Daddy Daughter date night

vslg1 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-24-2007, 02:54 AM

I know I can always count on you all for guidance...As some of you may know...I've recently moved from my home to a warehouse...and I have enough room for a multipurpose room which I've taken the past 9 months and thousands of dollars to build out and decorate...It's still a work in progress...but since the winter months are normally pretty lean for those of us in the inflatable / party rental business I had to do something to help soften the blow...So I host children's parties (with inflatables), baby showers, bridal showers, and smaller adult functions...I could probably make a killing if I allowed alcohol on premises or allowed the 18 - 25 year old crowd to party there...but I'm really trying to avoid the headaches that come with that...plus with just maybe a few cocktail style tables setup...I can probably comfortably hold 75-100 people...usually with an inflatable or two between 15 and 20 children works pretty good...

ANYHOW...I'm looking for ways to host a few events that can bring in some income on non-peak days...for instance I have a family night every Thursday...from 4- 8 for only $5.00 per child...I charge for things like cotton candy, popcorn, juice boxes, and crafts such as spin art or sand art...I don't make a ton of money so far on these nights...but it is exposure for those that visit...they get to see that they can have a private party there and also get to see the other types of things we offer during the non-cold months...(we don't have air conditioning, so we probably won't host many in the summer, but that's the peak season for outdoor rentals so we should be good, and there's always rain alternatives...)

I had Santa the past few Thursdays...and that worked out really well...I was able to take pictures and did well enough to pay my staff...

An event that I'm considering...is a daddy/daughter date night...and so far, this is what I've come up with...
So far here is where I am...

4pm - 7pm Feb. 24th...I've researched and found that the Super Bowl is Feb. 3rd...Valentine's Day would consume the next few weekends...and the 17th is the NBA Allstar Game...I figured my chances of getting a bunch of guys to step away from the tv were minimal on some of those days...

girls ages 5 to 12 or 5 and up...and their fathers or father figures...semi-formal attire...

4-5 Meet and Greet & Photos
5-6 Dinner (Buffet style)
6-7 Activities & Dancing

I'm thinking $40 per couple
Minimum 25 couples
Maximum 40 couples

Photos will be $10.00 for a 5x7...Hopefully I'll be able to put them in front of a green screen and give them an option of backgrounds

Dinner has yet to be determined...but in order to be able to make some money, I'm thinking of some sort of pasta/chicken combination...I'm also thinking of asking a few businesses or caterers to donate pans of food...in exchange for inclusion in our program...and perhaps a table tent with their name on it next to their donation during dinner time...

Activities will include each couple making a teddy bear (I offer a service called Kritter Kreations) to be given to the daughter...a first dance...and general dancing to follow...(I've even thought of bringing someone in to teach everyone a dance...maybe a waltz...or a type of dancing known in the Chicagoland area as steppin') We offer DJ'ing so I can have one of my staff handle that...

A couple of other things I've thought of would be...a carnation to give each daughter...if I can find them wholesale...or even including that as an upgrade option...perhaps a wrist corsage...
Another upgrade option would be a limo service...I know some guys in that field that might be able to help...
I'd also like to be able to offer the fathers something...from the girls...maybe a pin of some time...we make buttons as well...My biggest expense thus far would be food...so I'm battling with that at the moment...

Whattya think so far? I've got alot to still consider...but I'd love some feedback from my clown-forum family...positive or negative...In addition, any thoughts on how I could or should alter these plans to offer something similar for mothers and sons...I went to a mother/son prom but I was a senior in high school...or...any other events you can think of that I could offer...? Something you perhaps were a part of that you thought was a good idea...I've also toyed with PGA - Parents Get Away where we would essentially babysit the kids for like...3-4 hours while they got away for a date...or dinner...or even just a nap...lol

tim · #2 (**permalink**) 12-24-2007, 12:09 PM

The PGA sounds like something with GREAT potential.

Whereabout in Chicagoland are you, anyway?

vslg1 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-24-2007, 12:28 PM

I'm over east...just south of Hyde Park...I'm on 75th & Blackstone...one block west of Stony Island...

tim · #4 (**permalink**) 12-24-2007, 12:41 PM

NW side, myself. But I'll have to make it down there some Thursday night when you're open for business.

Fitzwilly · #5 (**permalink**) 12-25-2007, 02:44 AM

Here is the South Bend, IN area a big deal in the early spring are 50's dances, both mother/son and father/daughter.

The food would be cheap, burgers and fries. Lots of ideas for picture backdrops.

tim · #6 (**permalink**) 12-25-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitzwilly

Here is the South Bend, IN area a big deal in the early spring are 50's dances, both mother/son and father/daughter.

The food would be cheap, burgers and fries. Lots of ideas for picture backdrops.

Greasy meatloaf and mashed potatoes... YUM!

Sassy Frass · #7 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 02:00 AM

Actually the burgers & fries might suprise you!!
They are really good!!!

Fitzwilly · #8 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 03:22 AM

They don't call them "Gut-bombs" and "Sliders" for nothing.

Sassy Frass · #9 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 10:33 AM

Had White Castle last nite meself....Gotta say, I eat GOOD!!!

Fitzwilly · #10 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 01:33 PM

I wonder if VSLG1 has had any better ideas for the dance.