Card & Party Giant Party Supplies Blog — graduation

CPG can help Personalize a Local Graduation Party 0

Card & Party Giant, a local retail party store, caters to its community and offers great online service and selection for customers across the nation. When it comes time for local high school and college graduations, Card & Party Giant is the source for party decorations that demonstrate school spirit at the table and in the décor. In addition to napkins with logos for the schools featured in the accompanying image, you also can select items featuring the University of Illinois logo. And, for Glenbrook North and South, Loyola Academy and New Trier, there are mylar balloons featuring the school logo to create special balloon bouquets honoring your local graduate.  The napkin designs complement solid color tableware selections to add a special touch to your party.  The store also carries an array of graduation party supplies ranging from props and accessories for photos, to wear to school parties and to show your support at graduation, or to create an entertaining ambiance at the party you host in your home. If you have a special graduate and you want to make sure he/she sees you as they exit the processional, then we’ve got personalized banners that you can order.  Orders can be placed now or closer to the date of your event. Card & Party Giant is a full-service party store that serves local customers and online shoppers with the care that only a small family-owned business can give.  Visit us. We’re open 7 days a week for your shopping convenience.

Commencement Ceremonies 2016 0

We’re just getting ready to turn the corner on the spring holidays and head into graduation season.  In our community, there are commencement celebrations for elementary students moving into middle school, for middle school students moving on to high school, for high school students who will begin their college or career experiences, and for local college students. Every town, village, and city within ten miles any direction from the party store is having a graduation celebration between May 17^th through June 17^th (a list of commencement dates is at the end of this blog post). Graduation parties are a joyous, memorable time. Grandparents and parents gather round to mark the right of passage from one life phase to another. The children are happy because they know their summer break is about to begin, and almost everyone is excited about the prospects of moving on to something “bigger and better.” Planning a graduation party is easier today than ever before. You can visit our Card & Party Giant party store online to get ideas about what’s available. You can stop in the Glenview party store and check out the inventory that will fill the shelves as the Easter holiday party decorations and supplies are rotated off the floor and graduation party supplies take a place front and center! Card & Party Giant is your local party store for graduation party supplies with a large selection of 2016 Graduation party decorations, cards, balloons, custom banners, and more at the Glenview store. Call ahead for balloon orders and deliveries.  In addition to party supplies and other party incidentals, Card & Party Giant also has chairs and tables for rent, and offer a limited selection of local school logo party supplies (OLPH, Loyola, Glenbrook South, Glenbrook North). To help you plan, following is a list of local graduation dates: May 17^th – Oakton Community College (Des Plaines) May 22^nd - Evanston Township High School (Evanston) May 22^nd - Maine West High School (DesPlaines) May 22^nd –New Trier High School (Wilmette) May 28^th – Loyola Academy (Wilmette) May 28^th – Regina Dominican High School (Wilmette) May 29^th - Niles North High School (Skokie) May 29^th - Niles Township High School  (Skokie) May 29^th - Niles West High School (Skokie) June 1^st – OLPH (Glenview) June 2^nd – Baker Demonstration School (Wilmette) June 5^th – Glenbrook North High School (Northbrook) June 5^th – Glenbrook South High School (Glenview) June 7^th - Ida Crown Jewish Academy (Skokie) June 17^th – Northwestern University (Evanston)    

Reflections of Yesteryear 0

Yesterday was the graduation of our granddaughter’s 8^th grade class. The ceremony was attended by close to a thousand spectators who came to see their child, sibling, grandchild, or friend receive the diploma that acknowledges completion of middle school. As I looked across the sea of faces popping from the red graduation gowns, I thought that these 8^th graders looked more grown up than I remembered my own children looking at that age. Certainly the young ladies seemed much more grown up than what I remember being at that age. When I returned home I looked at my own 8^th grade graduation photos. I was surprised to see that, in fact, I was looking quite “grown up” in my own right. My hair had been styled. I was wearing a fancy dress. My shoes had a small heel and I had on just a touch of makeup – something I am sure my parents did not typically allow for me at 14. I then began comparing our granddaughter’s experience to my own. The commencement ceremonies were quite different. Growing up, I attended a very small school. Our class was less than 100 students. Hers was closer to 500.  Our school had no band, no orchestra. Last night’s ceremony featured the school band playing the Battle Hymn of the Republic and a very moving rendition of “For Good” by the school orchestra. Last night’s audience included family and friends, some donning graduation party accessories – oversized 2015 glasses, red streaks in the hair to show school spirit. Attire ranged from dressy to casual with some dressed in shorts and tee shirts. Back when I graduated, oh so many long years ago, family members put on their Sunday best. That I know for sure. Afterwards the children were talking about getting together at a friend’s homes for sleepovers or sitting around a bonfire. The “formal” graduation parties are scheduled from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.  Back in the late 1960’s we returned home with family members for cake and ice cream. No matter how graduation celebrated, how the program is orchestrated, when the graduation party is held, or how the children or their admirers are attired, the ceremony is for a group of children to march through another stepping stone in life’s journey. They gather one last time with the classmates who sat side by side with them for their years of middle school. As a collective they are given an ovation that acknowledges their completion of 8^th grade and a diploma that says they are prepared for high school. And whether the commencement was 20 years ago, 40 years ago or yesterday, it is an occasion that gives parents pause to reflect upon how quickly their child has grown and to ponder how soon this child will be off to college. Parents’ smiles bear the hint of fear of the unknown for what lies ahead for their little one. Their hearts beat a little faster as they silently whisper wishes of success and easy times in their child’s future.  Graduation is the exclamation point of completion of a program.  For 8^th grade graduates, it is one of those moments when parents and grandparents reflect and begin to internalize how quickly this child will become an independent adult. Congratulations to all graduates and especially to our lovely granddaughter.

Customer Service #1 0

Customer Service Before I became employed at Card & Party Giant at the end of 2014, it was more than 40 years since I last was in retail. Back then it was a sales and cashier position for a national women’s clothing chain. I worked on the second floor of the downtown Chicago store and was responsible for knowing the casual clothing line inventory. I helped stock racks and package damaged items for return. I rang sales and helped customers.  Working as a sales clerk and cashier taught me valuable lessons about how to treat customers, about the importance of knowing the store’s inventory, and to always check and double check when ringing a sale or making change. These are simple, sound principles that carry through whether you’re selling women’s clothing or party supplies. At Card & Party Giant, my primary role is bookkeeper. That means I spend more time in the back room than on the floor. Occasionally I offer assistance on the floor, but I know at least for the time being I lack the confidence of knowing the inventory. While it may be easy, for example, to learn where the “everyday” tableware is located, it has not been as easy for me to recall where to lead a customer looking for a specific birthday party theme. I also struggle with the seasonal items - patriotic party goods for Memorial Day or 4^th of July, Luau party designs for a perfect summer theme, greeting cards that rotate based on the holiday, season, or event. Graduation decorations and balloons. Oh yes, and speaking of balloons, there’s packaged balloons, latex and mylar balloons that come in a variety of colors – including neon and patterns. There are sports-themed balloons, school logo balloons, licensed-character designs. And for the convenience of customers, they come in different sizes with options that include hi-float to keep helium inflated balloons for a longer period of time. Some of the Card & Party Giant staff can customize these expertly designed centerpieces using balloons and decorative holders.  I must confess, I am impressed! This has been an education for me. I learned that many people purchase dress-up accessories for their graduation parties, and have learned to identify the location for quite a few interesting accessories that are available in most of the local school colors. Things like oversized sunglasses, wigs, and temporary tattoos are apparent favorites. Parents also seem to favor banners to congratulate their son or daughter.  I discovered that piñatas ready to stuff with delicious candies and party favors are available in various sizes and designs. This store really has so much to offer! I am still perhaps the slowest helper on the floor (if and when called upon to assist), but at least I am learning and hope to one day be able to help out in a much more meaningful way because Card & Party Giant is really all about customer service. Until then, I can only continue to thank the customers for their patience and appreciation.

Graduation Party Tips 0

I must confess, when it comes to ideas for sprucing up a party venue, I would not be the first person you’d come to. If you asked, I’d tell you that for me to have the perfectly decorated party, I call someone like my sister and seek assistance. She has an eye for making a perfect party backdrop that complements the day's photos. She seems to have a magic hat full of tricks and ideas on how to mix and match things to get that perfect fit. But sadly she has a very busy life of her own so I usually have to go it alone. Recently I came across some helpful party tips, and I hope these few that I share here today will come in handy as you prepare for upcoming graduation parties. Using alternative color streams (school colors) and double sided tape you can create a unique palette motif. Streamers also can be used to create a colorful buffet table. You can tape them to the base of vases, bowls, and candle holders. And when you add colorful tablecloths, balloons, and banners, the end result is an artistic array of party decorations sure to enhance all your party photos. Another helpful idea that will guide guests to your front door in the evening is to take a bunch of school color balloons with a glow stick inside in each one and tie them to the railing or outside deck.  Not only are they attractive, the light will help your guests as they come and go in the evening. Yes, graduation season is definitely here. Locally ceremonies are just beginning with college graduations. And from kindergarten to high school, there will be graduation parties, ceremonies and celebrations throughout the month of June. You can show your school spirit and commemorate your graduate’s big day with party decorations to match the school colors. Everything from graduation balloons, streamers, tableware, favors, and banners can be arranged to create a colorful and artistic backdrop for all your grad party photos. And remember, big or little, kids love piñatas. Be sure to visit Card & Party Giant in Glenview to check our selection of tableware colors or special graduation-themed party supplies. This family-owned store is open 7 days a week for the convenience of local shoppers.