29 November 2013

Kids Christmas Costume Ideas

Our social diaries are quickly filling up for the Christmas season. And the kids can be the busiest social butterflies of all at this time of year! With school celebrations, concerts, friends parties and also family events to get dressed up for.

So we want to give you some ideas for fantastic kids Christmas fancy dress to make sure your little one looks the best and are guaranteed invites to next years parties too! 

Whether you are looking for a traditional Christmas costume or something a little more fun, Flinger Party Shop has a great range of fancy dress to get you and your little ones through the festive season! 

For the kids we have a great selection, ranging from Santa Claus and Ms Claus to Christmas Tree and Christmas Pudding costumes!  Some of our amazing children's Christmas costumes come suitable for boys and girls so make sure to head over to the website for the full range. Or even better, pop into our store on Gloucester Road, Bristol to stock up on all your festive fancy dress needs.
Santa Boy   |   Christmas Tree   |   Christmas Pudding   |   Bah Humbug   |   Christmas Elf   |   Santa Girl
At the moment our adorable Kids Bah Humbug Costume is reduced to just £2.50! Visit the website for more information. Grab this bargain quick as stock is limited.

If you are looking for something a little more in keeping with the true story of Christmas or if  you have a budding star of the stage in the family who will be featuring in a Nativity play this December, look no further than Flingers! 

We have some great children's costumes which would be perfect for the most important roles in the school Christmas play. Including the all important Shepard, an angelic Angel, a lovely Virgin Mary costume and an adorable Little Donkey kit.
Christmas Angel   |   Kids Shepard Costume   |   Kids Mary Costume   |   Little Donkey Kit
Alternatively, if you are looking for something a bit simpler and perfect for younger children, our super cute selection of kids Christmas poncho costumes will be perfect! Ideal for a quick and easy Christmas fancy dress for children for all ages and sure to go down a treat! We love these adorable ponchos and they are brand new in store so make sure to check them out. 
Donkey Poncho   |   Reindeer Poncho   |   Lamb Poncho

If you are still stumped for ideas, find more awesome kids Christmas fancy dress inspiration over on Pinterest. Or browse our fabulous range of Christmas costume accessories including beards, hats, horns and much much more. 

Not to leave all you grown ups out, check out our earlier blog post for fantastic ideas of adult Christmas costumes here.

What is your favourite kids Christmas costume?

25 November 2013

Christmas Biscuit Recipe - Festive Cranberry and Orange Cookies

With the nights drawing in and a chill in the air, it is time to get cosy at home and warm the house with delicious smells of baking! 

After discovering a mouthwatering recipe for Christmas biscuits that we will certainly be testing out this season, we thought we would share it with you. Make these delicious Glazed Cranberry and Orange Biscuits and let us know how you get on!

Festive Cranberry and Orange Biscuits

      Festive Cranberry and Orange Glazed Biscuits
Ingredients

225g butter, softened      

   
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 100g dark brown soft sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 300g plain flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 225g chopped cranberries
  • 60g chopped walnuts (optional)


  • Icing
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice
  • 200g icing sugar

Method

Prep:20min  ›  Cook:14min  ›   Ready in: 34 min 

  1. Preheat the oven to 190 C / Gas mark 4.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, caster sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, bicarb and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking trays. Cookies should be spaced at least 5cm apart.
  3. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
  4. For the icing: In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and icing sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.


Sounds delicious right?


For added Christmas spirit why not shape these delightful treats in to Christmas trees, stars and other festive shapes. Pop into flingers and pick up a set of Christmas Cookie Cutters!

Or if you want to treat someone special with the results of your baking this festive season, then consider delivering them in a lovely Christmas presentation bag or box. These are also available from Flingers Party Shop when you visit in store or shop online at www.flingerspartyshop.co.uk.



Will you be baking festive treats this Christmas?

21 November 2013

How to Decorate with Crepe Party Streamers

Decorating a party with crepe streamers is a cheap and easy way to add a bit of colour and fun to the venue. Crepe streamers come in a wide range of colours so they are versatile and suitable for baby showers, wedding, birthday parties and more celebrations!

Over on Pinterest, we are always getting inspired by inventive and effective ways to decorate using party streamers for all sorts of events.

Flingers Party Streamers - Pinterest Inspiration
But here at Flingers, we have come to realise that with a little patience and thought you can create incredibly colourful, fun and interesting crepe streamer displays to brighten up any party venue. Creating features and using streamers in inventive ways will really add the finishing touches to a celebration or event. So we've decided to share some of our favourite ways to use crepe party streamers easily for maximum effect!

How to Twist Party Streamers?
This display is most effective when using two complimentary colours of crepe streamers but is possible with just one shade too. For example, if decorating a baby shower consider using baby blue and white for a boy or if decorating for a wedding party, use the streamers to suit the colour scheme of the big day!
Twisted Streamers - Pinterest Inspiration


Begin by cutting even lengths of crepe streamers in your chosen colours. Cut these strips slightly longer than the section of ceiling or wall you intend to hang them from. If using different colours, place one strip flat on top of its corresponding length of streamer and use a small piece of selotape to secure together at the ends.


Use another small piece of selotape, blue-tac or a pin to hang one end of your streamer to the ceiling, wall or table edge you will be decorating. Once this is attached, begin slowly twisting the streamer until you get the desired effect and remember to securely attach using stick or pin at opposite end of the design. 



How to Create Zig Zag Folded Crepe Streamers?
This approach takes a little more time but produces a very strong feature that you will be proud of when completed! To create this geometic folded streamer you will need to use either 2 or 4 different coloured streamers. 

Geometric Streamers - Pinterest
Again, begin by cutting equal lengths of the crepe streamers. If using 4 colours, pair two contrasting colours together and lay one on top of the other so you are left with two sets streamers instead. Place the ends of these two streamers at a right angle and secure with a small amount of selotape. 

Once they are secured, fold the bottom streamer over the top streamer and fold in place. Next, fold the earlier top streamer back over the bottom streamer. Repeat this until you have used the whole length of the streamers. At the end, secure again with selotape to prevent it from unfolding and undoing all your hard work! Then, holding both ends, release the folded streamer to open it up and reveal the geometric and colourful design. Hang from ceilings in an inverted arch or use to decorate the edges of tables. 

For extra ideas on how to hang party streamers and more in depth tutorials of how to create these displays, view this helpful video. We're sure you'll agree it is a super easy way to decorate! 


Flingers Party Shop stocks a wide range of crepe party streamers so you will be sure to find the perfect colours for your party displays! With prices starting from just 99p for 25 metres it really is cheap and effective way to add a little colour and fun to any party.

Find more crepe streamer inspiration over on Flingers Party Shop's Pinterest.


Which display will you be trying out?

19 November 2013

Adult Christmas Fancy Dress Ideas

So that time of year is fast approaching! December is almost upon us and it can only mean one thing. Christmas Parties!

If you are stumped for fancy dress ideas for your Christmas events this year then look no further than Flingers Party Shop where we have a fantastic range of costumes to suit all.

For women, no Christmas party is complete without Mrs Claus and her Elves! Whether your looking for a traditional Mrs Claus costume or something a little bit more cheeky, Flingers has a wide selection of ladies Christmas fancy dress for you to consider!


Ladies Christmas Fancy Dress Mrs Claus Costime


We also have all the extra touches you might need to complete any christmas outfit. Including tights, stockings, silver tipped false eyelashes, coloured hairspray and even glitter make up for extra sparkle! 




And for all the guys out there looking for the best christmas fancy dress you'll be spoiled for choice too! If you are looking for Turkey costumes, Christmas Cracker fancy dress or Morph Santa Suits, Flingers has an excellent range of Christmas costumes for you.

Deluxe Santa  |  Comedy Turkey  |  Gingerbread Man  |  Christmas Cracker |  Santa Second Skin | Deluxe Elf
If you are searching for a fun and unique Christmas Fancy Dress idea, why not pick our novelty Christmas Tree Costumes! Available in Male and Female options, we are sure this costume will surely go down a treat at any Christmas Party this year! Why not add extra decorations to add even more novelty value!


Flingers will be adding more great items in the coming weeks and don't forget to check out our awesome range of children's Christmas fancy dress too!

Remember you can shop in store at Flingers Party Shop, Gloucester Road, Bristol or order online at www.flingerspartyshop.co.uk with delivery starting from just £1.40! 

What will you be dressing up as this party season?

14 November 2013

How to Style Movember Moustaches

Movember is officially in full swing and we're sure you will have spotted quite a few entertaining upper-lip growth in the past fortnight! With whole month of November being rechristened Movember is an excellent and fun way to increase the profile of men's health issues and raise money for a worthy cause. 
HOW IT WORKS - UK.MOVEMBER.COM
Movember challenges men to grow a moustache for the 30-days of November, thereby changing their appearance and the face of men’s health. 
In October, Mo Bros sign up at Movember.com, and on the 1st of Movember, with a clean-shaven face, start their Mo growing journey. 
Then for the entire month, these selfless and generous men known as Mo Bros, effectively become walking, talking billboards for 30 days. Through their growing efforts they raise awareness for the often ignored issues of men’s health, by prompting conversations wherever they go.
Another crucial part of being a Mo Bro is to raise funds for men’s health. Men donate their face, and much like taking part in a run or a walk for charity, ask their family and friends to sponsor their efforts. 
Movember’s not just for men. The women of Movember, are known as Mo Sistas. They play a vital role in the success of Movember by supporting and encouraging the men in their life to get involved. Mo Sistas also get involved by signing up at Movember.com, and participate by raising funds and awareness themselves. Essentially, Mo Sistas do everything that Mo Bros do, without a Mo. 
At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their Movember journey by throwing their own MOVEMBER PARTIES or attending one of the official GALA PARTÉS held around the world.
Read more about Movemeber here


So here are Flingers we want to celebrate the effort you guy are putting into this great cause and give you some inspiration for ways to style your newly grown facial feature!
 



There is the quintessential English Gentleman Moustache for the man who enjoys reminiscing about the strength of the British military during the hight of the British Empire. Sure to require a little bit of wax and patience to get the perfect up-turned whiskers.


 



Next up, we would like to suggest the Pencil Moustache. This one will surely need quite a bit of trimming and work to maintain the precision of this particular style. Known informally as the 'Spiv' moustache, it has long been associated with suspicious characters and smartly dressed petty criminals of the past. 


Our third option is the Chevron Moustache. This style will certainly keep your top lip warm as the cold weather draws in this month but be prepared to find pieces of food nestled in there on the odd occasion! Long associated with Joseph Stalin, it is also known as the Porn Star Tache. So if you are looking to channel Ron Jeremy this Movemeber, then this might by the one for you....




If you are willing to commit a lot of care and attention to your Movember inspired moustache then we think the Imperial is the one you should try! Small an bushy but with great care taken to style the ends into the perfect curls. This one is particularly tricky as it requires a lot of patience and a keen eye to ensure that it is symmetrical as no one likes a wonky tache! 


But if you are someone who doesn't have the time to commit to the preening and styling of your moustache this Movember, then the Horseshoe Moustache is your best bet. Requiring minimal effort, the Horseshoe tache extends beyond of the mouth and growth continues downwards to the edge of the jawline. Perhaps the most drastic style, would you consider the Horseshoe? 

If you Mo-Sisters are feeling left out or want to show your support for someone who is taking on the Movember challenge, chose your ideal moustache style and fake it with a stick on option! 

What is your favourite Movember moustache style?


12 November 2013

Rudolf the Reindeer Cupcake Recipe - Christmas Baking

With Christmas fast approaching we thought we would share an amazing recipe we found to get you inspired for the season! These cute Rudolf the Reindeer cupcakes are perfect for baking with children and we're sure they'll be very excited to add the decorations on top. Or if you want to keep them for just the adults, then add the optional Irish Cream Liqueur for a creamy and tasty twist! 
Reindeer Christmas Cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 125g/4½oz butter, softened
  • 175g/6oz caster sugar
  • 2 free-range eggs
  • 200g/7oz self raising flour
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 100ml/3½fl oz milk
  • 100g/3½oz dark 70% cocoa solids chocolate, melted
  • 2 tbsp Irish cream liqueur (optional)
For the chocolate icing
  • 50g dark chocolate, chopped
  • 3 tbsp double cream
To decorate
  • giant chocolate buttons
  • crisp-coated chocolates (such as Smarties or M&Ms)
  • mini pretzels
  • black writing icing
  • mini marshmallows, sliced

Preparation method

  1. Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper cases.
  2. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs until well combined. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and mix until combined. Fold in the milk, melted chocolate and Irish cream liqueur, if using.
  3. Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until well risen and lightly firm to the touch. Remove the cakes from the tin and set aside to cool on a cooling rack.
  4. For the icing, heat the chocolate and cream in a saucepan over a low heat until the chocolate has melted. Whisk the mixture until smooth and set aside to cool slightly.
  5. To decorate the cupcakes, spread the icing over the top of the cupcakes. Spoon the remaining icing into an icing bag fitted with a small nozzle.
  6. Press a chocolate button onto the cake as a nose, then stick a crisp-coated chocolate on top using a little icing. Stick on two slices of marshmallows as the eyes, and use the black writing icing for the pupils. Stick on the pretzels as the ears.



For an added Christmas touch, use Christmas Cupcake Cases available from Flingers Party Shop to really get into the spirit of the season.




We think these cupcakes are so cute that everyone will appreciate the effort and attention to detail! If you fancy making these and giving them away as gifts to close friends and family then why not pick up some christmas themed cupcake boxes to help transport you baked delights and to present them in all their glory! Otherwise, if you want to show them off at your own party, then try out our christmas cake stands to offer them to all your guests. We're sure they won't be on display for very long before they will be all gone! 

 
Are you going to get baking this Christmas?