Festive Party Ideas on the Today Show!
Last week during my regular appearance on the Today Show, I shared some festive party ideas, which appeared in the January issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine. Inspiration for the story was generated from celebrating the magazine’s twentieth anniversary. Today Show co-host Meredith Viera, was actually celebrating her birthday that day, so the timing was quite apropos. I displayed our “Who’s Counting?” cake, a cake in the shape of numbers, using simple stencils from my website. The numbers are cut out from a sheet cake, then iced with buttercream, and topped with two-pounds of brightly-colored M&Ms. I showed how to create really fun party hats, personalized with enlarged photos, also using a template from my website. And in keeping with the photo theme, I showed how to make a photo-lined acrylic serving tray, photo balloons, and even photo cupcakes.
1 Last week on the Today Show, I shared some festive party ideas with Matt and Meredith.
2 The timing was perfect because it was actually Meredith's birthday.
3 Of course, we discussed my lip injury, the result of a head butt from Francesca, one of my French bulldogs.
4 We call this our 'Who's Counting?' cake using number stencils from my website. Simply lay the stencils on a sheet cake and cut around each one with a pairing knife. Decorate with buttercream and M&Ms.
5 Create a grand gesture with balloons. Attach blown up balloons to a wall with double-sided tape.
6 You can make these great party hats using a template from my website.
7 Enlarge a photo and print it on legal paper before cutting out the template.
8 For this segment, we printed photos of all the Today Show personalities.
9 You can also make these serving trays by lining the bottom of an acrylic tray with an enlarged snapshot cut to fit.
10 Similarly, you can attach photos to Mylar balloons using spray adhesive.
11 You can even have photos printed on edible paper to decorate the tops of cupcakes!
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What neat ideas for a party.
Gloria G!!!
Posted by: Gloria | February 1st, 2011 at 12:08 am
Looks like tons of fun. Hope you don't mind me posting the link to the video clip:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34318224/ns/today-today_cooking_school#41271738
Posted by: Sonya | February 1st, 2011 at 12:58 am
Martha, do you come up with the ideas for the Today's Show or do you have a staff that comes up with them. There is just no way you can have all these creative ideas....or is there? Anyway, today was my mother's 82nd birthday and I rushed home early from work to make a cake like the one your had on the Today's Show. It was a hit and of course I gave you credit! I have a pic of it but not sure if you have time or care to see it. It was a hit though!! Take care and love love love you!!!!!! Rich
Posted by: Ricahard Taylor | February 1st, 2011 at 4:10 am
I so love the M&M cake idea! I might do that for one of my sons birthdays this year. It's a great look.
Posted by: Amy Wooten | February 1st, 2011 at 5:33 am
I watched it live on Orbit News channel you looked amazing! love the party ideas so inspiring.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | February 1st, 2011 at 5:39 am
Loved you on Monday with Marlo. Meredith was cute making fun of Matt and good to have all those M personalities on Today Show. I do not miss Katie but Jane Pauley and Tom Brokaw are a legend 'round these parts..
Posted by: ann | February 1st, 2011 at 9:00 am
...love these...the cake, balloons, and hats will show up at my 10 year old's next birthday...he won't be happy, but the other mothers will be impressed...
Posted by: Monica | February 1st, 2011 at 9:33 am
Hi Martha,
You never fail to impress me with your less than 5 minute Today show presentations. You and your staff always make sure everything is beautiful looking and you remain focused on your task of showing us how we can do the same thing no matter what Meredith or Matt may do to try to distract you. This was a great party idea and I might even make that cake. I will have to get a few more M&Ms though since I’m sure I’d eat 'some' as I decorated. I was able to watch this segment last week but it was fun to watch again. Thanks! Trish
Posted by: Trish @ Trish_EllenC | February 1st, 2011 at 11:09 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for providing this fun video of your last appearance on the Today Show with Matt and Meredith. It's so much fun to see you on that show with them-they are such characters who have so much fun joking around with you and each other. Can't wait to see you on the Today Show again on Feb. 9th and 23. Loved the great party ideas, especially the 'Whose Counting' cake. Who ever made that cake sure did a terrific job. Loved seeing your new 'Martha Bakes' on Hallmark Channel Home yesterday! It was fantastic! Snow again today in NY? Stay warm and have a great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 1st, 2011 at 11:53 am
Hi Martha, I've been away. I'm back now and I am glad to be. I've been without a PC for about 19 days. I'm so sorry to hear of your mishap with the injury. I hurt all over for you. I spent most of yesterday catching up on your tweets and blog history since I've been gone. I hope all is well with you and look forward to sharing in your blog again. Thank you. And thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | February 1st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Martha, I'll be watching Friday night when Letterman airs.
Posted by: KLBrown | February 1st, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Martha,
It was such a delight to watch. I saw you on the Today show this morning. You are so uplifting and savvy! I miss not seeing your show, since don't have the Hallmark schedule through ATT uverse.
I had the pleasure of sitting in the Oprah audience, when you were in Chicago this past Fall. It was so much fun to see you up close and personal. I dream of seeing you in NY. Though, with baby #3 coming in August, I'm not sure when that will come to fruition.
Thank you for Always Inspiring!! Today, you're Chicken Soup recipe is on my list for the big Chicago storm ahead. Cheers and Thank you!! Stay warm there too!
Posted by: Ursula | February 1st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Thank you..really informative!!
Posted by: softstars | February 1st, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Love the new Martha Bakes show!!! it's only been on once, but, it has the feel and the look of the old shows that I love....no audience, more personable...just Martha and us:)....is it taped/filmed in your home Martha??....thank you!!
Posted by: joyce | February 2nd, 2011 at 3:17 pm
I absolutely love all the birthday party things! I can't wait to try some of them for a friend's birthday soon! I love the photos on the wall to make the numbers. Too cute! Though I think I would feel weird eating a cupcake with someone's head pictured on it, so I might try the m and m cake first.
-Blair
Posted by: Blair | February 2nd, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Oh, how FUN! I adore that cake. What fantastic ideas!
Posted by: Faith from OrdinaryMommy | February 3rd, 2011 at 10:33 am
I loved the show today! Cant wait to see you I actually have a ticket to be on the show 2/9!! I am so excited to come to NYC and be at the taping of a show. Anxiously awaiting you to post what the show is going to be on that day! See you soon!
Posted by: Tim Lee | February 3rd, 2011 at 4:42 pm
I made the cake for my father-in-law's birthday...and people are still talking about it!
I used blue,green. and white m and m's, perfect for a gentleman.It made such an impression because it's large, bright, as well as delicious!
Many offers came to re-create the cake for birthdays coming up! I think I'll just pass the recipe on!!
Thanks for the wonderful idea!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Platis | February 8th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Hey Martha!
I love your party ideas and enjoyed the show as well! I'd love to see the show live in NYC! 
I am planning a retro party and would love to hear some tips from you!
i found some great info here
http://blog.eventish.com/2011/09/19/top-6-tips-on-organizing-the-greatest-retro-party-ever/
See if you like it, guys!
Love ya! :*
Posted by: Jennifer | September 20th, 2011 at 1:35 am