, interactive engagement at any event is both a well-rounded complement as well as a necessity. After all, what the Internet Revolution has taught us is that consumers today want to feel connected. What better way than to take the once passive convention goers, awards ceremony winners, concert patrons, and corporate partiers, and place them at the helm of actively crafting an unforgettable occasion for both their self and others. Party Hats Entertainment is an award-winning special event company that specializes in this type of experiential entertainment. At its San Diego based warehouse, Party Hats creates one-of-a-kind, handcrafted hats that can be branded and designed to match any theme or colors for your corporate event. Upon arriving at your location, Party Hats erects a towering display of customized hats, boas, neckties, gloves, and more. They then lay out decorating tables of ornamental kitsch, from playing cards to poker chips and from dollar bills to disco balls, where your guests roll up their sleeves, stand side by side, and merrily chuckle while trimming assorted feathers and fabric to be hot glue gunned onto an awaiting Top Hat, Sunhat, Fedora, Bowler, Tiara, et al. The lovely Party Hats Event Artists, often times led by the high energy of owner Fiona Markowitz, will gently cajole even your most reluctant guest into the decorative fray. Party Hats is a multi-dimensional addition to any event, while also being a recyclable memento to relive the laughs at home, as well as a reusable keepsake to tuck away for the next big event. Party Hats...so much more than a pretty hat.
Party Hats Entertainment Company 2109 Newton Avenue San Diego, CA. 92113
(619) 239-7700 fiona@partyhats.org www.partyhats.org

Party Hats...Universal Fun for Everyone!

2009-03-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

Party Hats Entertainment Company is a 3-time National Award-winning event activity in which guests make their own party hat creations. After choosing a chapeau, or other costume piece designed for your event’s theme, your guests are led to decorating stations where they roll up their sleeves, stand side by side, and embellish their own unique mementos. With a glue gun in hand, guests add fine trims, resplendent flowers, and brilliant gems, to their unique, take home souvenirs.
Party Hats is the ultimate icebreaker, - it creates excitement and gets your party started.
Party Hats also offers other accessories, such as: boas, gloves, ties, masks, and more.
Turn your guests into Disco queens and Vegas high rollers, and your conventions into a wild adventure, with Party Hats the sky is the limit!
Making you look good, to your clients and to your guests, is what Party Hats does best! Party Hats…universal fun for everyone.