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August 13, 2016

Why Your Inner Child Needs to Throw a Lisa Frank Party

Close your eyes and try to remember that era in your life when your everyday soundtrack was nothing but boy bands and everything you owned was covered in neon rainbows and cute baby animals. That was the time when Lisa Frank ruled the world of pre-teen girls and she’s making a major comeback. With a new line of Lisa Frank clothes at RageOn and even a few exclusive items at major department stores, we’re getting some serious nostalgia and we think this calls for a celebration. Why not throw yourself the dream party you never had at 13 with some rainbow eats and Lisa Frank party favors and decor that give you Cash Back at Ebates? Can’t think of a single reason? We didn’t think you could.

Homemade rainbow marshmallows and white chocolate make for some seriously psychedelic smores your guest will think are almost too pretty to eat.

Who says colorful food can’t be savory? These fresh-baked rainbow bagels may look like confection perfection but they’re just the carby goodness you know and love.

Tie Dye Cheesecake — via Sprinkles for Breakfast

Pastel and perfectly sweet, this cheesecake and its sprinkled crust will make your dessert table totally dreamy.

Cut some of the sugar with a healthy yet delectable dish like this rainbow veggie pizza.

Top it all off with hearty rainbow smoothies so your guests won’t feel like they spent the entire bash canceling out gym day.

Lisa Frank Party Hats 8 Pack, $3.99 (Birthday in a Box) | Lisa Frank Banner, $2 (Walmart)

Party hats and banners aren’t just for birthday bashes. Spare no cheesy detail when throwing a “just for LOLs” gathering.

Bulk Lisa Frank Coloring and Activity Books Pack of 24, $34.55 (Sears)

Whether this is an adults-only or kid-friendly party, Lisa Frank coloring books will be a total hit.

Unicorn Crayons, $5 (Etsy)

But we have to say that these unicorn crayons will be the show-stopper.

Adult Rainbow Grass Hula Skirt, $4.48 (Oriental Trading)

Now that your house is doused with ALL the colors, you wearing everyday clothes just won’t do. We’re not saying you can’t spend the day in your leggings (with the generous waist to accommodate all those rainbow noms you are about to dig into). Just zazz it up a bit with a rainbow grass skirt…

Rainbow Wig, $32 (Etsy)

…a dreamy mermaid wig you can totally reuse for Halloween (it’s right around the corner!)…

Lisa Frank Juniors’ Patch Denim Vest, $49 (Macy’s)

…and OMG A LISA FRANK DENIM VEST. It may be from the juniors’ department but that can be our little secret.

Ready to throw yourself a rainbow rager? Let us know what your dream Lisa Frank party would look like in the comments below!

December 30, 2015

Unique Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is often celebrated as the last big shindig for the year. It’s a time to look back on your fondest memories of the passing year and to celebrate the upcoming year with loved ones and festivities. But if hanging out in your jammies and watching an oversized light fixture make its descent isn’t your cup of tea, we at Ebates suggest a few fun and unusual ways to celebrate the New Year.

Get Crafty

If you want to start 2016 in a new and one-of-a-kind way, encourage your party-goers (kids and adults alike) to forgo the prepackaged goodies for something a little more unique. Set up a craft table and get to work decorating your gear for the occasion. Set out plenty of bright colors and sparkly goodies to get the party started. Glitter, sequins, tinsel and tissue paper can be used to make the appropriate garb. Create your own party hats, noisemakers and confetti for a special celebration to mark the occasion. Kids will especially love this activity.

Create a Feast

The holidays are all about filling yourself with delicious foods without making excuses so why not celebrate New Year’s Eve with a full belly? Fill your table with a smorgasbord of options so everyone can have their fill and snack throughout the night. Finger foods can include salty and sweet snacks but you’ll also want to include a few healthy options to get your New Year’s resolutions off to a good start. And don’t forget your New Year’s tableware from Birthday in a Box!

Take on a Worldly View

The coming of a new year is celebrated the world over, but not every country celebrates it the same way.

In Columbia, they carry suitcases all day to encourage travel in the upcoming year. In Greece, people hang onions from the door to represent rebirth and break a pomegranate on their doorstep for prosperity. In Argentina, people eat beans for good luck. In Denmark, people climb onto chairs and “jump” into New Year’s Day. In some South American countries, they wear colored underwear to represent their desires for the year ahead. Spaniards consume 12 grapes, one with each chime of the clock as a symbol of luck. The Japanese clean their homes and send thank-you cards.

Many of these practices can be performed concurrently to show your appreciation for other cultures and to have some unique and fun celebrations this New Year’s Eve.

Count Down Each Hour

Why wait until the last moment to live it up when you can celebrate every final hour of the year? Create fun age-appropriate activities for your guests to complete each hour. When the clock strikes each hour, set up a new activity like games, dancing, entertainment and more. These activities are particularly fun for little ones, especially since it’ll help them stay up until midnight for the big countdown!

Have a Ball

Ring in modern times with the medieval tradition of masquerade balls. Get an era appropriate gown at Costume Express or modernize the event with a pretty dress from Barneys New York. The occasion calls for opulence so feel free to go all out with an elaborate getup. Most importantly, don’t forget your mask so your party will look the part!

Double Dip

In other cultures, New Year’s isn’t celebrated only at the dawn of the year. The Macedonian Orthodox Calendar celebrates December 31st and January 14th, with fireworks and gifts for children, respectively. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and is a two-day festival in early autumn, filled with religious service and large meals. Chinese New Year is celebrated in late January or early February in accordance with the lunisolar Chinese calendar and includes a clean home, presents and gifts of money in red paper envelopes.

Relax the Night Away Solo

Instead of getting yourself into a tizzy or dealing with the outside world, create a relaxing spa night so you can start your New Year’s with a fresh outlook. Take a long soak in a warm bath while enjoying a nice book. Paint your nails and make use of your favorite facial treatment from Sephora. Bake some cookies so your home will smell delicious and enjoy a tasty, homemade treat. There’s no harm in taking a little time for yourself on New Year’s Eve.

Plan Your Resolutions

There’s no time to plan for the future like the minute before. Use this time to set out your resolutions for the year. You can create plenty of fun activities. Write your resolution on a piece of paper and put it in a balloon to pop at midnight. Create a match game for the kids to pair similar resolutions. Cut out a handprint and write resolutions on it. You can even create a time capsule to open on New Year’s Eve next year to see how everyone followed through.

Whatever activities you plan for your New Year’s Eve, make it something you’ll enjoy. Spend time with those you love or bask in a solo night by yourself. As long as you’re spending New Year’s with a smile on your face, it’s sure to be a good year.

Prices and Cash Back percentages are subject to change.

December 9, 2015

How to Plan a Holiday Party

The holidays are a time to celebrate and gather with your favorite people. Great food, lively music and festive decorations are essential ingredients for any holiday party, but it also takes some thoughtful planning to pull off one of the most talked about events of the year. Whether you’re in charge of the Christmas party planning for your company’s celebration or you’re planning a private gathering for your closest family and friends, we have the tips you need to get the festivities going without a hitch.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

A successful party is rarely pulled off at the hands of just one person, so don’t be afraid to solicit the help of those around you. Consider hiring professionals who specialize in their field or simply ask a friend to chip in, because those extra hands will be a major help. There’s no need to take on too much to do by yourself and end up stressed. After all, the holidays are about having fun!

2. Create a holiday party planning checklist.

A lot goes into Christmas party planning so you’ll want to make sure you’ve covered all of your bases. You’re going to be pulled in many directions so you’ll want to create a holiday party planning checklist to make sure nothing gets forgotten. You can use traditional pen and paper or make a list on your mobile device, whichever is most convenient for you.

3. Choose an appropriate venue.

Choosing a venue is an important element to any social gathering. Your venue should be determined by the number of attendees (and their guests). Keep it simple by hosting the party at your home or workplace or you can rent a special location for your event. Choose a location that is appropriate for the gathering and be sure to discuss any house rules the venue may have. Some locations may require food or entertainment be provided by their in-house staff so make sure they meet your requirements before you commit to your locale.

4. Send out your invitations.

Once you have the preliminary decisions made, you can send your guests invitations. Vistaprint has a great assortment of invitations with easy design features or you can create an invitation all on your own. To make reservations simpler, offer your guests the option to phone in their confirmation or use an online method like email or an event RSVP service.

5. Set the stage with decorations.

The first thing everyone will notice when they walk into your party space is the decorations. If you have the time to hand-make every item, you can keep your budget low, but it’s important to remember that your time is valuable as well. Birthday in a Box offers a variety of fun and festive decorations that are sure to get people in the mood for your holiday party. Streamers, table scatter, paper lanterns and more in holiday colors and designs will create a fun atmosphere for the get together.

6. Fill their bellies with delicious food.

The food often becomes the focal point of any party so plan accordingly. Some parties will include a dinner while others may focus more on appetizers and bite-sized desserts. Be sure to offer plenty of variety so you can appease even the picky eaters. Festive recipes can be paired with classic favorites. If you’re planning on multiple dishes or just want to simplify the process, a caterer may be best for your event. Your caterer can offer a variety of options and help lighten your load so you can focus your attention on other elements.

7. Keep your guests entertained.

Whether you’re planning a major event or just a small social gathering, you’re going to want to provide entertainment. This can be as simple as Christmas party music playing from a playlist or a hired DJ to keep the party going with tunes for the occasion.

8. Take care of the extras.

When it comes to your Christmas party planning, set yourself up for all the extra little things. Plan a space for all of those winter coats everyone will be wearing. Hire an event photographer to take pictures so your guests can focus on the fun. You can even plan for a taxi in case anyone needs a ride home.

9. Send them off with a gift.

Even great parties must come to an end but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop at the door. Send your guests home with party favor gifts that remind them of the glorious evening they just had. Harry and David has a wide selection of fine gift baskets or you can choose decadent candies from Ghirardelli Chocolate. Your guests will love their holiday party favors long after the event is over.

10. Enjoy your evening.

In all of the hubbub, don’t forget to enjoy the evening yourself! You’ve put a lot of work into making the night go off without a hitch so it’s only right to enjoy it yourself as well. Partake in the food, shimmy on the dance floor and spend some well-earned down time with your fellow party-goers.

Prices and Cash Back percentages are subject to change.