Are you planning a birthday party or thinking about it? While you’re deciding on the details for the celebration, take a look at these popular misconceptions about birthday parties. Here are some of the top birthday party myths and the truth behind them.
MYTH: If you add RSVP to your birthday invitations, you’ll soon know exactly how many people will be coming to the party.
THE TRUTH: Many people won’t bother to let you know. Maybe they don’t know what RSVP actually means, or they think they only have to let you know if they will NOT be attending. Sometimes people just get busy and forget. You can try to add something more specific like, “please respond with either an acceptance or regret”. It may help if you add that they should let you know by a specific date. But no matter what you do, be prepared to make some phone calls to those who haven’t responded, if you need an accurate head count.
MYTH: Everyone likes surprise parties.
THE TRUTH: Some people loved to be surprised by a party in their honor. But, it might trigger a panic attack in another. Don’t assume your guest of honor will be thrilled by an unexpected party, unless you know that person very well. Do they enjoy being the center of attention? Or is he or she the type that would shrink underneath the table at a restaurant if a group of waiters marched over singing “happy birthday”? If you think there’s a possibility the birthday guy or girl might feel ambushed instead of flattered, you can still plan a party. Just make sure you plan it with them.
MYTH: “Over the Hill” is a good theme for a party.
THE TRUTH: Sure, it’s fun to joke with someone about their age. And they may even seem to appreciate it. But many people are sensitive about milestone birthdays, even if they don’t show it on the surface. It’s a rare individual who doesn’t ever experience anxiety over aging. Instead of teasing the guest of honor about getting old, you can still highlight their milestone with a year you were born theme. Or have a retro party with music and decorations that reflect the years of his or her youth.
MYTH: Birthday party favors are just for kid’s parties.
THE TRUTH: Everyone loves a fun giveaway at the end of the party (even grown-ups). It’s a great way to thank your guests for sharing the celebration. Send them home with something inexpensive, thoughtful and useful. Personalized party favors can even include a message. Though, of course, they’re not necessary for a successful party, favors can be that little extra touch that tops off the celebration.
MYTH: If you want to put your guests in a party mood, add lots of confetti inside the invitations.
THE TRUTH: This may sound like a festive idea, and lots of people do it, but please don’t be one of them. Just picture it. Your potential guest opens the envelope, pulls out the invitation and unexpectedly, a bunch of confetti spills out all over everything. Instead of putting them in the party mood, they now have to scramble for the vacuum to clean up all the tiny little pieces of shiny mylar before the dog snacks on them.
MYTH: The more you spend, the better the party.
THE TRUTH: Just about everyone can remember a great party that was thrown together at the last minute. Drinks were served in plastic cups and food wasn’t much more than chips with dip. But what made that party memorable were the people. Of course, good food, lovely atmosphere and fantastic music can all add to the party. But they’re not the most important thing. So, if you’re on a budget, don’t skip the birthday party. Cut corners with costs, even pare down the guest list a little, but go out there and celebrate.
MYTH: Some people don’t want you to acknowledge their birthday.
THE TRUTH: Yes, there are those who feel uncomfortable if you make a big fuss over them. But that doesn’t mean that they really want you to forget them. Birthday celebrations come in all sizes. Find out what the special person in your life would like to do for their birthday. They might want a big party. Or they might rather spend a quiet night at a restaurant with close friends. Their birthday is an opportunity for you to let them know how much they mean to you every day.
Of course, the undeniable truth is that birthday parties are fun. So go ahead and plan a big bash, a surprise party, or quiet celebration. And guess what? Even if you throw an over the hill party, stuff your invitations with confetti and serve nothing more than pretzels and soda, it will still be a hit, if you do it with heart.
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Birthday Party Myths: Busted!
Tupperware Party – Why Host One?
What’s in it for me? That’s a typical question, isn’t it? While many of us still take time to think about what the friend will gain if we agree to host a Tupperware party, we still want to know what we personally will gain.
Tupperware party host benefits may be the biggest reason people agree to have a Tupperware party. They are the enticement – a “come-on” that makes people more willing to turn their homes into stores for a few hours.
Tupperware party hosts have expenses and responsibilities, though, which should not be considered along with the rewards.
1. The host is usually responsible for sending out invitations for the Tupperware party. Follow-up phone calls will be necessary if you expect to have a successful party.
2. Tupperware party hosts must spend time and money cleaning the home and preparing for the party. When the party ends and guests leave, the host will be responsible for cleaning up again.
3. Refreshments are also the responsibility of a Tupperware party host. Even if the Tupperware consultant will prepare refreshments as part of his or her demonstration, the host will incur the expense. If you choose a menu that allows the consultant to demonstrate a product you like and believe your guests will order, you can come out the winner.
4. If you decide to host a Tupperware party, you will probably be left with the task of delivering orders, which will arrive at your home. You may ask people to pick them up, or you may take them to their homes. Either way, it will be your responsibility. The Tupperware consultant is not involved.
Tupperware Party Host Benefits
If you enjoy throwing parties, and are comfortable with the responsibilities, you might throw a Tupperware party for the rewards it offers. A recent Tupperware party host flyer I saw tempts prospective hosts to receive $808 in Tupperware for $60. That would be about 93 percent off of the regular price.
Here’s what’s in it for you if you become that Tupperware party host.
1. Tupperware Party Planning Reward: If you simply discuss with a Tupperware consultant the possibility of holding a Tupperware party, you receive a $2 value “Little Wonders Bowl” free.
2. Tupperware Party Scheduling Reward: If you actually set a date for a Tupperware party, you receive a $4 value 20 ounce canister free.
3. Tupperware party Reward: The host that follows through and holds the schedules party receives a $20 value set of 4 “Big Wonders Bowls” free.
4. Host Bonus: When you host a Tupperware party, you earn credit toward Tupperware products. A recent flyer I saw said that with $425 in party sales, the host bonus equals 15 percent of sales or $64. A Tupperware party host with that amount of credit may select $64 worth of Tupperware products free. He or she may also purchase any two additional products at half price.
5. Host Credit: Once a Tupperware party host reaches $425 in sales AND gets 2 or more party-goers to schedule their own parties, the host can use the Host Bonus to shop from an Exclusive Host Product Selection. If party sales reach $1000 or more, and 2 party-goers schedule their own parties, on-the-spot, the host receives $200 in Host Credit. Add this to the Host Bonus, and you have $264 in credit to redeem in products. Buy the special featured products with your credits, and you can save even more.
6. Reward Added to Rewards: The Tupperware party host flyer shows a “Caribbean Craze” set and promises the host 83 percent savings. The flyer promises that if a party is hosted during the flyer month, nets $1000 or more in sales, AND yields two additional scheduled parties, the Tupperware party host can purchase this 25-piece set, a $301 value, for only $50. The host also receives free shipping on orders. Add together all of the above, and you get over $808 in Tupperware for $60.
7. Entertainment: The final benefit for a Tupperware party host is the entertainment – the opportunity for a short “night out” to unwind and relax with friends, family, and neighbors. Tupperware recipes can provide great refreshments, and if the consultant prepares them as part of the demonstration, you have little preparation to do.
Those are some of the reasons I have seen for hosting a Tupperware party. Does that mean I host them frequently? No. I am not a party person, and you may not be either. But if someone asks you to host a Tupperware party, you now have more information on which to base your answer.
Disclaimer: The author is not now, nor has she ever been a Tupperware dealer. She has no acquaintances, friends, or family who are Tupperware dealer. She offers the above information for educational purposes only.
REGIONAL CHAUVINISM AND MUSHROOMING OF POLITICAL PARTIES
Are we going back to the days of princely states? Posing this question to myself most often, is similar to finding pleasure in fooling myself. Because this curse is a perennial one and its genesis dates back to decades.
Regional chauvinism has much to do with mushrooming of political parties across our nation. The intention of most of the leaders being to score over their opponents by snatching one-upmanship by grabbing ministerial power at the centre or by bargaining with the national alliance or party with the capacity to stake claim to form a government at the centre. Nowadays national parties, both Congress and BJP are more than willing to accommodate any splinter party by pandering to their interests in the event of forming a government at the centre. They are very well aware the days of one party rule is a thing of the past. And in politics, democratic principles, traditions and ethics- all prove to be of not much value or importance and they are kept in the black-burner needed only on the occasions of celebrating Independence days, Republic days or on such days of national importance. Erosion of values, thinking on caste lines while choosing candidates for each constituency, even by the left parties, only criteria being winnability, more than efficiency and the selection of candidates with criminal antecedents, play dirty and despicable roles in Indian politics.
Take for instance Tamil Nadu. Once Indian National Congress was ruling roost in that State. Those were the days of one party rule. Today’s two prominent regional parties, DMK and AIADMK where once nowhere near that National Party. Later parochialism reared its ugly head and with the rise of parochialism the birth of regional parties abound such as DMK, AIADMK, MDMK, PMK so on and on and on. The numbers are innumerable, on each alternate election, either DMK and its allies or AIADMK and its allies reach at the helm of affairs or the governance alternates between these two regional parties. Reason behind the rise of parochialism must have a lot to do with the policy of neglect adopted by the sole ruling party- the Indian National Congress- those were the glorious days of Indian National Congress while in power spanning decades. Fissiparous tendencies developed among the masses and their national outlook was at stake. Still claiming to be of national outlook though the fact of the matter is just contrary. The other day’s incident at Coimbatore was just one example. Army trucks coming from Hyderabad were vandalized by the followers of a regional party named PDK (Periyar Dravida Kazhagam) shouting slogans against the Government of India and Sri Lanka, thus expressing solidarity with hapless Tamilians stranded in Sri Lanka. More than half a dozen trucks were set ablaze.
Similarly, joining power at the centre with any party leading government at the centre, either one of the alliances will certainly be there, the ministers take extra care to arrange funds for the development of their State, in the process neglecting many others. The one heading the ministry has no other way out except remaining a mute spectator. Arm-twisting after all is a painful thing (Comrade A B Bardhan, leader of CPI (Communist Party of India) on the occasion of an interview with a correspondent of a prominent national daily was found justifying the growth of regional parties across the nation with the argument that regional parties can contribute much to the growth of their respective states. Comrade Bardhan seems to forget a sad truth that with the mushrooming of regional parties in every state, it was always the national parties which were the ultimate losers and as a good example I would like to point out the state of Bihar where once the CPI (Communist Party of India) could maintain a formidable clout in Bihar politics. Then Lalu or Paswan were only fringe elements, both of them even unheard of among the masses and in the present situation CPI has become a fringe element.)
In Andhra Pradesh, TDP’s (Telugu Desom Party) rise is attributed to the cavalier manner the State was treated by the centre. N.T.Rama Rao, film-star turned politician took up cudgels against the centre, formed a party for the Telugus named TDP and attained power soonafter. Though Congress is ruling the State now, TDP is a vulnerable one to reckon with. The demand for Telangana State to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh is also gaining momentum and TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) under the leadership of K.Chandra Shekhar Rao is actively campaigning for a separate home-land with the support and blessings of other parties. If that part of the State was properly cared and protected by those responsible, the demand for separate Telangana would not have arisen. Andhra Pradesh’s movie idol and dancing hero, Chiranjeevee has also jumped into the political arena with the formation of Praja Raajyam Party.
The Andhra developments are a definite pointer to the gaining strength of regional parties and the tendency is not to the good of national ethos.
Bihar, has already joined the bandwagon of regional politics. Lalus and Paswans though claiming to be national have already ensured their places in the land of Buddha, reducing the once- dominant Party- Indian National Congress in to a virtual non-entity. The election scenario this time amply shows the place of the Grand Old Party in Bihar politics. Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist), once held some sway in the political heartland of Bihar. They are also out of the picture today. Party leaders think along caste lines and they be it Lalu, Paswan or Nititsh spare no efforts in wooing the communities like Muslims, Kurmis and Yadavs with promises and assurances in abundance. This State has also fallen a prey to regional chauvinism.
Orissa, once a strong-hold of Congress , is now in the hands a regional Party BJD (Biju Janata Dal) led by Naveen Patnaik, the son of Biju Patnaik, erstwhile Congress leader.
UP (Uttar Pradesh), with 80 Loksabha seats, under Mayawati of BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party), formed in the interests of Dalits, targeting Dalit vote banks by late Kanshi Ram and now led by ambitious leader Mayawati, aspiring to be a national party by joining hands with Brahmins and extending benefits to them along with poor dalits by propounding a new theory called social engineering is also not free from regional chauvinism. SP (Samajwadi Party) led by Mulayam Singh Yadav- he was once our defence minister- is engaged in a bitter fight with Mayawati. Former UP Chief Minister and expelled BJP leader Kalyan Singh is now very much with Mulayam Singh. “Maulana Mulayam”, once affectionately called by the Muslims of UP found himself in the ditch with the deserting of a big chunk of Muslims to Mayawati. By keeping away from all his engagements in other States Mulayam has confined himself to UP to garner maximum number of seats thus proving his mettle to principal opponent Kumari Mayawati. On scrutinizing the trends in UP, it is very easy to note here the State which provides maximum number of seats has also gone the way of caste politics. Congress which ruled over the State for decades and BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) play only peripheral roles in the key State of UP.
On going through any State, it is not that much difficult to come to the sad truth that regional chauvinism and castes play crucial roles in 15th Loksabha elections of India.
Be it Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra casteism and ‘sons of the soil policy holders’ gain much clout among the masses.
We have no dearth of parties. What we are urgently in need of is somebody who could play positive roles in the overall development of nation as a whole. Better infrastructure facilities like roads, electricity, irrigation facilities, elementary education, health-care to all providing nutritious food to the children, women and those below poverty line, women
empowerment, employment and most of such facilities.
Parties multiplying on a daily basis. Even on ideological lines. But the lot of the masses remain same. At least those who split on ideological lines and form new ones are bound to ponder over it and arrive at a solution.
Parochialism and mushrooming parties never help in contributing to the development and prosperity of the nation- for that matter any nation.
Those who had monopoly on power for decades must make amends for it.