The cupcake has come a long way and today we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to flavours, decorations and sizes. Whether your event calls for something classic and elegant, or you’re looking for cupcake ideas that are whimsical and fun, we’ve found 10 fantastic cupcake recipe ideas that we think take the cake! Here are 10 of the best cupcake creations for 2011…

When it comes to parties, doing it your self (D.I.Y), isn’t just a smart way to save money, it can also be very satisfying and with some planning and creativity – a lot of fun!

Got a 2 year old birthday party to organise and not sure about how to keep the little ones entertained? By running some simple and fun games you can ensure that the fun continues and hopefully avoid some of the dramas that can emerge with a touch of 2 year old boredom or tiredness!

Do you need to level the playing field when it comes to footy? Pop these definitions in your back pocket and you’ll never be short of conversation when it comes to NRL or AFL (…for those who do not know the difference between the two – please see NRL and AFL – suggest you do a bridging course by way of 3 minutes on both sites before attempting to use the terms below!)

It’s often difficult to find mum a gift that is gorgeous, useful and inspirational (and costs under $50) but we think we’ve found one. My Grandmother’s Kitchen is full of recipes for love, life, happiness and food from grandmothers around the world. It really is the perfect gift this Mothers Day.

"A Hoy Me Hearties!" Bring your backyard alive by hosting a Pirate Party. Pirate Parties are an adventure-filled day with teasing treasure hunts, exhilarating expeditions and gallant gatherings. This party is sure to go down in history!

We've been on the hunt for the perfect banana bread recipe for some time and we think we've got it! Ideal for brunch with the girls, or even as a warm winter dessert. This recipe has come all the way from Botswana.

Were you and your family among the millions of Aussies gripped by Masterchef (and then Junior Masterchef)? For many of us, these shows have lead to renewed inspiration in the kitchen.

The birthday cake is an important part of any boy's birthday party, with the cutting of the cake often serving as the conclusion to a spirited and fun-filled day.

The birthday cake is considered an important element of a little girl's party, as girls generally exhibit finely-tuned observation skills, and an appreciation for detail.

If you have a children's special occasion to attend and you're required to bring a plate, we have some great ideas to ensure your contribution is a hit on the day.

Before we have a baby, most of us spend hours poring over name books trying to find just the right name - it needs to fit well with our surname, be meaningful, and suit our child as they grow from a child into an adult.

The cupcake craze has been in full swing for a few years now, and thankfully it’s showing no signs of letting up!

As the weather starts warming up, pool parties can be found in almost any neighbourhood. The relaxed atmosphere pool parties create make them the perfect party to celebrate a birthday, moving house, end of school or just as a catch up.

Is your child’s birthday about to roll around again? Eek, what wacky idea will they come up with this year? A theme is a great way to get the ball rolling with the party planning – once you and your child have settled on an (achievable) theme, sorting out the decorations, food and party games/activities should follow quite easily.

If you’re hosting a Christmas event at your place this year, there are a few simple steps you can take to avoid last-minute stress, and ensure this Christmas is a happy one.

Whether you have an office party to plan, a Christmas dinner to host, or a New Year’s celebration to organise, why not create your own invitation?

Calling all creative geniuses, this party is perfect for you! A make-it-your-own party allows guests to bring their creative flair into many aspects of the party from their attire for the day to the food they will be eating. The idea for a party like this is to encourage guests to create their own party.

Setting the scene for a baby shower is an easy theme that you can either create in a subtle, stylish way, or go all out! Here are some ideas to have your place looking baby-licious before the guests arrive to celebrate the bub’s impending arrival.

If there's one thing girls love to do at parties it's dance and sing! A Disco party provides the perfect opportunity to move and groove.

Spring has sprung, so why not get out and smell the daffodils? What better way to enjoy catching up with friends than over a picnic. Here are some tips to ensure your picnic is as enjoyable and easy as possible:

Easter is a wonderful time to entertain at home and hosting an Easter egg hunt is an egg-sellent way to get into the spirit – for both the young and the young at heart. Why not host a hunt in your office or get friends together for Easter brunch?

Your invites set the scene for your party. They’re the first glimpse of what to expect at your event, so it’s worth getting them right! Here are 3 gorgeous options for your fairy party invitations.

This party season the streets have been speckled with frocked-up party-goers as fancy dress parties make a bit of a come-back.

We’re thrilled to share that our party and event directory has recently undergone a massive facelift. One of the things you told us in the recent member survey was how important finding party and event suppliers was to you, so we have improved our directory BIG TIME. What’s new…

Planning a fairy party for your little princess and not sure where to start? Here are 4 tips to designing and delivering a delicious fairy party:

With outside socialising at its peak during summer, remember to protect yourself from sun damage. With a little planning, you can stay safe in the sun, and enjoy yourself even more along the way.

What child doesn’t love making mess? Encourage the mayhem and fun at your pre-schooler’s next birthday party by hosting a ‘messy party’! Here’s how …

Whether you’re the kind of person who does a lot of planning in their head, or a super-organised type who has a to-do list for every day of the year, when it comes to entertaining, everyone can benefit from a checklist.

There definitely seems to be a bit of a baby boom on at the moment, so if you've got a baby shower to host, here are 3 simple and fun games to get the girls giggling.

We can all be a little kinder to the environment if we try, and most kids are really switched on when it comes to protecting and preserving our planet. If your child is keen on the idea, how about throwing them a party with an environmental theme?

Gardening is a really fun activity for kids to get involved in – and it’s also a unique party idea. Send out a greeny invite, then gather a selection of inexpensive supplies like small plastic or terracotta pots, seeds or seedlings, potting mix and trowels.

What do you think of when you hear “Halloween”? For many adults, it means a steady stream of trick-or-treaters knocking on the door, demanding lollies, or organising activities for the kids.

So you’ve sent your invite out in plenty of time, but now the RSVP date has passed … and to be honest, you’re getting antsy about who’s coming to your party. When friends don’t reply to an invitation – whether they have a reasonable excuse or not – it can make it very hard to complete your party planning. So how do you prompt a definite response?

Those who've hosted gatherings for little people are well aware of the effects that too much sugar can inflict on a get-together. Hyperactivity, tantrums and tears are all best avoided on this special day, and by serving nutritious food, it's almost certain that some of those negative party experiences can be avoided.

Party time doesn’t have to equal junk food all the time.

Are you a mum (or dad) looking after little ones at home? Kids are loads of fun, but there's no denying that caring for a baby or toddler can be pretty hard work. Yes, the constancy of day-to-day child rearing can be exhausting for even the most energetic of us! It's time, then, for parents 'n' bubs alike to take a break together. And no, it won’t be hard work to host!

It's Bandaged Bear Day in NSW and the ACT this Friday 26 March, so be sure to support the cause by buying a cute bear, notepad, pen or hacky sack. You can also make your contribution to The Children's Hospital at Westmead by hosting a fundraising party during March - how about having your own teddy bears picnic?

Being a princess for a day is every little girls dream, and what better way to celebrate turning a year older than hosting a Fairy Princess Party in true royal style.

For many, hosting a children's party can be a financially daunting task. The great news is that kids don't know or care what things cost, so with a little organisation and some clever planning, it's easy to host a successful party on a shoestring.

There’s nothing like dressing up for a tea party to get little girls excited, but hosting a tea party for wee ones can also be a smart and fun entertaining option for you.

Themed parties are certainly making a comeback, but it can be tricky deciding on your party theme. Your theme helps to set the scene and tone of your event and can have a big impact on the success, so it’s worth spending some time researching what theme will best suit your event.

The entertainment at a party can make or break the success of the event so it’s smart to do your homework when choosing who you’d like to hire. Here are 5 things every event host should consider when employing an entertainer.

Spring is a beautiful time to host a garden party. Go all old-worldly and feminine and set up a traditional tea party at your place. Think shabby-chic, romantic, pastel and pretty! This is a great idea for a girls-only event such as a kitchen tea, birthday celebration or baby shower.

So you want to host a surprise party? A surprise party can be the most fantastic and memorable event that gets talked about leading into and often long after the event takes place. It's such a great way of showing someone how much you think they rock - because organisng one is damn hard work!

If you missed part 1 of hosting a wicked surprise party, you can view it here. Once you’ve decided that you’re the right person to organise this kind of she-bang, it’s time to get planning! Here are a few ideas to keep you on track…

Bunting is a great way to turn your leftover or scrap fabric into a pretty party or room decoration. Bunting can really liven up an outdoor dining area, and can transform a lounge room or simple hired space into a special event venue. It also looks fantastic in kids rooms, so the D.I.Y effort can be well worth it. Here’s a simple step by step guide to creating your own!

Here’s the dilemma: you sent out party invitations a month ago, and in the last few weeks the replies have rolled in steadily. But now that the RSVP date has lapsed, there are still lots of outstanding responses … and quite frankly, you’re starting to get a bit annoyed. How can you organise the party when you don’t know how many will be attending? It’s a sticky situation - so how can you handle it with style?

Talk about pressure! When recently hosting a toddler’s birthday party, I was blown away by the air time that the topic of the birthday cake received. What began as a simple bullet point on my long list of birthday party To Do’s, soon became a majorly stressful task that required every ounce of creativity, energy and imagination I could muster…

Pack your compass and your binoculars, we're going on an expedition! A Jungle Fever Party is so much fun and takes guests on an adventure packed journey.

It's important to provide some form of entertainment at any children's party, to ensure the event has structure and momentum. Fortunately, there are many entertainment options to suit every budget, child and age group, so here are a few points of inspiration to help you get it right when hosting your next party.

If you have a birthday party to host, look no further for tips to keep the little ones amused.

Looking for a party idea for an older child? How about a cooking, art or sewing class? There are lots of companies that run these kinds of activities specifically for kids, and if you invite a group of, say, six to 10 children, you may be able to secure the class and teacher exclusively for your party.

Gatherings of kids are heaps of fun, whether it’s for a birthday or another occasion such as Easter, Christmas or an end-of-school-term celebration. One big part of a party is being allowed to have treat foods, which of course need to be limited to special occasions.

Those of us who’ve got kids know that their first birthday is a big cause for celebrating. Your teeny tot will love sticking their fingers in the cake and crawling or toddling around with a few other littlies. And every parent should be proud of getting their child through that first year, having survived sleepless nights, teething and first fevers, as well as watching them develop from a newborn into a dynamic little person! How will you celebrate?

With the rise of the internet, and the emergence of some wonderful children's, and service-oriented websites, party planning has recently got a while lot easier, with the internet providing a one-stop location for all party planning needs.

There’s nothing more exciting for a little person than a letter from Santa himself! Until now, the logistics of arranging an awesome Santa letter haven’t been particularly easy… but thanks to www.lovefromsanta.com.au, you can customise your own gorgeous Santa letter in a jiffy!

Everybody loves a spooky theme and what better way to celebrate turning a year older than by being scared out of your wits?

There is definitely a baby boom on at myinvites.com.au! A huge thanks to all the members who sent through their brilliant baby shower tips.

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Most kids love dressing up, not to mention collecting a bag full of loot like lollies! So Halloween is a fun event to celebrate, even though it’s more of an American tradition than an Aussie one.

So your child's birthday is fast looming, and the questions are coming thick and fast regarding what the day will hold. Depending on your child's age and personality, and your capacity to pull off this much-anticipated event, a few considerations and simple steps can help ensure a fun-filled event for the kids that's as stress-free as possible for you.

Let’s face it, with most of us having to watch our pennies at the moment, now isn’t the time to be spending frivolously.

Mums and Dads have been hosting children's parties for decades, and while fads and themes will come and go, there are some key elements to ensuring successful parties, which are best not kept secret.

Who doesn’t love a drink or two around the silly season? Champers, beers, cocktails, shots, RTD’s … Hey, there are stacks of ways to celebrate! With Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve all coming up, the end of the year signals one big party. Yee ha!

Are you hosting or attending a baby shower for a friend who’s soon to give birth? How sweet! Aside from a chance for a girly get-together, baby showers are a nice opportunity to treat the expectant mum to some pressies to wish her well on her journey to motherhood.

For the preschooler, parties are a major event on the family calendar and an increasingly important social occasion - usually with growing consideration and excitement each year.

At primary school age, parties take on the greatest significance. Events are anticipated well in advance, kids are more discriminating, and they will likely have some reasonable, or unreasonable party expectations for you to reach!

Whether you're hosting a gaggle of toddlers or a gang of school kids, easy finger food always proves a popular party staple.

Running out of weekend activity ideas for the kids? You’ve done the bowling, bike tracks and movies, so now give yourself a break from driving all over town, and enjoy some no-effort, at-home fun. Allow each child to invite a friend over so it’s double the fun. Here are a couple of classic activities to keep them busy …

Are you a child of the ‘70s or ‘80s? Then you’ll probably have fond memories of going to birthday parties at groovy venues like the ice-skating rink, roller-skating rink, ten-pin bowling alley, or even the drive-in movies. Remember the fun you and your friends had?

Yes, McDonald’s parties are still here and they’re even more fun than when you were a kid. You can still enjoy the ice‐cream cake, but there’s way more on offer now.

To be certain that your summer holiday is not only super-fun but also super-safe, here are some issues to consider before you head off.

If you have an event to plan but you're not ready to reveal all of the details just yet, why not send a groovy Save The Date e-invite?

Got the kids home for school hols at the moment, or just about to start their break? Before they start with the "I'm bored, there's nothing to do" comments, get them excited by suggesting they have a sleepover with a few close buddies.

It's every boy's dream to have special super powers - what better way to fulfill this dream than by hosting a Superhero Party. Gone are the days when Batman and Robin were the only superheroes around. These days superheroes range from Spiderman and Ninja Turtles to the Power Rangers and Ben 10. The list is endless and don't get me started on the villains!

Halloween has enjoyed a recent popularity resurgence in Australia, with school fetes, house decorations, and trick or treating through local streets. It’s also a great excuse for a party, so on October 31, why not join in the festivities, especially if you have kids!

Have you ever wondered about a perfect party theme for the child who can't stay still? A sports theme is just what you're looking for!

Let’s celebrate the fact that spring is just around the corner – next week brings the start of September, which means farewell to hot water bottles, nights huddled by the heater, and endless rainy days trying to occupy the kids at home. Here are some ways to get out and about to enjoy the change in season:

Warm weather, daylight savings, mangos, ice-blocks, reading books, an afternoon snooze, swimming, playing in the park, rumbling with your pets, enjoying the sunshine ... It’s not hard to come up with a billion reasons why summer holidays are looked forward to by everyone!

Sleepover parties have always been a favourite, whether it's pitching a tent in the backyard, camping out on the lounge room floor or sleeping 10 girls in a one bedroom. No matter how it is done, slumber parties provide an intimate and relaxed type of gathering. It is the only party where PJ's and pillows are essential, late night giggles can be shared and midnight munchies are acceptable.

Your kids probably have a bedroom jam-packed with toys, games, books, and electronic gadgets. With Christmas only a couple of months ago, the generosity of friends and family all year round, and the piles of presents bestowed upon them each birthday, it’s easy for children to end up with more than they can really use or properly appreciate.

When it comes to planning your child’s birthday party, the only limit is your imagination. With a little extra planning and creativity, you can create a theme that makes the day even more memorable. Remember, children have the most incredible imagination so with some simple props you can transform any venue into the perfect party playground. Here’s our A-Z list of awesome kid’s party theme ideas. Choose a theme with your little one and then… get creative! There’s a huge range of free children’s party invitations here. If you’re stuck for ways to bring your theme to life, ask for some help at support@myinvites.com.au and one of our team will send you some tips!

Or so they tell us… the recipe below has been forwarded to us by a fabulous foodie friend. Known as “Scout’s Cupcakes”, in keeping with this week’s theme it would be cruel not to forward this sure fire wining recipe onto you. Enjoy! Perfect for tea time at home, baby showers or a hen’s afternoon tea party:

No one element of a party seems to evoke more excitement in a child, or more trepidation in its parents, than the birthday cake. Often considered months in advance, and discussed in the post-party analysis, the cake is not only an expression of your child and his or her interests, but a type of annual test many mums (or Dads) feel pressure to pass.

Q. I had a baby recently and we’ve received a swag of congratulations, ranging from flowers to cards and presents, big and small. I also got a lot of gifts at my baby shower which I haven’t thanked the guests for yet. Which gestures require a written thankyou note, and which can be acknowledge verbally?

Q. My daughter is turning 10 and having a sleepover party. She wants to write the invitation in a ‘cool’ kind of way – any suggestions for how we can word it?

Q. Do we have to send guests home from my child’s birthday party with a lolly bag? Personally, I’m not a fan of my kids coming home with yet more sugar (in the form of a lolly bag), after they’ve spent the actual party gorging themselves on jelly snakes and the like!

Q. We’re having a party for my child’s fourth birthday, and as there will be 20 children attending, it will be far easier if parents don’t stay. How do we politely tell them to ‘drop off and pick up’ only? (All the kids are at pre-school together so they won’t be worried about their parents not being there.)

Those of us with kids certainly know the dreaded words that can make a mother shudder, “Can I pleeease have a Birthday party this year?”

Are you a spontaneous kind of host? The kind of person who suddenly feels like throwing a party, so invites everyone a few days before? Then here are some tips to ensure you get the logistics sorted with a minimum of eleventh-hour panic.

It is important to keep the toddler's foray into the world of parties as pleasurable as possible to ensure a happy occasion, and a fun party experience your child will want to build on over the years.

Baby shower to attend? Here's our list of 10 great gifts sure to put a smile on any mum-to-be's face!

There’s a certain amount of anxiety associated with making a birthday cake – your creativity and cooking skills are on display for all to see! We often get asked for tips and ideas on how to create brilliant birthday cakes for all occasions so we’ve addressed 4 of the most commonly asked questions about making a great birthday cake.

Tween parties are tricky – your child is too old for pass-the-parcel yet too young for a boy/girl mixer. Most tweens are keener on the company of their own gender, so it’s likely you’ll be planning a party to suit the interests of your daughter and her girlfriends, or your son and his mates. Here are some ideas to get the planning in motion.

Many of us have childhood memories of being packed into the family station wagon to travel hours to reach our holiday destination. Dad would torture everyone with his daggy music, Mum would mediate the fights between the kids, and of course, there was no air-conditioning to cool the family down!

When your kids reach school age, the pressure to put on a party extravaganza seems to grow. Yes, hosting an event even better than last year’s can be tricky! Will your child have the time of their life? Will the other kids be equally excited? Will it be smiles all around from drop-off to pick-up time?

From that momentous first-birthday celebration to do’s for toddlers, hosting a children’s party can be nerve-wracking! This is especially the case with the younger years, when their behaviour and moods are so unpredictable. Some little kids love the hype of a party, while others can get easily overwhelmed … so you need to plan the event just right.

Have you noticed the trend towards embracing everything handmade and home-grown? It makes plenty of sense – whether your concern is caring for the environment (the recycle/reuse mantra), saving pennies, or teaching your children to value the simple things in life.