New Years Glitter Balloon DIY

 It's time to sparkle, New Years Eve is almost upon us! And no time of year is more suited to glimmering glitter balloons to brighten up your home, party or event than NYE.

We've been searching pinterest for the best DIY balloon decoration ideas, getting us inspired to try out some NYE crafts this week. Glittery balloons are so simple to make at home, and are a great decoration idea to add sparkle and fun to your party décor. Seeing you into the New Year in glittery style!

Craft ideas that are great fun for young and old, who doesn't like getting creative with glitter and balloons! You can easily adapt these ideas to perfectly suit your party style and colour scheme too.

So grab a pack of balloons in your party's colour scheme! Then all you need is lots of colourful glitter or even some confetti (chop up shimmer curtains for chunky foil textures instead), and use either a thin layer of PVA glue applied with a brush or a quick spritz of spray adhesive to one half of your already inflated balloon. Then cover in glitter and confetti! Leave to dry and shake off any excess carefully before hanging in place.

Easy right?!

Team with a home made balloon drop for a balloon-tastic New Years!

Will you be adding some sparkle to your New Years Eve party?

NYE Balloon Drop

Imagine the scene. The clock strikes midnight on New Years, and you look up to see an avalanche of colourful balloons falling down from above!

Balloon drops are so much fun - for kids and adults alike! Plus, they are so easy to do whether you are planning a big New Years Eve event or just a smaller party at home. The perfect climax to the midnight highlight for any NYE celebration.

NYE Balloon Drop Kits - Available at Flingers

DIY  Balloon Drop Kits

Want to know how to make a balloon drop for your NYE party? From the big time to the party at home, at Flingers we have a range of Balloon Drop Kits to suit your event, budget and ideas.

You can pick up a Balloon Drop Bag for just £3.69 or grab a handy Balloon Drop Kit for only £11.99 with all you need included to set up your balloon drop at home. Or go professional, shop balloon drop nets for small or large events from £49.99.

Theme your balloon drop to your event by co-ordinating all the colourful balloons to match. With hundreds of balloon types, styles and colours available online and in store, we're sure you can pick up the perfect balloons to tie your whole event together.

Order before midday on Tuesday 22nd December to get all your decorations, tableware, balloons, and drop nets in time for NYE. Check our delivery date details and shop opening hours to make sure you don't miss out.

Do you think a balloon drop would be the perfect thing to celebrate NYE with?

Flingers Holiday Opening Hours

The countdown to Christmas is almost over! 

Need to pick up some last minute Christmas or New Years Eve party essentials? Make sure to check our opening times before you pop in store at 73-75 Gloucester Road, Bristol. 

If you plan on ordering your NYE decorations, balloons and party goodies online then be sure to check the last dates of delivery at Flingers to avoid missing out! Order before midday on 22nd December to receive your orders in time.

We wish all our wonderful customers a very Merry Christmas!

Top 5 Christmas & NYE Cocktails

Keeping you in the holiday spirit, we've collected our top five seasonal cocktails to see you through Christmas and New Years. So grab your punch bowl, plenty of party cups, and a handful of straws. Then you're ready to get mixing some delicious party cocktails and impress your guests this month.

Blood Orange Sangria
Because sangria isn't just for summer. This fruity take on the wine punch is a great alternative to mulled wine for time of year and is an easy one to mix up in one big bowl to last you all night.

Earl Grey Gin Punch
If you are a fan of tea. If you are a fan of gin. Then this is the only bowl of punch you should be making this holiday. A great sophisticated cocktail to mix up for NYE too!

Cranberry-Ginger Sparkling Rum Cider
The cranberry and ginger flavours make this mix perfectly festive. A cocktail including rum and cider means this is certainly one to get you merry this Christmas.

Pimped Prosecco
Everyone enjoys a bit of prosecco on New Years Eve. So surprise your guests by turning it into a cocktail by pimping your prosecco with some fruity additions.

Christmas Punch
Keep it simple with a big bowl of Christmas punch to enjoy this week. Mixing up a big bowl means you can sit back, relax and enjoy the results of your cocktail-making-exploits along with everyone else without worrying about topping up you guests drinks over and over.

Shop all your party essentials, tablewear and decorations for the New Year and Christmas party season. Check our holiday opening hours or order quickly to make sure everything arrives in time!

Will you be mixing up any holiday cocktails?

White Christmas Party Ideas

Whatever the weather, make it a white Christmas with lots of crisp white party decorations to set the scene. We've been checking out lots of wintery white party decor on Pinterest to get inspired for ways to create stylish festive party themes.

There is little more stylish that a fully crisp white colour scheme at this time of year. It's also a party theme that translates well into New Years Eve too. So think white this winter. Create Christmas inspired cake topper bunting, bake snowflake shaped cookies and bring the outside indoors with some pinecone centrepieces to get on your way to a wonderful white Christmas party theme.

White Hanging Fan Decorations - £2.29 at Flingers

Shop hanging party pompoms, classic white fans, snowflake garlands, lace paper bunting and much more at Flingers to get the wintery white look at your party this year. Create a feature wall with a festive Scene setter to really capture the sprint of the theme, perfect for photobooth backdrops too!

Snowflake Paper Bunting - £2.69 at Flingers

Are you hoping for a white Christmas?

Christmas Party Game Top 5

All sorts of Christmas parties will be taking place around the UK over the next two weeks. From work dos, to school parties, to family gatherings. Make sure you make your party a time of merriment and cheer, with a few festive themed party games that everyone can join in with.

Follow our top 5 Christmas party game ideas to enjoy lots of festive fun this party season.

1. Golden Pinecone Toss
Challenge both the kids and the adults with this competitive game of pinecone toss. With the golden pinecone worth extra points of course!

2. Snowman Slam

Get creative with your party games and make these snowman paper cups ready for a game of bowls to knock them down. Get the DIY tutorial at growingajeweledrose.com to create your own using card, paper cups and some socks! Perfect for a Frozen themed party as well!

3. Christmas Snap

To warm up the party, this game of Christmas Snap is perfect for the younger kids attending. But best of all, you can download and print these fun memory cards for free thanks to crazylittleprojects.com.

4. Pin the Nose on the Snowman

Fun for all! This Christmas party game is available for just £2.49 and includes everything you'll need to pin the Snowman's nose - including a festive blindfold and lots of carrot noses too.

5. Christmas Plate Art

This Christmas party game is a little more complicated, but we're sure it is totally worth it and great for an office party. All it involves is drawing a festive scene on a paper plate - but with the paper plate on your head of course. Get the rules to this game over on happyhomefairy.com.

Are you planning any festive party games to entertain your guests?

Festive Fancy Dress Extras - Under £5

Get into the spirit of the season and throw on some fun festive accessories. With a wide range of Christmas fancy dress available, we've also got lots of essential extras to complete your festive costumes. Or  add a little touch of Christmas spirit to your look in the run up to the big day.

Check out our essential festive fancy dress accessories to add some colour to your Christmas Party outfit or to complete your fancy dress costume. All available for less than £5!



1. Santa Comedy Glasses £4.69
For an instant and alternative take on Santa Claus, these comedy glasses are perfect for the work's Christmas party or even just wearing down the pub.

2. Candy Striped Tights £3.49
Colourful tights are one of the easiest ways to complete your fancy dress. These red and white stripe tights are just what you'll need for dressing up a Christmas Candycane!

3. Angel Wings £3.49
No Angel is complete without her wings!

4. Christmas Bell  £3.39
Ring in the start of the Christmas party and announce Santa's arrival with a Christmas Bell.

5. Christmas Tree Glasses £3.99
If you are not a fan of fancy dress, you can still get involved at the Christmas party by throwing on a fun pair of novelty glasses.

6. Turkey Hat £3.49
Another one for those of you who prefer the simpler, more novelty take on Christmas fancy dress.

7. Instant Santa Kit £4.49
Use this Santa kit to instantly transform into the big guy this December.

8. Mrs Claus' Gloves £4.29
These stylish faux fur trimmed gloves are perfect to add a little bit of class to your Ms Claus costume.

9. Mini Elf Hat £3.59
If you signed up to be one of Santa's little elves this year, top off your look and get into character with a cute mini elf hat!

All this and much much more is now available online and in store at Flingers. Shop online today to make sure you get your Christmas fancy dress essentials in plenty of time, or try out our Click and Collect service to pick up your goodies in store.

Are you planning to dress up this Christmas?

Simple Reindeer Face Painting Tutorial

There are many Christmas face painting ideas you can try at this time of year, but reindeers are always one of the post popular festive face painting requests. The best way to add some real character to your Rudolf Fancy Dress this year.

Getting inspired by all the wonderful Christmas face painting ideas out there can be a little intimidating - as they all look so well done. But rest assured, it is something that can be easily done at home. Check out the below Snazaroo Reindeer Face Painting Tutorial to guide you through the process step by step and you will quickly see how simple it can be to create some seriously impressive festive face painting designs!

Of course, being the one and only Rudolf is very popular. But if you are just looking to be one of the gang of Santa's reindeer, just switch the red nose for a regular brown or black nose instead.

You can grab all the face painting essentials to create this look at Flingers, from the Snazarro paints to the handy sponges and brushes. Whilst there, you could also pick up a pair of reindeer antlers to really finish off your look! Skip drawing on your own antlers, and replace them with a fun pair to wear instead to draw the whole look together.

Stag Horns   |   Sequin Reindeer Antlers   |   Reindeer Antlers

Then all that is left is to decide which reindeer you are going to be. Will it be Rudolf, or perhaps  Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, or Blitzen? Get all your friends or colleagues involved and you could create the whole gang!

Do you have any other top face painting tips?

Santa and His Elves Are Coming To Town

So December is upon us, and the Christmas party season is here. Which party gang will you be a part of this year?

Santa Claus is Coming to Town
The bringer of presents and all things merry. Get practising your "Ho, Ho, Ho" to pull this look off!
1. Instant Santa T Shirt Kit - £11.99
2. Miss Santa Costume - £7.99
3. All In One Santa Onsie - £21.99
4. Santa Tutu & Cape Kit- £23.99

Be Part of the Elf Gang
Where would Santa be this Christmas without his trusty elves?
1. Mr Elf Costume - £15.99
2. Instant Elf Kit with T Shirt - £11.99
3. Ladies Elf Costume - £8.99
4. All in One Elf Onsie - £21.99

Go Novelty this Christmas
But Christmas is about so much more than just Santa and his Elves. 
1. Christmas Pudding Costume - £23.99
2. Christmas Tree Fancy Dress - £9.99
3. Rudolf the Reindeer Onsie - £22.99
4. Miss Snowman Costume - £28.99

All these festive fancy dress costumes and much more Christmas costume extras are available online or in store at Flingers Party Shop. So get planning your perfect Christmas party to get into the festive spirit of the season.

Will you be dressing up this Christmas?

Free Christmas Party Photobooth Props

Christmas is coming and it is time to get all those party plans in place. Now it is always important to make sure you get to take as many photos as possible at the Christmas party, and a festive photobooth is the best way to do it!

We've put together yet another free DIY photobooth prop box for you to make at home, and this time is it all about Christmas! From Santa's beard to Christmas pudding glasses, with a few Naughty or Nice signs thrown in the mix too.

Download our festive DIY Photobooth Prop Box download for free and start create your DIY party props - all perfectly in keeping with your spirit of the season.

How to make your Gatsby Photobooth Props:

1. Print our DIY Christmas inspired Photo Props onto A4 paper or card.
2. Mount each prop onto cardboard or foamboard using spray adhesive.
3. Carefully cut out each prop and shape using sharp scissors.
4. Attach a short stick to each prop to allow them to be handled easily. A glue gun works best!
5. Plan you backdrop - Hanging shimmery curtains or crepe streamers work as a simple but effective background, or put up a fun festive scene setter to instantly transform the space.
6. Bring on the big night!

Not planning a Gatsby party but still looking to create your own DIY photo booth? Then try out our other prop box downloads for general celebrations, a Great Gatsby party and wedding days.

Will you be downloading our free prop box templates this holiday season?

Top 5 Festive Bakes

Christmas is coming and it's the time of year to enjoy good food, great treats, and delicious bakes. We've pulled together our top 5 festive bakes to get your inspiration flowing and help you to start planning all your special Christmas cupcake and biscuit treats this holiday.

Chocolate Tree Cupcake Toppers - www.justataste.com

1. Chocolate Tree Cupcake Toppers
Perfect for those who like to try something a little more avant-guarde with their bakes. These Chocolate Tree Toppers are edible and very easy to make!

 Dogs in Christmas Jumper Gingerbiscuits - www.cakejournal.com

2. Festive Dog Jumper Biscuits
Now who doesn't like dogs wearing jumpers? Dogs wearing Christmas jumpers? Edible dogs wearing Christmas jumper biscuits? Win win win if you ask us! Just grab a doggie cookie cutter, check out the surprisingly simple tutorial, and let your imagination run wild.

Snowman Cake Pops - www.bakerella.com

3. Snowman Cake Pops

If you have a cake pop making machine hiding at the back of the cupboard, dig it out and learn how to great a gang of tasty Snowmen to brighten up your Christmas table of treats.  

Festive Present Biscuits - www.cakejournal.com

4. 3D Gift Wrapped Biscuit Icing

Or if you are looking to go all out on your Christmas bakes this year, you could re-create these very impressive present biscuits with 3D bows of icing. It takes a little bit of patience and a steady hand to follow this tutorial, but we know that your friends, family and colleagues will definitely be impressed by your festive baking skills!

Buttericing Christmas Tree Cupcakes - www.ninerbakes.com

5. Christmas Tree Buttericing Cupcakes 

This festive cupcake idea is a perhaps one of the simplest ideas, but by no means the least impressive. Your towering Christmas trees will top your cupcakes, but don't forget those essential (and edible) baubles to complete the look!

What are your favourite bakes to create at this time of year?

Winter Warming | Party Inspiration

Winter is officially upon as and with this windy, wet, and cold weather we are really looking forward to thowing a big warm winter party to welcome in the season. The perfect winter party should be full of twinkling lights and flickering candles to give the illusion of warmth.

Very stylish party planner knows the appeal of Maison Jars! For the ultimate pinterest-worthy party, half fill some jars with water, fill with lush green leaves and rich red berries and top off with a floating candle to create stylish and oh so seasonly appropraote lighting!

We also love beautiful pine cone garlands - drawing on the rich outdoor landscape to provide pretty party decorations! Find out how to create your own DIY Pine Cone Garland with this handy tutorial

Ultimately, the key thing to making a cosy winter party it lots of warming drinks. Think Hot Chocolate with a huge supply of luxurious toppings. Make an interactive Hot Chocolate bar where guests can put together their own topping to make the ultimate delicious Hot Choc. Yum!

How are you planning welcome in the Wintery weather?

Cupcake Balloons | Tutorial

Are you running a bake sale today for Children In Need? Or are you just planning the finishing touches to some special party cupcakes?
Now, we all know that no party is complete without balloons! So we like any excuse to add even more balloons to the party décor. After completing all our Children In Need inspired bakes, we've been topping off our cupcake treats with  mini balloons to add a burst of extra colour and fun!

It's so simple to create at home, or at your very own bake sale! Just take a colourful balloon and inflate but don't fill the balloon as we want it to stay quite small. (We used our Pearled Teal Balloons for ours!)

Next we advise taking your cocktail stick and wrapping a small piece of masking tape or washi tape around the top end to soften the spike and stop it popping your balloon!

Take some pretty ribbon or string and tie your mini balloon to the top of the cocktail stick. (You could also use a little dab of hot glue to secure your balloon and make sure it stays in place.) Once this is secured, push the sharp end of the cocktail stick into the top of the cupcakes.

All that is left is to present your cute balloon cupcakes in pride of place! Sure to win you a few more customers if you are running a Children In Need bake sale too!

Fancy getting a little bit more crafty with your cake toppers? Try our stylish Mini Bunting Cake Topper Tutorial to create your own strings of colourful cake bunting using some good old washi tape!

What do you think of our cute cupcake balloons?

Pudsey Bakes | Children In Need

One of the most popular and enjoyable-for-all ways to raise money in aid of Children in Need is always a bake sale!

With Children in Need just days away, you don't have long to plan your spectacular bakes! We've been checking out some of the best Pudsey inspired cakes, biscuits and treats to get some great ideas, ready to raise some money for Charity on Friday 13th November. Check out lauralovescakes's blog for some top tips on how to create your the perfect eye patch using icing in order to complete your Pudsey designs. But we do have a soft spot for some 3D Pudsey cake pops, almost to cute to eat!

If you are more of a biscuit person, then there are still lots of ways to design your treats in Pudsey style. The all important eye patch must feature of course!

Or for those of you who are thinking more along the lines of a simple cake design, then you can't go wrong with a fun polka dot iced cake! In the end, whatever type of treat you make, all that really matters at a Children in Need bake sale is having fun, raising money - and eating cake!

Are you raising money for Children in Need this Friday?

Three Tips to Get The Gatsby Look

The popularity of a Gatsby party is still going strong. The glamour of the 1920s decade is a big draw for party planners all over, and it is often a popular party theme for NYE parties (yes, it's time to start planning for that!).

If you are thinking to host a Great Gatsby themed event, or have a 1920s inspired party invite tucked into your diary, then some glamorous fancy dress is a must! There are just three top tips you need to follow in order to get the look:

Showtime Flapper Dress   |   Jazzy Flapper Dress   |   Godfather Gangster   |   1920s Star

1. Dress Up or Suit Up
For the ladies, there is no other way to channel your inner Gatsby spirit that with a fabulous flapper dress. With the all important fringing so you can really show off your Charleston moves when you take to the dance floor. For the fellas, suit up! Whether you go for a stereotypical gangster, or the more comedic Charlie Chaplin look, looking smart is a must.

1920s Black Bob   |   Curly Flapper Wig   |   The Investigator Tash   |   Moustache Pack

2. The Hair
For the ladies this of course means a classy bob. The men, its more about the facial hair! No gentleman was complete in the 1920s without a well groomed moustache. You could even by a multi-pack of stick on moustaches to keep all your guests appropriately tash'ed when they arrive at the party!

1920s Pearl Necklace   |   Charleston Headband    |   Jumbo Cigar   |   Tommy Gun

 3. The Accessories
 Complete the glamour with some pearls and an essential Gastby headband. For the guys, get into character with a novelty giant cigar or a tommy gun.

But most importantly! Remember to take plenty of photos to remember how glamorous everyone looks! A photobooth is always a great way to capture candid snaps of each and every guest, throw in some 1920s props too! Download our 1920s Prop Box to make your very own DIY Gatsby photobooth!

Do you have a Gatsby Party coming up soon?

Bonfire Cupcakes Tutorial

Now that Halloween has past it really begins to feel as though the cold dark nights of Winter have arrived. Especially marked by Bonfire Night, when everyone comes together to feel the warmth of a raging bonfire, marvel at fireworks and keep cosy with some hot food and drink.

Bonfire Cupcakes - kitchenmason.com

We've been looking around for top food tips and inspiration to share with friends and family this Bonfire Night, and when we discovered these awesome cupcakes from Miss Kitchen Mason we instantly knew what we would be (attempting!) to make this week!

The orange and yellow icing. The chocolate kindling! The detail in these cupcakes is divine and Miss Kitchen Mason certainly makes them seem oh so simple to create.

Check out her blog for the recipe as well as some top tips on how to structure your mini bonfires.

What are your plans this Bonfire Night?

Day of the Dead Balloon DIY

This weekend isn't just Halloween. It also marks the Mexican Day of the Dead Festival. A celebration of both life and death, remembering those who are no longer with us in colourful festival style.

We've been busy designing our very own Day of the Dead inspired balloons, drawing on the iconic candy skill design. The balloons are so simple to recreate, all you need in a good permanent marker pen and a pack of plain white balloons! Then get creative! Draw on your unique candy skull designs and then inflate with helium to let them sway around the house and add some character to your Halloween or Day of the Dead parties this weekend. A perfect DIY decoration activity to get the kids involved with and teach them a little bit about the festivities of another culture.

So make sure this weekend isn't all about the spook and gore! As some colour and a touch of the Day of the Dead festivities to your weekend.

If you are focusing on the Day of the Dead or throwing a Halloween party in the spirit of this festival, then there is still time to grab a load of fancy dress, masks, decorations and more to get the festivities under way!

And remember! If you stop by in store to pick up your a few packs of white balloons and other decorations, then you could even get your Day of the Dead face paint done for free!

Will you be celebrating Day of the Dead this weekend?

Find your Fancy Dress for less than £15!

Still struggling to pick what you will be dressing up as this Halloween? With only a few days to go the pressure is mounting!

Find yourself the perfect Halloween costume in time for the weekend with Flingers. Check out our sample of spooky costumes all available for less than £15! Complete the looks with any of our fancy dress accessories (many available for less than a fiver!) and get ready to welcome in the Halloween weekend without a worry about what to wear!
 

 1. Devil Costume - £14.99

Everything you need to transform into a foxy, fiery devil this Halloween!

2. Carnage Cape - £10.99

A gory style white cape with blood splatter all over it. Perfect to add the finishing gruesome details to many costume ideas.

 

3. Gothic Bride Kit - £14.99

Includes rose and skull veil, choker and gloves. Everything you'll need to portray that Gothic bride to be look!

4. Vampire Bat Wings - £8.99

Black Vampire Bat Wings with High Collar. A must have for a bat costume.

 

1. Dungeon Master - £14.99
Transform into an eerie dungeon master this Halloween. Complete with a tunic and hood, simply accessories with your weapon of choice.

2. Vampire Cape - £4.29
Black PVC cape complete with Dracula inspired high collars. An essential element of any vamped up costume this Halloween.

3. Stabbed in the Back - £11.99
This novelty fancy dress option is for those of you who rather base their costume on a clever play of words.

4. Punk Skull Rocker - £14.99
Perfect for the music aficionado! Team this terrifying punk rocker mask with your most appropriate band tee for a haunting punk rocker look! Complete with piercings and Mohawk - but a skull face!

Stock is running low with Halloween right around the corner. So grab your fancy dress essentials before you miss out!

If you plan on stopping by to pick up your last minute Halloween costumes, decorations, balloons and more in store on Saturday 31st October, you could even get your face painted for free! The best way to complete your fancy dress plans!

Will you be stopping by to try out our free face painting service this weekend?

FREE Halloween Face Painting

It's time for another Halloween special treat!

In need of some top face painting to complete your Halloween costume?

Take advantage of our free face painting event at Flingers when you spend £10 or over in store on Saturday 31st October. Stop by to collect all the accessories, fancy dress, decorations and tableware you'll need to throw your Halloween extravaganza - and then get your face painted for free!

This special event is for one day only, so stop by on the spookiest day of the year between 12pm until 5pm to join in.

Find us at 73-75 Gloucester Road, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5JQ. And remember our free face painting service is on a first come first serve basis! So don't miss out!

Will you be joining us?

Creative Pumpkin Ideas

Looking for a goo-free pumpkin carving session this year? Or just looking to get more creative with your pumpkin creations?

There are a million ways you can decorate and customise pumpkins without having to get a big spoon and start digging out those messy pumpkin insides! With a little imagination, you can have stylish pumpkins with minimal mess! Check out our top 5 ways to customise pumpkins this Halloween and create a stylish feature to decorate any Halloween event with.

Glittertastic Pumpkins   |   Dip Dye Mini Pumpkins

1. Go Glitter!
Turn your pumpkins into sparkling wonders this Halloween.  Follow glitterinc.com's DIY tutorial to recreate these stylish dip dye glittery wonders.

One Step Stocking Pumpkins   |   Lace Pumpkin DIY

 2. Laced Up Pumpkins
Those pretty lace stockings or patterned tights with the hole in that you'll probably never wear again? Well put them to good use once and for all with one of the easiest but most effective approaches to pumpkin decoration! Get the tutorial here.

Chalkboard Pumpkins   |   Painted Pumpkins

 3. Get your Paintbrushes Out
Perfect for getting messy with the kids, grab some paint, few paint brushes and viola! Find top tips on painting your pumpkins this Halloween with Melissa at honeybeevintage.com. Or open a tin of chalkboard paint to make your pumpkins customisable on the big night! It's a new take on the guest book anyway!

Ribbon Pumpkins   |    Washi Tape Pumpkins

4. Washi Tape does Halloween
Want to go for a more simple and stylish pumpkin look this Halloween? Grab a roll of sticky backed ribbon or even our old favourite Washi Tape, and add rings of colour to your pumpkins.

Swarm of Bats Pumpkin   |   Moustache Pumpkins

5. Paper Cut Pumpkins
Goo-free, paint-free and mess-free! For those of your out there who are more into paper crafts, then get your scalpel out this Halloween. Clever additions can even add some personality to your gang of pumpkins this October!

 Do you enjoy carving pumpkins at this time of year? Or are you keen to try those gloop-free ideas?