I started planning my son’s 1st birthday party from the day he was born! I enjoy every single detail that goes into planning a party, and working at My Paper Shop is an added bonus. I have helped plan countless events for friends and family, so Jordan’s first birthday was going to be a big celebration. I incorporated a lot of yellow, blue, and white color tones to create a warm and festive party setting.
Author Archives: Ruby Cardenas
How To Make Lent Fun For Kids
Lent officially begins next week on Ash Wednesday (March 5th); this gives us six weeks to prepare for the celebration of Easter. This solemn time in the liturgical calendar can oftentimes be difficult to explain to kids and so it is an opportunity for us adults to shed some light on this period of preparation. Lent is observed by the majority of Christian denominations during which we use prayer, penance, almsgiving, self-denial to get ready for Easter. Because explaining the passion of the Christ is so gory and solemn, it is important to find a hands on approach to introducing the information to young children. These are a few suggestions that could easily work for bible school or at home with your own kids. Continue reading
5 Little-Known January Holidays
When you think of January, you think of fresh starts, new beginnings, parties, champagne, etc. It’s a busy month and it’s completely okay to overlook that January holidays are perhaps the oddest holidays. I picked five of these little-known January holidays to share because there is literally a wacky celebration to look forward to on each day of the month. Some of them have got to be made up, but we’ll roll with it for the sake of starting the year off with laughs and a lighthearted approach to 2014. By the way, what are some of your New Year’s resolutions this year? We’d love to hear the challenges you have set for yourselves this coming year.
How To Make Christmas Birthdays Special
I’m not a Christmas baby, but I have a sister, a nephew, friends and a cousin who have birthdays the day before and the days after. They’re not crazy about their birthdate and with good reason.It’s important to make Christmas birthdays special, especially if they are for friends and family! It’s commonly heard that if your birthday lands on any of these critical days, then more than likely a.) you’ll get one gift that counts for Christmas and your birthday, b.) you’ll get a birthday gift wrapped in Christmas paper, c.) your friends are busy spending the holidays with family, d.) your family temporarily forgets it’s your birthday, and the list goes on. Just as we get one day of the year that’s all about us, they deserve one as well.
How To Navigate Cyber Monday
If you hate waking up at 4AM after the Thanksgiving holiday, camping outside of a major department store or getting trampled over in a crazed-shopper stampede, then Cyber Monday is the sale for you. It is the virtual version of Black Friday and every homebody’s dream. The rules for how to navigate this major shopping event are quite similar to the rules we discussed for Black Friday, nonetheless, let’s review. I can’t wait to shop in my PJs on Monday morning! Continue reading
How To Get Ready For Black Friday
Thanksgiving is a holiday focused on being grateful and appreciative of our family, friends, and blessings in our life. The day after Thanksgiving our country celebrates Black Friday, a “holiday” that glorifies shopping by the cartload and trampling over each other for the best deals. It’s a total oxymoron, but nevertheless it’s the reality. Now, on the upside, Black Friday is great for getting big items on your Christmas list at bargain deals and off your list well in advance. We’re not all in the position to be paying full price for anything so 40-60% off is a real load off our chest. To get the most out of the post-Thanksgiving sales this year, make sure to do your homework!
How To Set Your Thanksgiving Table
The Thanksgiving countdown is in full effect and it’s crunch time for preparing your feast menu and Thanksgiving table decorations. Now most people typically decorate for the fall in October, focusing mainly on Halloween accents. As soon as the Halloween festivities have passed, the jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches, haunted houses, etc., come down and out come the maple leaf cutouts, pumpkins, gourds, pine cones, and earth tone napkins, placemats. Thanksgiving is a holiday infused with good food and good company-friends and family alike. We are celebrating our blessings and that calls for an elegant, yet budget-friendly table setup.
Pumpkin Thanksgiving Centerpieces
5 Reasons to Celebrate Veteran’s Day
Veteran’s Day is about a week and a half away. That means there’s still plenty of time to put a little something together for the veterans in your family or community. It doesn’t have to be anything huge, but a thank you and a tip of the hat go a long way nowadays. On November 11, 1918, World War I ended and that is what was originally celebrated on that day. The President of the United States later made it a national holiday on which we honor those brave individuals that have served our country. So, break out your flags, prayers and/or gestures of gratitude on Monday, November 11, to celebrate their courageous service to our country.

USA Cloth Flags
Zebra Print Bridal Shower Party
Animal prints are still popular themes for bridal showers and bachelorette parties. I wanted to share some adorable pictures from a zebra print bridal shower that took place a couple weekends ago. One of our girls planned and decorated for the party. It was a success to say the least. I think she has a happy bride on her hands so far, which is great. We don’t want any bridezillas on the loose!
TMNT Halloween or Birthday Party Idea
Halloween parties are loads of fun for both kids and adults. Fact: You’re never too old to play dress up. I mean, there’s no law against running around town dressed in a costume on a daily basis, but if it’s for Halloween then let your creativity run wild. Do you remember The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (aka TMNT)? They became popular in the 90s and apparently have become the most current trend for young boys. Just this past weekend I attended a TMNT themed birthday party and it dawned on me that it could just as well have been a fun Halloween party!