On March 17, 2011, 224 people broke the Guinness Book of World Record for the largest assembly of people dressed in Leprechaun costumes, nearly half of which were supplied by Costume SuperCenter. It was organized by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
The leprechaun category is new at Guinness so instead of breaking a record they had to set one by fulfilling a specific set of criteria. They said that there must be a minimum of 200 leprechauns and that every costume must consist of a green coat, green or black trousers, a beard, top hat, and appropriate footwear. The participants arrived at the studio in the morning, where wardrobe gave them their costumes and make up artists applied their fake beards, ears and some even had their hair sprayed red. They were counted one-by-one as they entered the green room, and had to remain together in this location for 10 minutes in order for the record to be official. The countdown and World Record presentation was featured on the show. By the way, how appropriate was it that this took place in the “green room?”
What a great way to spend a St. Patrick’s Day. It was great to see so many happy Leprechauns, dressed in our costumes. We were glad to be a part of this new world record. Everybody looked like they had fun and our Leprechaun costumes looked amazing. I hope that there was a good Irish Pub near Jay Leno’s Tonight Show studio for all those Leprechauns to celebrate after the show.
Christmas and New Year’s have past. Now comes the long wait for more fun-filled costume wearing holidays, Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day. Mardi Gras usually falls in February but because of the Easter being so late this year, it is officially on March 8th. What makes this so remarkable is that it is a week before St. Patty’s Day. March is typically a ho-hum month weather-wise so having back-to-back party weekends will really spice an otherwise cold and rainy month. Two awesome costume holidays in one month is great news for the costume industry. Its a good thing we’ve got something to show for it. Here is a look at the best new costumes for Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day 2011.
Mardi Gras Costumes:
When it comes to Fat Tuesday, costumes are fun but accessories are king. High on the list are masks and beads because they are part of the holiday’s two biggest traditions. Masks are essential to masquerades parties which are a major part of Mardi Gras festivities and beads are the most popular and prized possessions collected at parades on Bourbon Street and elsewhere across the country.
St. Patty’s Day Costumes
You get one week to recuperate before its time to enjoy the luck of the Irish. Hold on to any green beads you have left over from the week before. They’ll come in handy. St. Paddy’s costumes and accessories make everyone Irish for the day. Leprechauns and sexy Irish lasses will be lining the bar at your local pub this March 15th to raise a pint or a shot of whiskey and toast to brotherly love.
Getting dressed up for any holiday is fun, easy and inexpensive when you know where to shop. Costume SuperCenter has it all and more but order early because this cold and rainy March will be red hot in costume sales.
Santa Claus can be much more than a giver of presents. He can be the means to some cold hard holiday cash. Its easy to cash in on Santa if you know what to do. Here are two of the most common ways to earn cash as Santa. One is for men only and the other is for anyone, especially creative stay-at-home moms.
1. Be a freelance visiting Santa. Anyone can purchase a quality professional Santa Suit online and start a lucrative side business. Personal appearances from Santa can range from $100 an hour and up depending on the venue. You investment in a professional Santa Suit will run between $75-$500. If you have more time look into being a mall Santa. You’ll need to go through a thorough screening process but it will be worth it since a mall Santa can earn between $8,000 – $15,000 for the season.
2. Start a Santa Letter Service. This is another business opportunity to earn a stocking full of cash. You can advertise on shopping center bulletin boards, banks and by word of mouth. You can earn as much as $10 per letter. You will need to invest in good quality Christmas stationary and have a creative flare. You can make this an official business with a PayPal account and a business license or a local cash business where you act as the official courier for Santa. People send you their child’s letter along with a cash payment. In either case, you answer the letter that you personalize for every child, add a token gift like stickers or small coloring sets and ship it to North Pole Alaska for an official North Pole Postmark. The address is:
NORTH POLE CHRISTMAS CANCELLATION
POSTMASTER
5400 MAIL TRAIL
FAIRBANKS AK 99709-9998
There are post mark stamps you can purchase online but an older kid who’s on the fence about Santa won’t buy it. If you want more information there are
kits you can purchase that provide all the details on a Santa Letter Business.
Stay tuned for our next post when we tell you how Mrs. Claus can get in on the action too!
In Part One we gave you 5 tips for getting your luau party started. Now that you have your Luau invitations, luau costumes and luau decorations you will need to have some delicious food to serve and games to play.
Hamburgers and hot dogs have their place at every Barbeque but a Luau should be special. You’ve gone through all the trouble to set the atmosphere to its time to let the food create the mood. While your guests are not busy filling their bellies they should have some entertainment. Luau games are great for laughs and helping everyone let their hair down.
- There are many websites on the internet that are an excellent source for Hawaiian recipes. Check some of them out to find one that appeals to you.
- If cooking authentic Hawaiian Food is too daunting or time consuming for you a terrific alternative is catered Chinese food. Stick to dished that have cross-over into Hawaiian culture like sweet and sour chicken with lots of pineapple chunks, spare ribs, teriyaki beef on a stick and fried rice. Skip the soup and fortune cookies.
- For dessert go for a tropical twist. Try skewered pineapples and bananas sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon and grilled to caramelized perfection. Serve them with Tahitian vanilla ice cream.
- Set up a Limbo Game and play is to some authentic luau music.
- For the kids, simple games like musical beach towels or pass the coconut will keep them well entertained. Have an assortment of Hawaiian prizes to give away like maracas, straw hats and sunglasses.
- For the grown ups there are a bunch of Hawaiian word games that facilitate mingling and teach your guests a variety to Hawaiian words.
- Don’t forget the Pina Coladas and Mai Tais. You can buy mixes at your local market or make them from scratch. For the kids, make frozen virgin Pina Coladas.
Now that you have all the tips you need on luau entertainment everyone at Costume SuperCenter wishes you a happy summer. Everything you need can be found here. Drop us a comment and let us know how your Luau party turned out.
Aloha! Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, summer is officially upon us. Costume SuperCenter is gearing up for a fantastic summer season of costumes including Patriotic 4th of July costumes and of course, Luau costumes and accessories.
A Luau is such a fun theme for a BBQ. You can incorporate the Luau theme into summer birthday, block party or a casual gathering of family and friends. It’s so simple to do. All you need are some invitations, Hawaiian Luau costumes, accessories, decorations which are all available at Costume SuperCenter. As part 1 of this two part blog we’ll give you some great tips for decorating your guests, your yard and you!
- Send your Luau invitations with at least 2 weeks notice to RSVP. On the invitation, encourage your guest to come in Hawaiian shirts or the Luau costume of their choice.
- It is Hawaiian tradition to greet visitors with a lei and a cool drink or cocktail. Have plenty of leis ready to give to every guest, especially the kids.
- Provide your guests an assortment of grass skirts, and other accessories for them to put on when they arrive, if they have not come in costume already.
- Create a Hawaiian Luau atmosphere. Decorate your yard in a tiki theme with a tiki bar, tiki lights, luau banners and inflatable palm tree coolers that are well stocked with cold refreshments.
- Choose from our large variety of Luau tablewear and paper goods. Also, remember that a well dressed Luau table has a raffia table skirt and a Hawaiian centerpiece.
Now that you have your Luau invitations, luau costumes and luau decorations you will need to have some delicious food to serve. Instead of the same old boring hamburgers and hot dogs why not try some authentic Hawaiian fare? In Part 2 we’ll give you great tips on Luau recipes and games that will make your Luau extra special.
