Milestones

Birthday
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life sometimes we need to slow down long enough to celebrate and enjoy the moments that make our life truly special such as a milestone birthday or anniversary. Plan your milestone event stress free by contacting Trini Eventz Planner to coordinate the soiree. 

Adults enjoy parties as much as children and its really nice when someone honors your birthday by sharing the day with you. If you or a close relative is celebrating an important milestone such as 21, 30, 40, 50, 80 or even 100 it should be celebrated with all the fanfare.

Annivesary
These days many marriages don't even make it to the 5-year mark, so a 10th, 25th or 50th wedding anniversary is definitely worth celebrating. Throwing an anniversary party is a nice way to show respect and admiration for the couple but it also inspires younger generations and newlyweds who are just starting out in the adventure of marriage.

Please feel free to share your most memorable anniversary celebrations with us in the comment section below.

Family Reunion/Day

Are you like me who always hear about an aunt, uncle or cousin but you've never met them. Having a family reunion is a great way to meet family you don't know or have never met and is a great way to celebrate family by sharing fun times together. Let Trini Eventz Planner help you plan an unforgettable family reunion.

Start planning your family reunion one or even two years in advance to cater for family members who may need to travel to the event as this can be costly. Wondering who to invite, start with immediate family then first and second cousins, sometimes its the random second cousin you never thought would show up ends up being the life of the party. 

A family reunion will not be fun without some good old games like 'lime & spoon', 'tug of war' or bag race. Other sporting activities like cricket, football or table tennis will be fun including art and craft for the younger ones.

DIY!

Here are a few DIY tips when planning your family reunion.

1. Host your event over a few days like a weekend (Easter Weekend would be perfect) rather than try to pack everything in one day.
2. Plan an outing each day like a beach lime, island tour culminating with the sports/fun day.
3. Ensure to include a family Thanks Giving Church Service.
4. Printed t-shirts, notepads, pens, bags etc makes nice keepsakes.
5. Hire a professional photographer to take pics.
6. Ensure you cater extra food some single family members might bring along a friend.

Please feel free to share your ideas in the comments section.

Corporate Mothers Day Event

Its not too early to start planning your 2017 mothers day event for all the beautiful mommies in the office. Have you ever noticed on work that the mommies sort of have their own little mommy club without knowing it. For example someones' son have a cough that wouldn't go away one of the mommies must recommend a home remedy that works wonders, a cough syrup or a reputable doctor. So what better way to honour these marvelous ladies than to let Trini Eventz Planner plan an event that will be the talk of the office for years to come.

Trini Eventz Planner will plan something creative and out of the ordinary. Instead of boring flowers or just gift vouchers we will plan memorable ways to show our appreciation the ladies will enjoy such as hire a reputable make-up artist and their glam squad for the ladies, spa-day and retreat, brunch, tea party, candle making session or cookery demonstration just to name a few.

Get in contact with us today to start planning, we are looking forward to hearing from you. Feel free to share your unique mothers day experience in the comments section.

Team Builder

Having a team builder and don't know where to start? Let Trini Eventz Planner co-ordinate your event and team building activities that will garner high-fives rather than eye rolls among staff. A team that works together is not only more effective but also productive and successful who will be more fun and happier to work with each other.

Activities will be arranged to target specific areas such as communication skills, team bonding, problem solving and collaborative skills.

There are great locations within Trinidad and Tobago to host a team builder or staff retreat away from the office with scenic views that will foster team spirit and bonding.

A team that plays together stays together.

Please contact us to discuss further and feel free to share your tips and ideas in the comments section.

Party Favors Ideas

Everybody loves free gifts, here are some unique goodie bag ideas for the ultimate event that will have your guests delighted about the stuff they brought home.

Tech

Almost everyone have a smartphone or device so techy gifts such as earbuds/headphones, screen protectors, portable chargers, USBs, selfie sticks, phone screen wipes etc all make great gift ideas.

Eco-friendly

More and more people are becoming more environmentally aware so why not hand out a nice plant, bonsai trees or grow-your-own kits to guests. These kits are a unique idea and can range from herbs, vegetables, flowers or fruit trees. Be sure to use organic, non-gmo seeds.

Keepsakes
Keepsakes such as scented candles, notepads, diaries, cups, t-shirts, nail polish, makeup, tote bags, water bottles, organic hand soaps etc all make great gift ideas.


Food

Guests may need a 'pick me up' at the end of long events which is exactly what food or drink party favors will do. Mini bottles of wine, organic chocolates, teas and candy all make great gift ideas.

Do you have party favor ideas you would like to share? Let us know in the comment section.

Beach Lime

Every public holiday people head up to Maracas Bay in the hundreds to chill and relax on the beach. Now I must admit, you would not find a white sandy beach with turquoise waters as those in Grenada, Jamaica, Antigua, or Barbados however, most don't go to Maracas for a sea bath but for the lime. Beach limes are not only popular in Trinidad but throughout the Caribbean and its a great opportunity to hang with family and friends, play football, cricket or beach volleyball. 

Without drinks the beach lime will not be the same. Rule 101 to having a real 'bess' beach lime is a cooler of beers packed with ice. Be sure to pack plenty water as its easy to get dehydrated in the heat not forgetting non-alcoholic drinks such as shandy and soda. There are plenty food options in Maracas such as bake and shark, polourie, fry shrimp, fries, wings,alloo pies etc but for those who prefer to prepare their own food or heading to a less popular beach a pot of pelau with cole slaw will easily do the trick.

DIY

Here are six tips when planning a beach lime.

• When figuring out what to buy make a list before heading to the grocery which should include items such as paper plates, cups, utensils, napkins and snacks.
• Walk with garbage bags to dispose of all your trash.
• A wireless speaker and Private Ryan playlist should get the lime going.
• Beach chairs and large towels will come in handy or alternatively lounge chairs are available I believe at a cost of TT$20. 
• On public holidays the traffic to get into Maracas can be at a stand still, rally up your crew and head up early to avoid the traffic.
• Ladies to complete your beach bag be sure to throw in your sunglasses, sunscreen, headphones, phone power bank (portable charger), a book and a large beach hat and you're good to go.

Do you have tips you would like to share? Let us know in the comments section.

Local Suppliers

Looking for local suppliers can be time consuming when planning your own party. This post will categorize a few local suppliers to make your party planning easier.

Transport
Wanna ride in style, here's a list of luxury rentals:

• Statement Limousine - http://www.statement-limo.com/
• Transport Solutions Limited - http://www.transportsolutionsltd.com/higercoach.html
• Duncan Limousine Services - https://www.facebook.com/DuncanLimousineServices/

Party Supplies

Don't have enough time to order online 'Finding Dory' napkins, here's a list of companies who stock party supplies:

• Sweet Cheekz Party Supplies - https://www.facebook.com/sweetcheekzpartysupplies/
• Party Pro - Here's their website http://www.partyprott.com/
• Tulip Productions - http://tulipproduction.com/index.php
• Party Central - https://www.facebook.com/partycentral6/

Rentals

Looking to rent tents, chairs etc for your event, here's a list of local rental companies:

• Caribbean Shade Tent & Party Rental - https://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanShadeTentPartyRentals/
• Party and Event Company - http://www.partyandevent-tt.com/
• Maharaj Tent Rentals - http://maharajtentrentals.webs.com/
• Dynamic Party Rentals - https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicpartyrentals/
• The Rental Center - http://www.therentalcentre.co.tt/

Catering

Can't decide on what to feed your guests, here's a list of catering companies:

• Boomerang Caterers - http://boomerangcatererstt.com/
• Superb Caterers - http://www.superbcaterersltd.com/
• Food Ecetera - http://www.foodetcetera.com/
• Sriracha Caterers - http://www.srirachatt.com/
• Seepersad Catering - http://www.seepersadcatering.com/index.html
• Cynthia's Catering - http://www.cynthiascateringtt.com/
• Grilled Peppers - https://www.facebook.com/grilledpepperscaterers/

Venue Rentals

Depending on your event Here's a list of venue options:

• North Deck - http://thenorthdeck.com/
• Tantra Terraces - http://www.tantraterraces.com/
• La Soledad Estate - https://www.facebook.com/La-Soledad-285910601449719/
• Ortinola Great House - http://www.ortinola.com/
• Kapok Hotel - http://www.kapokhotel.com/event-spaces/
• Mayaro Beach House Rental - https://www.facebook.com/MayaroBeachHouseRentals/
• Maracas Villas - http://maracasvillas.com/
• Gasparee Getaways - http://gaspareegetaways.com/

Caveat

I am in no way affiliated with any of the companies listed above nor is this paid advertising, ensure to do your research before enlisting the relevant services.

Do you have companies you would like to add to the lists above? Feel free to leave in the comments section.

Office Lime

Christmas is around the corner which is the time of year most companies organize staff parties. However it is customary that departments throw their own breakfasts, luncheon or party to bond with co-workers. Now trinis don't need any reason to celebrate, but with the many public holidays the Christmas office lime might be the 99th lime for the year lol. I admire a team that not only works hard but can also play hard.

Planning an office lime can be quite fun, be it a colleague is expecting a baby, someone tying the knot, retiring, carnival lime or emancipation day cook-off. Here's how to turn your office party from blah to blow-out. The first step is organizing some of the more social colleagues into a committee, who can share ideas on food, venues, decor, games etc. Other colleagues can be invited to email or vote on ideas before finalization to avoid grumbling about plans made.

If you can't afford to hire a DJ for the office lime, don't be afraid to use in-house talent. There are usually one or two colleagues who are inner DJs with playlist upon playlist of music who will be happy to be the DJ for the event. You can also YouTube songs however you must have reliable internet service, there's nothing like buffering music when the party has already started swinging. Be sure to determine who will be the DJ before the event so that they can walk with their playlist, wireless speakers etc and that they have a wide genre of music.

Whats an office lime without plenty food. All colleagues can be asked to contribute money towards food which can be catered out or usually there are a few chefs among staff. Someone can collect monies from staff to buy the ingredients and a colleague cook a pot of pelau, oil down or curry. Alternatively everyone can be asked to prepare (or buy lol) a dish to share with colleagues however the menu should be confirmed with everyone before the lime to ensure people don't show up with the same dish.

DIY

Here are six tips when planning a office lime for your department or team.

• Ensure to put labels in front of all dishes, as persons may not eat certain meats or food for religious reasons, due to allergies or diet restrictions.
• Commence planning a month or two in advance to ensure the event comes off seamless with little or no hiccups.
• Come up with interactive games and activities to avoid staff staying within their little cliques.
• For office parties held around Christmas, staff can be asked to walk with non-perishables and unwrapped toys to donate to charity. Its the season for giving.
• Limit alcohol or provide delicious non-alcoholic wines, we do not want Mr. Z babbling about the time he got a 'piece of tabanca' and all the details nor do we want to be responsible for any accidents. Arrange transport or designated driver for car pooling.
• The lime can also be held out doors for a change of scenery.

Do you have tips you would like to share? Let us know in the comments section.

Cricket Lime

Now its no secret (or maybe it is as most people can't place my accent) I am from the beautiful Spice isle Grenada so any opportunity to support my country, other small Island or the West Indies for that matter I am in. Imagine you in the Queens Park Oval (Trinidad) with five girlfriends backing the Lucian 'Zouks' and everybody watching you cross eyes lol. Although we lost, the rhythm section, the spirit of the crowd, the Carib/Stag boys (hint to Carib) lol and overall vibe of the lime I will never forget. Now the parking in and around the Oval can be a nightmare so why not have your own cricket, soccer or game day lime in the comfort of your own home that will have all your guests cheering until next seasons opening day kick-off.
Here's a few reasons to throw a lime home:

• Cleaner bathroom and no long lines;
• Little or no parking issues;
• No parking or wrecker fees and vandalized vehicle;
• No ridiculous bill at a sports bar; and
• You don't have to face the terrible traffic to get out of Port of Spain.

People will be moving in and out of their seats, a comfortable game viewing environment should be created. Your couch may not be able to accommodate everyone, in this case throw pillows or floor cushions can be used to create comfortable seats for guests. Stools or even lawn/patio chairs can be used and strategically placed around the room so that everyone can see the game.

Popular game day food such as wings are great crowd pleasers, other food or snack ideas are pizza, KFC, hot dogs, burgers, shrimp or chicken wantons, fish/chicken fingers, channa, nuts, polourie, nachos, chilli, popcorn, pretzels etc. When it comes to drinks you can't go wrong with beers together with other alcohol. To put an interesting spin on the drinks an assortment of beers can be bought to create a great beer tasting experience. Don't forget cases of water for guests to sober up before driving home.

DIY
Here are six tips when planing your own game day party.

• Create some vibe and keep your guests spirited by having a few shades of face paint on hand in the colors of your favorite team or country.
• Get creative with the presentation of your food and you can even order cup cakes with your team logo and colors.
• If you do not have a 50' flat screen do not fear, you can rent a projector that is compatible with your TV and project against a white wall. No white wall, just throw a white sheet over the surface and problem solved.
• Guests can be asked to walk with a bottle, case of beer or dish to avoid putting a strain on your pocket.
• Vegetables and fruits can also be served to cater to your vegetarian guests.
• Use disposable plates, cups and utensils to avoid a major clean up after the 'lime'. 

Do you have tips you would like to share? Let us know in the comments section.

Bachelor + Bachelorette

Bachelor Party
If you're the best man in your friends' wedding you have several important responsibilities to fulfill. The first is plan a bachelor party for your bro. 

Men may be surprised to learn that the tradition of having a bachelor party is rooted in ancient times. A dinner for the groom-to-be was held the night before the wedding which was designed for male bonding and to celebrate the groom-to-be important rite of passage from single life to marriage. Today's' bachelor parties have ditched the civilized affair in favor of a raunchy night out about town with a combination of booze, strippers and gambling. However debauchery is not the only thing that goes hand in hand with the grooms last night of freedom, you don't need naked women (ok maybe you do lol) to have fun just good beer and your bros.

Timing is everything, now the last thing you want is a groom who has a hangover on his big day. The bachelor party can be held up to a month before the wedding, of course most people will prefer closer to the wedding so I would suggest the week before or the week of the wedding. Once the date is set, other particulars such as invitations and location can be finalized. 

Destination bachelor parties has become quite popular over the years, however although a destination party can offer tons of entertainment options it can be quite costly. Some of the top destinations for a bachelor or even a bachelorette party are Las Vegas, Seattle, Atlantic City, New Orleans, Quebec, Mexico or right next door to Tobago. Alternatively you can stay right here in Trinidad and have fun just rent a villa in Toco, South or Manzanilla to name a few. Ensure to consult with the group, consider the cost of getting to your destination, hotel, entertainment, food etc before finalizing the trip.

DIY

Here are six tips when planning a bachelor party.

• Make sure no one drives home drunk, arrange transport to get everyone home after the party maybe hire a limo or cab service.
• Split costs between everyone attending the party except the groom.
• Destination bachelor parties should be planned months in advance, this way you can save on ticket prices and hotel costs even tickets for shows/concerts can be booked in advance at a lower costs.
• Ensure to inquire about group rates when booking airline tickets and hotels to further drive costs down.
• Be creative, while a night out partying might be fun, be sure to schedule an activity that will be more memorable in the long run such as a down the island tour and cook-out.
• Don't forget to take pics.

Do you have tips you would like to share? Let us know in the comments section.