It's almost summertime...my favorite time of the year!
When we aren't under the threat of a hurricane, my family can usually be found outdoors. Whether it be barbecuing on the holidays, hosting pool parties for the cousins, or throwing parties for our friends, our patio gets a ton of use during the hot summer months.
The only problem with these outdoor soirees is that our lighting in the back yard kind of sucks. We have two porch lights over looking the patio, and that is it. They don't even emit a lot of light!
I used to throw a few candles out there when we had people over for additional lighting, but when it's 95 degrees out and we're all sweating, those candles did more harm than good!
I've started looking through Flashing Blinky Lights for ideas of ways to incorporate more lighting without actually installing new outdoor lights...and boy, do they have a ton of options to choose from! Right away, I saw that they have LED candles, so that we can have our additional light source without the heat of a regular candle, and cool LED centerpieces, which would save me the trouble of worrying about table centerpieces and serve the purpose of additional light!
For a more major source of light, they also have light up decorations like lighted garden balls, cubes that can serve as seating space, and strings of lighted flowers...and lighted speakers for MP3 players!
They also have these cool drink pitchers that light up in different colors! They'd be perfect for my Sangria!
Photo Courtesy FlashingBlinkyLights.com
How cool is that?!
They also have light up cups, plates, serving platters and ice cubes! I can totally see going with a 70's party theme and using all of the fiber optic party supplies - you know how I love my themed parties!
Of course, you can't just have light up bar ware around the children. One look at that blinking Sangria pitcher and I know my nieces and nephews will want something fun of their own to play with! And as most parents have figured out, the more happy and entertained your children are at parties, the more fun everyone is able to have!
I found more fun items that are perfect for keeping the kiddies happy like glow sticks, light up jewelry - even lighted wands and swords! Flashing Blinky Lights even has adorable blinking pins in the theme of Memorial Day and Fourth of July that are shaped like the Statue of Liberty and the American flag!
You can find lots of cool ideas on the Flashing Blinky Lights blog, with everything from craft ideas to party planning and holiday themes!
Alison
Oooh those look like so much fun! I want!
Mellisa
These look so cool! We are outside a lot in the summer and my kids would love to have one of these!!!
Canadian Mom Blogger
My kids would love those! They are cool!
Theresa
These look like so much fun!!
Penelope
That is really cool (I don't know why but I always loved that sort of stuff)
Crystal
How cool! I can see how those could really liven up a party.
1stopmom
The blinking lights are so cool.
Jenn
Cute! Not just for the kiddos.
Stefanie
Very cool!
Billie
Those look like a lot of fun.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work
I know my kids would love them!
Lolo
That is so fun! We are going to have to get some!
Tricia Night owl mama
we love light up products especially for out door activities and parties
Maureen
Those are really cool!!