Puyallup Archives - Official Home for Puyallup Washington

Puyallup Florists

Posted on March 8, 2017by Hannah

Puyallup is lucky enough to have well-established florists in the community. Flowers are an important part of many occasions. From celebrations, funerals, dances, or just a kind gesture, flowers are a great way to say something without having to say anything at all. Below you will find some of the most popular florists in the Puyallup Area serving both downtown and South Hill.

Buds and Blooms

Buds and Blooms on South Hill in Puyallup, WA, is a family owned business that has been serving Puyallup Valley customers for over 30 years. They service and deliver to Graham, Edgewood, Federal Way, Auburn, Spanaway, Parkland, and Tacoma. They have a friendly staff of experienced and friendly designers, to assist you at any time with their custom design work for weddings, funerals, holidays or special occasions. Buds and Blooms carry a wide variety of fresh flowers, plants, European basket gardens, gifts, candles, balloons, stuffed animals to delight anyone. Their specialty is their selection of gourmet Seattle Chocolates and Chocolate Truffles, in many sizes.

3924 S. Meridian Puyallup WA 98374

(253) 848-8957

southhillbudsandblooms@gmail.com

Lady Bug Florist

The Lady Bug Florist is a local Puyallup, WA florist with over 30 years’ experience in delivering courteous and professional service, along with the highest quality floral and gift items around.

Owner and designer, Marilee Johnson invites you to order Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 8:00 to 3:00. The staff is ready to assist you with placing orders for local delivery or anywhere in the world. Not sure what to send? Let them offer some creative suggestions.

Wedding & Special Event Flowers with The Lady Bug Florist designing the bouquets and arrangements, your wedding is sure to be a “blooming success!” Call in advance at (253) 359-5268 and schedule a consultation with one a talented floral expert. They also offer on-site decorating and corporate event planning as well.

Address: 6017 85th St E, Puyallup, WA 98371

Phone: (253) 359-5268

Benton’s Twin Cedars Florist

Benton’s Twin Cedars Florist is committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements and gifts, backed by service that is friendly and prompt. Shop hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Closed on Sundays.

To help assure on-time delivery during the busy holiday season, place your order at least 2 days prior to the following major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Administrative Professionals Week, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. This shop will always be closed on the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day Father’s Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Address: 724 E Main Ave, Puyallup, WA 98372

Phone: (253) 845-9573

You should have no problem getting your needs met with so many great florists nearby!

Puyallup

Inexpensive yet Thoughtful Gifts and Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 10, 2017by Thera

Showing your love for someone for Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to involve showering that person with a lot of expensive gifts. There is an inundation of advertising for expensive jewelry, expensive flowers and expensive gifts leading up to February 14^th. But don’t be fooled by all these ads, the best gifts usually are the ones that come from the heart or gifts that show that a lot of thought went into it. People incorrectly assume that Valentine’s Day is about the gifts, but it is really about celebrating the love between two people. Whether it be the love in a romantic relationship, the love for a family member, or the love you have for your best friend, Valentine’s Day is the time to show those people your affection for them. Stumped for ideas? Here are some thoughtful gifts ideas to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day with loved ones without breaking the bank.

Technology is everywhere. We can’t escape it and it definitely can create a barrier between two people. Statistics say that Americans spend at least 4.7 hours per day on their phones. That is an awful lot of time spent not interacting with loved ones. This year for Valentine’s Day, give the gift of undivided attention. Put away the electronics and spend time with a loved one. Offer 24 hours of no tech and make the most of that time and have a deep conversation with the person you love.

Scavenger hunts are a fun way to spend a day. For Valentine’s Day, create a scavenger hunt that celebrates your love for your partner by taking them down a trip through memory lane. Create clues that will take your partner to all your favorite date spots, or maybe to the spot where you first kissed, or told them that you loved them. This sweet way to commemorate your love will be very much appreciated by your partner. Not only will it show that your loved one that you remember all your most important shared memories but it will also renew a romantic spark.

Puyallup might be a smaller city but it is full of history and charm Oftentimes, it is difficult to get out enjoy the city or take the time to visit the museums or historical places of significance because of time. Take this Valentine’s Day to explore the city and be a tourist with your loved one. Get to know the history of the city and enjoy your surroundings. Visit the Meeker Manson for Valentine’s Day tea or take a romantic walk through one of the gorgeous parks in Puyallup. Puyallup is known for some of the best antique shops in the state so make sure to take a stroll through history at one of the many shops at antique row.

The city of Puyallup is lucky to have such a wonderful library. Take time this Valentine’s Day to visit the Puyallup library. Located on South Meridian, the library is the best place to get free movies and books to enjoy with your significant other. Rent romantic books to read to one another. The library is also good for some classic, romantic movies like Casablanca or Sleepless in Seattle. Snuggle up on this stormy Valentine’s Day with some hot chocolate and a good classic book or movie!

People love compliments and your loved one is no exception. The most romantic way to give a compliment to your partner is through the Love Jar. Find a jar and cover it with cutout hearts and a sign that says “Love Jar”. Write out individual compliments on separate pieces of paper. Put all those love notes into the jar and seal it up. You can put as many compliments into the jar as you want. You can even put 365 of them into the jar and have your partner pull one out every day. A daily reminder of the reason why you love someone is a far better gift of expensive flowers or chocolates.

The weather in Washington is always unpredictable especially during the month of February. Staying indoors during this time of year and staying warm is always a good idea. For those of you who don’t want to brave the outdoors during Valentine’s Day, staying indoors and having a romantic picnic is a lovely and relaxing way to spend the holiday. Not only is a picnic less effort than a home cooked meal, but snuggling up and eating on a blanket, inside under candlelight is very romantic. Pack a picnic basket, lay out a blanket, and light some candles and enjoy the intimate setting of an indoor picnic.

No matter how you decide to spend Valentine’s Day, a thoughtful gift is always the best way to go. It is important to remember that the holiday is all about spending time with loved ones. The city of Puyallup has so much to offer when it comes to spending a romantic evening with the person you love. Tweet us and let us know what your plans are for Valentine’s Day!

Puyallup

Valentine’s Day Events and Activities in the Puyallup Area

Posted on February 3, 2017by Thera

Valentine’s day is such a special day for most couples. It is a night filled with romance and fun and a great holiday to celebrate your love for one another. Being in love is definitely worth celebrating and the city of Puyallup has a lot to offer for couples and families who want to observe this celebration of love. Here is a list of fun or romantic events and activities to help make planning your Valentine’s Day easier.

The Puyallup Activity Center is hosting a St. Valentine’s Day Party for the seniors in the city. This fun party starts at 11:00 am on Friday, February 10^th at the Pioneer Park Pavilion. The Activity Center is excited to present “The Fun Singers” who will be performing along with the Sa’Diyah Belly Dancers for a fun filled hour of entertainment for the seniors. Entertainment is from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm with a lunch from 12:00 pm until 12:30 pm. There will be a raffle drawing at 12:30 pm. Remember to show your festive Valentine’s spirit by wearing Red, Pink or White! Also, please bring some canned food or a monetary donation to donate to the Puyallup Food Bank.

The South Hill Mall wants to help you save some money on a Valentine’s Day dinner. When you spend $75 at South Hill Mall between 2/1/17-2/14/17, bring your receipts to Customer Service at the mall and get $10 off at The Olive Garden and Famous Dave’s. Both restaurants would be a perfect place for a Valentine’s Day date. The vouchers are only valid at South Hill Mall locations ONLY. Receipts must also reflect same day sales. Online purchases are not eligible. Please know that you can only get one voucher pack per customer, per day.

Looking for a fun Valentine’s day event for your little ones? On February 14^th at 10:00 am, the Puyallup Public Library is partnering with Children’s Museum Tacoma to bring Puyallup families the fun-filled event “Play to Learn”. This free program is designed to make learning fun for children. Play to Learn is for parents, grandparents, neighbors, family, and friends who nurture children ages six and under. The curriculum will include individual play, fun group activities, songs, and a whole group circle time for children and adults to enjoy together. Come visit the Puyallup Library on Valentine’s Day for a wonderful time for the whole family.

The Meeker Mansion hosts a delightful tea service and their Valentine’s Day tea service is a fun and historical way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Come enjoy some cucumber sandwiches, scones, tarts, lemon bread, pumpkin bread, fruit of the season, and tea served in English Bone China cups and a tour of the mansion. Step back in time and learn about the history of the city of Puyallup. History buffs and old-fashioned romantics will love this traditional event. Reservations are required for the Tea and the cost is $12 per person. Tea time is at 1:30 pm. Make sure to reserve your spot in advance.

Valentine’s Day is a celebration not only for the love for your family, husband or loved ones but it can also be a celebration of your love for your puppy. On February 11^th from noon until 3:00 pm, the PetSmart in Puyallup is hosting the Puppy Love event for all those pet lovers and their puppies. Show your new furry friend love by learning the five secrets to puppy love and happiness through a KONG demonstration and get free GREENIES samples. There is a coupon giveaway along with an opportunity to create your own Valentine’s Day paw print keepsake, while supplies last.

Life is busy and time to unwind is rare. There is no better time to relax than on Valentine’s Day. Local spa Arabella Vitall, offers a popular couples package to help couples relax and enjoy each other’s company. The romantic spa date starts off with a soak in a private aromatherapy bath surrounded by candlelight while you both get to sip on sparkling cider. After a relaxing soak in the bath, you and your partner will enjoy a side-by-side couple’s massage. The Valentine’s Day package costs $209 and each couple will receive two keepsake champagne glasses. Reservations are required in advance and space is limited so make sure to call and reserve your spot today!

For the avid runners out there, The Valentine’s Day 5k Run on Ruston Way in Tacoma is a very athletic way to celebrate the holiday. This is a down and back run along Ruston Way, beginning at the park near the Point Ruston sprayground. The race, on Saturday, February 11^th at 8:00 am, will also feature a kids dash that is a one-mile dash for the children. Check in for the race starts at 7:00 am. For the 5k the cost to register will be $20 until February 5^th, then $25 from February 6-9^th and $30 on the day of the race. For the Kids Dash, the cost to run is $10 through February 5^th,$15 from February 6^th-9^th and then $20 on the day of the race. If you are looking for a healthy way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, make sure to sign up for this run!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and if you don’t have plans it is time to make them! Events and restaurants book up quickly for this romantic holiday. If you are looking for a restaurant in the Puyallup area, make sure to check out OpenTable to see which restaurants still have open reservations for that night. We hope that you and your loved ones have a perfectly romantic Valentine’s Day!

Puyallup, Real Estate

The Best Tips for Selling your Home in Puyallup

Posted on January 27, 2017by Thera

After the deep freeze we have been experiencing in the Northwest, it is nice to see some sunshine in the forecast. Since the sun is starting to come out, it is time to start getting your home ready for the market if you are planning to sell this spring. The market is crazy right now and on average, a home gets at least 3 offers within 24 hours of being listed but that is only if the home is in market ready condition. If you have ever wanted to sell your home, now is the time. It can be quite pricey to hire companies to stage the home or update it to get it market ready. However, there are simple and budget-friendly ways to update the home and then stage it for potential buyers. These inexpensive tips and tricks can be the difference between your house sitting on the market for 7 days or 70 days.

A major selling point to potential buyers is an updated kitchen. When updating the house, always put the kitchen first. Many agents say that you aren’t selling the home, you are selling the kitchen. The kitchen is the focal point of the whole home and the benefits of remodeling your kitchen can make the difference of about $10,000 in the listing price. An outdated kitchen can turn off potential buyers and a few simple fixes can include repainting the kitchen in a neutral color and adding inexpensive hardware. There cabinet repainting kits that can help you give your kitchen cabinets a new, fresh look. Giving your kitchen a neutral makeover can help the potential buyers envision their own style in the kitchen.

Minor repairs can also make a huge difference when it comes to attracting a buyer. Small details can turn buyers off because all they can think about it how that is just another thing that they will have to fix themselves after the exhaustive process of moving. Also, making minor repairs is a lot cheaper than a major overhaul and sometimes if you dump a lot of money into high-cost upgrades, chances are you will not get a good return on your investment. Paint the interior with neutral colors like eggshell and taupe to help create a backdrop that inspires the imagination of the buyers. Replace door handles, clean the grout in the bathroom, and fix any cracked tiles or leaky faucets. These small upgrades will help get your home market ready quickly and cheaply.

Once the upgrades have been completed, it is time to prep the home for staging. The first step in prepping is to completely let go of the idea that this is your home. This act of disassociation will help to get you into the selling mindset. Picture yourself handing over the keys to the new owners and make the mental decision that you will be moving into a new home. Say good-bye to the house and the great memories that were created there. Always remember to look towards to the future and not the past.

Once the kitchen has been updated and the minor changes have been made, it is time to get the home prepared for staging. The biggest aspect of getting your home ready for the sale, is to de-personalize the home. Carefully pack up all those personal photographs and family heirlooms. You want the potential buyers to envision their own personalized touches in the house to help them see themselves living there. Also, de-cluttering the home will also help create a clean slate for the buyer’s imagination. People end up accumulating a lot of stuff over the years and their homes and become full of excess things. De-cluttering will not only help make your move easier but will also help create that clean slate discussed above. The best way to approach the de-cluttering process, the KonMari method is the most comprehensive method of letting go of your stuff and getting organized. The KonMari method to tidying up revolves around the concept of purging those items that do not bring you joy. This no-excuse elimination process will help get your home ready for the market. If there are items that you absolutely must keep, then rent a storage unit to store the extra items that you wish to keep for your new home.

Once all the clutter and the personal items are gone, it is time to clean your home until it sparkles. When an agent starts bringing buyers into the house, those buyers go through everything. They will open the fridge and pull back the shower curtain. An unsightly home can turn off potential buyers so make sure to wash the windows, re-caulk tubs, shower and sinks, wax the floors, polish any chrome or stainless steel surfaces and dust everywhere. Also, we end up getting used to certain smells in our house but that doesn’t mean that the general public will enjoy those smells. Banish those smells with a neutral smelling air deodorizer. A clean home is easier to sell and will cut the time it sits on the market in half.

After these changes have been made, it is time to list the home. Working with a listing agent that you trust is key to making sure that your home sells quickly and efficiently. If you need to stage the home, make sure to keep it simple. Once again, the goal is to give the home a neutral tone to help the buyers envision their stuff inside the home. These simple yet effective tips will help you to sell your home quickly. If you are looking for an agent, make sure to contact us!

Puyallup

Getting Those New Year’s Resolutions Back on Track

Posted on January 16, 2017by Thera

We are almost half way through January and chances are, most of you have already given up on the New Year’s resolutions that were made on January 1^st. Getting back to the grind after the holidays can be stressful so it is understandable that some resolutions have dropped off in the shuffle of life. Studies have found that by mid-month, at least 71% of people have already given up on their resolutions and only 8% end up actually achieving the goals they began in the New Year. Sometimes getting back on track can be difficult but with the right tips, it doesn’t have to be. Getting healthy and happy is always a great way to start the year and it’s never too late to try again. Here are some helpful tips to get you jumpstarted again on your resolutions.

The first thing that usually goes wrong for most people is when they first decide on what their resolution will be. Most people chose a resolution that doesn’t actually address the underlying issue. A good example is most people decide to lose weight for their New Year’s resolution. Losing weight can be a great goal but sometimes losing weight becomes the sole focus. For most people, weight gain can be due to an underlying issue like food addiction or depression. In order to actually achieve that goal, the underlying issue must be addressed. Taking time to address that issue will help you to obtain success.

One of the main reasons why people fail at achieving their resolutions is not what most people actually think. People believe that they fail because they tried to set the bar too high and shoot for the stars. They believe that their resolutions are too hard. This is actually incorrect. The biggest reason why most people do not achieve their goals is the plain fact that they fail to plan ahead. Every goal needs a well thought out plan to help achieve success. People think that they can rely on their willpower alone to help them achieve their goals. Willpower should not be relied on alone. Willpower combined with a plan of action will ensure success. One would not build a house without a blueprint so why try to achieve your goals with a plan?

The first step is to then create a plan. Setting the goal itself is step one. The next step is trying to plan out when and the time of day that you can work on that goal. For example, if you have come up with the New Year’s resolution to learn a new language, then plan a specific day and time that fits in with your schedule. Use a daily planner to create that schedule. Use an alarm on your phone to set a reminder of that day and time. Schedule that learning activity for a time that won’t be stressful or put a strain on your already busy schedule. Plot out what you plan on learning each day. Sticking with the same example, schedule lesson plans every day. When you complete those lesson plans, you will achieve a sense of satisfaction. This feeling will help you motivate you to stick with your goal.

Motivation is key in achieving your goal. Getting motivated can be difficult and can throw you off your plan to complete your resolution. Staying motivated is actually easier than most people think it is. The trick is to change your mindset. People become to focused on the end goal instead of celebrating each small success along the way. Each time you complete a step in your journey, you should celebrate that success. Focusing on daily or weekly successes will help propel you towards your goal and to stay motivated along the way. Breaking your goal down into daily or weekly tasks (depending on the goal) will help make the goal more obtainable.

Lastly, sometimes people have a tendency to make a lot of resolutions. People feel like they need to go all out for the New Year. They feel like they need a lot of improvement and will end up making a variety of goals. At first, it seems like a good idea to make a lot of goals. Self-improvement is always good but making too many goals is can actually set you up for failure. Instead, try making one goal for the year. When you feel like you are on the way to completing that goal, make another goal. January 1^st doesn’t always have to be the only day of the year to make goals. Be easy on yourself, make goals that are achievable. When you start seeing success, it will motivate you to complete the goal and then maybe you can try to achieve another goal.

There is no better time than now to start the goals that you want to complete this year. Even if you feel like you have completely failed, it is never too late to change that mindset. Any day of the year is a perfect time to start a resolution. Don’t take yourself too seriously, try to have fun along the way. Enjoy the process of self-improvement. It is important to not beat yourself up if you feel like you are slipping. We would love to know your New Year’s resolutions so please tweet us and let us know!

Puyallup

The Tacoma Wedding Expo can Help you Start Planning your Wedding

Posted on January 6, 2017by Thera

The holidays have come and gone so it means that it is that time of year again. It’s time to start planning for your upcoming spring/summer wedding. It feels like there is a lot of time to plan, but in reality, it takes months to plan a major event like a wedding. Even a small, intimate affair can take a long time to plan. Being prepared is the best way to make sure that everything runs smoothly on your wedding day. The best way to kick off your planning is by attending the Tacoma Wedding Expo at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday, January 7^th and Sunday, January 8^th. Tickets are only $16 to get into the show. This expo is the best way to start getting organized and to meet with local vendors that can help guide you on your wedding journey.

The Tacoma Wedding Expo is one of the many expos hosted by the company Brides Club and this company has perfected the art of the wedding expo. They feature vendors that offer every and any service related to weddings. Planning a wedding can be very stressful and this expo can help you find everything from the perfect wedding venue to a gorgeous bridesmaid dress. The expo also has a gown sale to help brides find an amazing bridal gown. They also have vendors that can help with catering, colors, centerpieces, favors, alterations, bachelorette parties, beauty, boudoir photography, ceremony, dance lessons and much more. It is the one stop shop to help brides gather ideas and to be able to speak with wedding professionals to get advice to plan the perfect wedding.

Getting married is a wonderful event but planning a wedding can be difficult. The spring and summer wedding rush is the busiest time of the year when it comes to weddings so planning ahead to the best way to ensure that you will get the venue you want and get your wedding dress ordered in time. Prime venues can book out at least 6 months in advance and by attending the Tacoma Wedding Expo, you can get a jumpstart on having the wedding of your dreams. Florists also need time to make sure that they can get the flowers of your choice. Certain flowers are only in season during certain parts of the year. If you want a specific flower like peonies, those flowers are only available during the months of May and June. If you are getting married in August, then a florist will have to track down those flowers somewhere in the world. The bridal expo has professionals on hand that can help give you tips like these to ensure that you get everything you want for your wedding.

Tickets are still available for this weekend. The expo runs on Saturday from 9:30 am to 4 pm and on Sunday from 10:30 am to 4 pm. The regular ticket price is $16 and make sure to buy in advance on the Brides Club website. Their website also has a free downloadable wedding planner that you should look at before heading to the expo. This planner will help you get organized and know where you should start first when heading to the expo. The Tacoma Wedding expo has a lot of vendors so knowing where you want to begin will help make sure that you can make the most out of your time there. If you attend the show this weekend, we would love for you to tweet us and let us know your favorite part of the expo!

Puyallup

Puyallup Events (Jan 3-8)

Posted on January 3, 2017by Hannah

Welcome to January 2017! We hope you had a memorable Christmas and New Year holiday. With a new year in full swing, it is a time for resolutions, a fresh start, and new opportunities. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season ending, the Puyallup community has events to keep you busy and entertained.

Are you looking to update your home this year? Whether you are looking to sell your home or just want to improve the ambiance, remodeling can seem tedious and overwhelming. If you are curious how to get started, the Washington State Fair is hosting a remodeling fair this weekend. Check out the Puyallup Home and Remodeling show this Friday and Saturday 10am-7pm, and Sunday from 10am-5pm.

If you are looking for a new place to workout and fitness is one of you New Year goals, you should check out Vie Athletics in downtown Puyallup. A gym focused on women and run by women; this has become a popular place to break a sweat. Check out their website to see what workouts look like and how to get involved.

The Puyallup Public Library is hosting events this week for younger ages. Check out their calendar to see if any events interest you! This week events are best suited for those eight years old and younger.

Many after Christmas sales are taking place right now. Want to spend your gift cards or holiday cash? Check out the discounts at the South Hill Mall, Watson’s Greenhouse, and Sunrise Village. You’re sure to find some great deals!

If you are feeling like painting and drinking wine during the weeknights, Pinot’s Palette is hosting a few different events this week. Sip some yummy wine and create a piece of art– sounds like a fun and relaxing evening to me!

The Wedding Expo is at the Tacoma Dome this weekend. If you or someone you know got engaged over the romantic holiday season, this is a perfect event to check out different vendors and get inspired for your big day! There will also be a gown sale; you might be saying yes to the dress. This event is taking place Saturday: 9:30 am to 4 pm and Sunday: 10:30 am to 4 pm.

With the cold weather, ice, and bits of snow you might want to check out some indoor fun this week. For family or friend fun, why not go rollerblading at Tiffany’s Skating Rink, or test your bowling skills at the Daffodil Bowl. These are two great ways to get active while staying warm! If you are looking for something more low-key, the movies are always a great option! Have you seen the new Star Wars yet?

It’s going to be a chilly week! Bundle up and stay warm out there. With Puyallup students and staff back in school, we hope you have a terrific New Year! That’s all for events in Puyallup this week, check in next week to see what’s on. Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on community happenings.

Entertainment

Ways to Spend your New Years 2016 in Puyallup

Posted on December 29, 2016by Thera

2016 has been quite the year. Now that we have finished the Christmas season, it is time to start making plans to help ring in the New Year. It is time to start planning our resolutions for the New Year and setting the stage for 2017. There are many ways to celebrate the end of 2016. Whether it be at home with your family or out on the town celebrating in style, New Years is a great time to let go of the old and let in the new. Here are a few tips to help you have a great time on New Years in Puyallup.

New Years celebrations do not always need to involve going out and partying. For people with children, getting someone to babysit on one of the busiest nights of the year is almost impossible. Instead, focus on family oriented activities that include both the children and the adults. This will bring the family closer together and start off the New Year with great memories for the kids. Start the day off with talking with your children about resolutions. It is never too early to start teaching your kids about making goals and learning how to accomplish them during the year. Talk with them about the purpose of making a resolution. The resolution can be easy as your children spending less time on their electronics and more time reading or maybe outside. Also, create resolutions for yourself and follow through on them. It will teach your children how to complete their goals.

Crafting with your kids is always a great way to spend the evening. Make a Count Down Activity Bag with your kids. Buy small paper bags from any craft store and print out clock faces. Glue the clock faces on the bags and mark clock hands on every hour. Have your kids pick an activity that they want to do that night and write it on a slip of paper. For example, an activity can include making ice cream sundaes or watching a movie. Put it in a bag and seal the bag. Open that bag when the clock strikes a specific hour and reveal the activity planned for that hour. This is a fun and engaging way to spend the night with your whole family. Also, a fun family activity is making your own DIY party hats with your children. Buy some colorful card stock, glue, string, some decorative glitter, some colorful pom-poms and any other craft items to help decorate the party hats. Draw a half circle with the construction paper and cut it out. Bring the two ends of the half circle together to form a cone. Staple the two ends together and that will be your hat. Poke two holes at the base and attach the strings. Glue a pom-pom to the top and let the children decorate the hats anyway they want. Once the glue has dried, let the kids put them on and party away!

For adult fun on New Years, there better way to celebrate than heading out to the city of Puyallup. For a romantic night out, look no further than one of Puyallup’s most popular restaurants, Toscanos. The restaurant and the Hampton Inn and Suites have come together to create the perfect romantic evening out together. Couples can spend a romantic evening dining at Toscanos and then spend the evening dancing the night away at a party at the hotel. The total for the hotel and the dinner is only $159.00 for a night of excitement and romance. The party Includes Appetizer, Party Favors, Dancing & Midnight Sparkling Toast. Hotel accommodations include free parking, use of pool & hot tub, complimentary breakfast and late checkout.

Finish off the weekend by doing something daring. The city of Tacoma hosts the Polar Bear Plunge in Point Defiance. This fun and chilly event is for all people of all ages. The Cub Plunge is for youth under 10 and starts at 11:30am and the adult/family plunge is at noon. The cost is free and will take place regardless of weather. The plunge will take place at Point Defiance boat launch, 5912 N. Waterfront Drive in Point Defiance Park and lifeguards will be on duty for safety purposes. There will also be heating tents and hot drinks to help warm up participants after the plunge.

New Years is a wonderful time of year. It is the time to create goals and see them through. It is time to make plans for the year and to make resolutions for improving yourself. Time with family, friends and loved ones is important during this time. We hope that you have a safe and happy New Year. We would love to hear how you will be spending the New Year, so please tweet us and let us know!

Puyallup

Updated Tips for Decorating During the Holidays in Puyallup

Posted on December 8, 2016by Thera

After enjoying the delicious food and family time during Thanksgiving, we are now moving into the Christmas season and it is time to shop for gifts and to get out those holiday decorations. Decorating for the holidays is one of the best ways to kick off the Christmas season. With the forecast predicting snow in the Northwest this week and next, get out there as soon as possible to get your decorations up. The neighborhoods in Puyallup usually get into the spirit of the holidays and go all out when it comes to their Christmas decorations. It is the time to get inspired and try out these updated decorating tips around your home to put a fresh spin on your holiday adornments.

The tried and true wreath is one of the best ways to greet your guests as they enter your home for festive holiday parties. Most people opt for the tradition evergreen wreath with sprigs of holly, mistletoe or cranberries. Instead, create a wreath out of citrus fruits and leaves for an updated twist on the wreath. It is easy to create your own citrus wreath using florist’s foam, wooden florist’s picks, assorted citrus fruits and some green leaves. Use the wooden picks to secure fruits like oranges, clementines, and limes to the foam. Another interesting take on a Christmas wreath is the Cookie Cutter Wreath. For this wreath, you will need a variety of metal cookie cutters, some red ribbon, some holiday themed scrapbook paper, and a hot glue gun. Use the cookie cutters to trace out the shape of the cookie cutter on the scrapbook paper and then glue it on the back of the cookie cutter. Arrange the cookie cutters in the shape of a wreath and then glue them together in the shape of a circle. Once the glue has dried, tie a ribbon to the top to be able to hang the wreath. A quirky wreath is a great way to break free of the traditional wreath. The festive Felt Ball Wreath is a unique DIY wreath that is a colorful and festive way to show your holiday spirit. This wreath is a little more time consuming than the other wreaths and requires some craft know how on your end. Learn how to make felt balls here. You will need a variety of colors of felting wool, florist foam wreath and a hot glue gun. Once you have made all your felt wool balls, glue them around the wreath in a tightly packed fashion. Add a velvet ribbon to the top in order to be able to hang the wreath.

Christmas trees are the most tradition symbol of the season. A Christmas tree doesn’t always have to be the live version. There are creative ways to create your very own Christmas tree using unusual materials. You can make a delightful decorative tree out of a wood pallet. You can find them for cheap on Ebay. Using a smaller shipping wood pallet, paint a tree on the slats using green paint and embellish the tree with pom-poms. The Mason Jar Christmas Tree is also an easy and quick decoration for your home. Buy some blue mason jars, some smaller ball Christmas ornaments and a star as a tree topper. Put the ornaments into the mason jars and then stack them in a triangle shape. Add the start to the top and viola you have your mason jar Christmas tree!

Advent Calendars are another traditional Christmas decoration that is a favorite amongst both adults and children. Making your own is a great way to add your own personal touch to the calendar. Find a large frame and fit a piece of neutral colored fabric in the frame. Get number stamps and stamp the number of days in December on small brown envelopes. Attach those envelopes to the frame and put a small toy, a piece of candy or any small surprise that can fit into the envelopes. Using a smaller version of the advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas is just as impactful as a large one. Using ordinary matchboxes, use number stamps to mark the days on the front of the boxes vertically. Wrap each box in some festive, holiday themed paper with the numbers showing. Glue the boxes in the shape of a pyramid starting with nine boxes at the base and decrease by two boxes until there is one box at the top. Put small little surprises into each box, like candy or toys. Advent Calendars do not always have to be about materialistic items. Create your own Advent Calendar that includes random acts of kindness. You can write to-do items like “donate to a charity”, “donate used clothing” or “Serve at a local soup kitchen”. You can come up with 24 acts of kindness to teach your children the importance of giving during the holidays. Slip those pieces of paper into the days of the calendar and your children will have to complete that act of kindness.

Decorating your home for the holidays is the best way to get into the holiday spirit. These ideas are some fresh updates on the some of the more traditional ways to decorate for Christmas. Make sure to stock up on all your craft supplies so you can keep busy for when the snow falls this week. These ideas are also fun activities to do with your children. Decorating with your family is always a fun to celebrate the holidays. We would love to know what your unique and quirky decorating ideas are for this holiday season. Tweet us for City of Puyallup updates and let us know your original ideas!

Puyallup

Puyallup Events (Dec 5-11)

Posted on December 6, 2016by Hannah

Puyallup is buzzing with events this week. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, don’t forget to make time to participate in traditions that make this time of year so memorable. From Santa pictures to wrapping gifts to giving back to those less fortunate, this time of year brings families and the community together. Were you able to make the Christmas parade downtown last Saturday? We hope you enjoyed it! Did you get into the Christmas spirit at the Victorian Country Christmas at the fair? If not, there are still plenty of opportunities in the community to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Washington State Fair Events

The North Pole at the Fair is on this week at the Washington State Fair. Take a sneak peak into how Santa lives and prepares for Christmas. To learn about different activities to check out, click here. The North Pole runs through the end of December. You won’t want to miss it!

South Hill Mall Events

November 12th-December 24th

Santa is back from the North Pole to see you and the family! Dress up in your holiday pajamas, Christmas sweaters, dresses, or suits. Come to the South Hill Mall to get your picture taken with Santa! Santa pictures are fun to look back on and a great way to ask Santa what you want for Christmas. Have you been naughty or nice? Check out the hours and dates below.

11/12/16-12/8/16

Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm

Sunday 11am-6pm

12/9/16-12/23/16

Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm

Sunday 11am-6pm

12/24/16 (Christmas Eve)

8am-5pm

Giving Back

Looking for a way to give back this holiday season? With long lists for Santa and Black Friday deals, it’s also a time to think about those who are less fortunate in our community. Check out ways you can give back! Even the spare change in your pocket can be donated to the Salvation Army; every small action adds up to make a difference.

Salvation Army Giving Tree

11/25-12/18, Operating Hours, Target Court

Salvation Army Bell Ringers

Ulta and Old Country Buffet entrances

Puyallup Food Bank Candy Buffet

12/3, 12/10-12/11, 12/17-12/24, Starts at 12 pm, Center Court

Gift Makers Toy Donation Box

Operating Hours, JCP Court

Gift Wrapping

11/25-12/24, Operating Hours, Center Court

Gift Wrapping

The holidays can be stressful and busy. Why not unload one of your duties and let someone else wrap some of your gifts. Several local non-profits on site to help you take care of that task for the cost of a donation! You can find gift-wrapping during mall hours in Center Court every day, starting on November 25th running through December 24th.

Freeze Modeling

Saturday, December 10th, 2016

Check out the 2016 Freeze Modeling Show with the South Hill Mall Fashion Club and NFI Productions!

Watson’s Greenhouse

Do you want to see Santa’s reindeer? Donder and Blitzen are here for their annual stay at Watson’s. Donder and Blitzen can be viewed during regular business hours free of charge!

Watson’s is also hosting a Girls Night Out on December 13th. This is sure to be a fun-filled night to relax, drink some wine, nibble on some appetizers, and enjoy a night out with the girls.

A Simple Wish

If your little ones are Disney fans, then they will love the events that A Simple Wish host. They are putting two events including a holiday photo mini session with a Princess and Belle’s Holiday party. For pricing and dates, click here.

The weather forecast is pretty chilly this week, so we hope you bundle up and stay warm! There is even a chance of snow on Thursday. That’s all for events in Puyallup this week. Tweet us to share a moment from an event, we would love to hear from you! Check in with us next week to see what is happening in the community. Have a great week!

Downtown

Holiday Shopping in Puyallup

Posted on December 2, 2016by Thera

The holidays are upon us and Black Friday kicked off one of the most successful shopping seasons since the economic downturn. Most people rushed to the major chain retailers for deals and sales. These retailers spend millions of dollars to get your attention and your hard earned money. Local businesses have a hard time competing with the advertising dollars of these large companies but they still deserve your money. There are many reasons for shopping locally. According to the Andersonville Study of Retail Economics, local businesses generate 70 percent more local economic activity per square foot than the big retailers. It has been determined that if you spend $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays in your local economy. If you spend the same are a large business, only $43 stays in the local economy.

Now that Black Friday has come and gone, it’s time to focus on shopping locally within your community. Supporting local businesses is the best way to help support your economy, your neighbors and your local community. We have compiled a gift guide based on local businesses in the Puyallup area to help you when it comes to shopping for your friends and family. Here are some of our favorite picks for both gifts and stores in the area!

Puyallup is a preferred destination for antique lovers. The Antique District in the historical downtown area boasts seven antique shops with hundreds and hundreds of dealers. For all those antique lovers in your life, there is no better place to find that unique vintage collectible than the Antique District. The aptly named 3^rd Street Antiques on 3^rd Street in the city has 15,000 square feet with 80 vendors. Victoria Sells Antiques has 10,000 square feet with a total of 80 vendors. Pioneer Antiques & Accrete Lighting on South Meridian not only sells a variety of antiques but Accrete Lighting has been offering quality replacement lamp and fixture hardware and parts to the antique community since 1986. Just a Memory, Kings Row Antiques and Collectibles, Her Shabby Chateau, and Junk and Disorderly Antiques and Gifts are more antique stores that carry a wide variety of collectibles, treasures, and antiques.

Friends and family members hunting for a gift for loved ones with a green thumb are lucky to have such an amazing nursery and gift shop like Watson’s. Not only does Watson’s carries a wide variety of trees, shrubs, Watson’s grown annuals, seasonal annuals, perennials, houseplants, veggies, herbs, seeds, and roses but they also have a wide selection of gifts and home décor. There are also practical gifts for the gardener in your life like tools, gloves, sloggers, soil, compost, fertilizers, pots and containers. Watson’s is an amazing place to find a gift for all those gardeners and if you are truly stumped, a Watson’s gift card is sure to be appreciated.

The holidays are the time to give not only gifts but to help those in need. The Nook is a charity boutique, operated by St. Francis House. So when out looking for a gift, the St. Francis House is a great place to find something and to donate to your community at the same time. St Francis House receives many “high-end” items beautiful, one-of-a-kind item like unique home décor, lovely jewelry, amazing china, silverware, vintage items, gently used and new clothing, books, artwork, furniture and more. The Nook is the best place to go on a treasure hunt for the perfect gift for a loved one for the holidays. Proceeds from The Nook go directly back to supporting the programs of St. Francis House. Come support the needy in your community by shopping for your holiday gifts at the Nook!

Jewelry is one of the best gifts to receive for the holidays. Johnson Jewelers in Puyallup has kept its doors open for over 100 years and has a reputation for being one of the best jewelers on the west coast. The jewelry store is located at 103 South Meridian and has been operated by the Johnson family for four generations. This long-time family business has been delighting the hearts of fine jewelry lovers in the city for generations. In addition to watches and bridal jewelry, the shop owners also have their own line of custom creations that are exceptional and very high quality.

Foodies in the area love My Cheese Shoppe in the downtown district. The store which opened last June carries so much more than specialty, imported, domestic & artisan cheeses, they also have a wide variety of delicious artisanal treats including natural salami, raw honey, Spanish date & walnut bread, handmade artisan local caramels, handmade local artisan toffees, organic dark chocolates, fig spreads, peppadews, and more. They have more than 75 types of cheese in stock, which happens to be one of the largest selections of cheeses in the Pacific Northwest. Their main focus is on selling what they consider “clean cheeses” and those are cheeses that have not been processed. They only offer cheese that does not have artificial dyes, and the smoked cheeses smoked with wood chips or walnut shells, not liquid smoke. They are committed to educating their customers about good cheese and have generous tastings for customers that are looking to expand their taste buds. Pick up some delicious tasty treats for those picky foodies in your life.

Pet Lovers and their pets can be difficult to shop for but have no fear, The Dog Daze Natural Pet Market is dedicated to providing natural pet supplies like foods, treats, and supplements for dogs, cats, and small animals. Come by and pick up some amazing natural products for all those animals in either your life or a loved one’s life. Your dog or cat also deserve presents for the holidays. The Dog Daze Natural Pet Market firmly believe that natural products along with providing exercise and positive affirmations will help your pets live longer, happier and much healthier lives. Give the gift of a love and life to your pet or to some who considers their pet a part of the family.

Wine Décor and More is located on North Meridian in Puyallup is the best place in the city to find exclusive hard-to-find wines that make for the best gift for the wine lover in your life. They currently focus on curating exclusive small production, hand crafted, and family-owned wineries from Washington and Oregon and they stock over 60 different wines from over 20 wineries. They have amazing wine gift baskets that include both bottles of win and food items. Baskets include crinkle filler, shrink wrapped, a beautiful bow, a small card, wine and food items. Wine chosen for baskets must be purchased from Wine, Décor, and More. Currently they have wines from the following wineries: Airfield Estates, Angel Vine, Benson Vineyards, Christopher Michael, Covington Cellars, Ginkgo Forest Cellars, Guardian Cellars, J Scott, Kerloo Cellars, Kontos Cellars, Lone Birch, Lupine Vineyards, Naches Heights Vineyard, Nathan Gray, Paul Rin, Robert Ramsay, Smasne Cellars, Sonoris, Spindrift Cellars, Trust Cellars, William Church and Woodinville Wine Cellars. Wine, Décor and More carries some amazing gift options for those looking for the gift of wine and more.

Gift shopping for the holidays can be hard but make sure that you use this guide to find gifts locally for your loved ones. Shopping locally is a great way to support your community and your local economy. Help spread the joy by visiting these stores in Puyallup. Tweet us and let us know your favorite places to buy gifts in the area!

Puyallup

Thanksgiving Activities and Crafts for the Whole Family

Posted on November 23, 2016by Thera

Thanksgiving is a special time of year when the whole family gets together to enjoy some delicious food and some quality time with each other. When the whole family gets together, it is important to keep the kids entertained during the festivities. Activities and crafts for kids on Thanksgiving is a great way for family members to bond with the kids and for the kids to enjoy Thanksgiving Day. There are certain crafts that the kids can do that will allow them to participate in decorating, cooking the food and to help them understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving. There are also certain activities that remind children what they have to be thankful for during this holiday season. Getting your children involved will make for a memorable Thanksgiving for the whole family and help to make long lasting memories.

Most families create a kid’s table and an adult’s table for the Thanksgiving dinner. Keep the kids entertained before dinner by placing some butcher paper on the table and create some pilgrim hats crayon cups to set out. The Pilgrim Hat Crayon Cups are easy to make and the kids will enjoy pulling Crayons from this cute decorative addition to the kid’s table décor. For the cups you will need black paper cups, black cardstock, rick rack, scrapbook paper, buttons, hot glue gun, and an X-acto knife. Use the knife to carve out the bottom of the cup and then glue the rick rack around the rim of the cup. Glue a small square of scrapbook paper on top of the rick rack and then glue the button on the piece of scrapbook paper. Glue a circular piece of scrapbook paper on the rim of the cup. Once everything has dried, put the crayons into the cup. Place on the table and watch the children enjoy being able to be creative during the Thanksgiving dinner. Ask the kids to draw things that they are thankful for this holiday.

The Thanksgiving turkey is the best part of the whole meal so why not let the kids pay homage to the main course? Play Dough turkeys is a great way for the kids to express their creative spirit by creating their own version of a turkey. Create some small balls of brown Play Dough for the turkey heads and larger balls of brown Play Dough for the body of the turkey. Buy some colorful long and short feathers, googly eyes, chenille stems, smaller orange triangles, and some small twigs. Lay the materials out so the kids can pick and choose what they want to use to create the turkey. Let the kids have free reign to create their own version of the Thanksgiving turkey. The kids can then use their turkeys as place cards for their seat at the table.

Gratitude is an integral part of this holiday. It is important to remind the children what they should be thankful for during Thanksgiving. We wrote about the Thankful tree last week, this can also be turned into a children’s activity. Create a large brown tree trunk out of brown butcher paper with a lot of branches and tape it to the wall. Cut out different shapes of leaves from orange, yellow, red and green cardstock. Hand out the leaves to the children. They can use markers to write all the different things they are thankful for in their life and draw pictures on the leaves. Speak with them about why it is important to give thanks during this time of year. Help the children to tape the leaves to the different branches. Parents can also join in this activity by adding their own leaves with their items they are grateful for this year. If your children see you being grateful then it will teach them the importance of acknowledging and appreciating all that they have. This is an activity that kids of all ages will love.

Need help in the kitchen? Kids can help with this fun Thanksgiving appetizer that also doubles as a decoration. The Cheese Tray Turkey is a delightful way to arrange a cheese tray for a delicious appetizer. Buy your favorite cheese crackers, different types of cheese, and different types of salami. The best pairing for the salami is usually Colby jack or a medium cheddar cheese. Let your child help you arrange the turkey. Start with a large semi-circle of crackers on a cheese board. Then layer a smaller semi-circle of cheese and then follow with another semi-circle of salami. Add another semi-circle of cheese and then another of salami. Finish off the turkey by making a turkey body out of a slice of cheese for both the body and the head. Add two peppercorns for the eyes and a folded piece of salami for the waddle. Not only is a cheese tray delicious but it also will be a fun activity for your children to help keep them busy during the day.

Letting the kids help to decorate the table with their own crafts is a fun way to get your kids involved in Thanksgiving Day festivities. Turkey Napkins Rings are an adorable addition to any table décor. Head to the craft store and pick up some brown felt, ribbons that are different colors and sizes, red rick rack, googly eyes, and a hot glue gun. Cut your napkin rings pieces from the brown felt. One piece will be about 5 inches by 2 inches and another piece is 1 inch by 2 inches. Draw a line of glue along the short ends of the shorter piece and wrap that around the bigger piece. Then draw a line of glue along the short ends of the long piece and attach the ends together to form a ring. The smaller piece on the outside will be used for the turkey. Cut out the turkey body from the felt. Cut out one piece that is a larger circle and a smaller circle together. The smaller circle is the head and the larger circle will be the body. Cut different lengths of the ribbon and fold them in half. Glue the ends together to create the feathers. Glue those feathers to the back of the body of the turkey. Glue a few layers of ribbons to the back of turkey. Glue the googly eyes to the head of the turkey and glue a small piece of the rick rack for the turkey waddle. Once the turkey is complete, glue it to felt ring. Viola your napkin ring is done! Let the kids help to decorate the table with their new napkin rings.

These activities are a great way to spend Thanksgiving Day with your children. Now more than ever, we should give thanks for our family and friends. Take the time to give thanks for those around you and those who support you. It can be easy to get caught up in the stress of the holiday so try to set aside some time to truly enjoy the day with loved ones. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and if you are traveling make sure to check our Twitter for travel updates!

Puyallup

Easy Fall Decorating Tips for Your Thanksgiving Holiday

Posted on November 17, 2016by Thera

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and as we are getting our fridges ready for the all the food that we have to prepare for the day, we must also get our homes ready to host all the family and friends for that special day. As the people of Puyallup are shopping for their turkeys, cranberries and potatoes, they should remember that the presentation is just as important as the food that graces the table. There are so many amazingly simple ways to decorate your home with fun, festive and beautiful fall items that will create the perfect ambiance for your guests. Decorating for Thanksgiving does not have to be overly complicated. Rolling up your sleeves for a little DIY can not only save you money but can also be a fun family activity to do with your children. Here are some stress-free DIY projects and a few easy decorating tips for home during this joyful and warm holiday.

Incorporating the red, golds, and yellows of fall leaves into your Thanksgiving décor is not only inexpensive but is the perfect way to capture the essence of the fall season. This DIY décor project requires about 50 fall leaves, a small stick, a large piece of wood in a square shape, some hot glue, and some Mod Podge. Before starting the project, make sure to dry the leaves out for at least a few days using wax paper. They will stick better to the board when dry. Using a black sharpie, draw the outline of a large leaf on the board. This outline will provide a guide for where to place the leaves. Using a little bit of hot glue, glue each leaf to the board. Once you have completed the giant leaf, glue the stick to the bottom. For some extra pizzazz, use the Mod Podge on the leaves and sprinkle different colors of glitter on the leaves. Use glitter colors like gold, red and orange to really make the giant leaf really eye-catching.

Pumpkins are n’t just for Halloween, there are many creative ways to decorate with pumpkins for Thanksgiving. However, instead of using regular orange pumpkins, opt for the white pumpkins for a modern version of a classic. Using Mod Podge, decoupage a white pumpkin with pressed leaves. Turn this project into a fun family activity by getting out for a fall hike on any one of the wonderful Puyallup trails to gather leaves. Get creative with the types of leaves that you use, grab different shapes and colors of leaves. Another easy way to decorate a white pumpkin is with vinyl decals. Wilson Graphics sells some inexpensive vinyl decals that are perfect for the pumpkins. Using the Woodland Creatures decals like the Fawn with Flowers or the Owl with Flowers are perfect for decorating a fal l pumpkin. Use a foam brush to cover each pumpkin with two coats of acrylic paint. Let the pumpkins dry for at least 30 minutes before applying the decals. You can also create a more elegant pumpkin by using black lace. Purchase different patterns of lace from any fabric store. Pick a contrasting color like a sage green or silver to paint the pumpkin. Cut the lace in a way that follows the existing pattern. Once the paint on the pumpkin dries, brush Mod Podge on the pumpkin and adhere the lace pieces to the pumpkin. Finish off the project with coating the lace with another layer of Mod Podge.

Thanksgiving is a lovely time of year where we gather with our family and friends and give thanks to all the wonderful things in our life. A reminder of those things can be incorporated into a creative holiday decoration. A Thankful Tree is a Thanksgiving decoration that gives your guests reasons why they should be thankful all year long. Assembly for the tree requires sticks with multiple branches, wooden chalkboard tags, chalk, scissors, a glass jar, assorted nuts or decorative rocks, and burlap and a ribbon. On each of the wooden chalkboard tags, write the specific thing that you are thankful for like family, friends, health and food. Use a hot glue on the strip of burlap to glue the ribbon to it. Once that dries, glue it to the glass jar. Fill the jar with the assorted nuts or decorative rocks. Arrange the sticks in the glass jar so they are spaced evenly apart. The nuts or rocks should keep the sticks upright and in place. Hang the wooden tags from individual branches. Your guests will appreciate the reminders of what to be thankful in their lives.

Wreaths just aren’t for Christmas. There are many ways to use decorative wreaths to add a special touch to your home during this holiday. There are a few budget friendly ways to create the perfect wreath that will a nice addition to your Thanksgiving décor. A wreath of silk fall-hued flowers on your door is a great way to invite guests into your home. Starting with a foam wreath and a black ribbon, tie the ribbon around the wreath so you will be able to hang it up. Cut the heads of the silk flowers and glue them to the wreath. Choose fall-hued flowers like deep reds, magentas and oranges. Make sure to push the stem of the flower into the foam as well. Tightly pack the flowers together on the foam so there is no foam that shows through. Once the glue has dried you can hang the wreath on your door.

Decorating for Thanksgiving is the best way to kick off the holiday season. Turn decorating into a family activity and focus on DIY projects that your children can help with and participate in. Creating crafts is the perfect family activity and Thanksgiving is the time to bond with family. Give thanks this year for all your family and close friends. We would love to hear what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Make sure to tweet us and let us know!

Puyallup

Volunteering and Donating in the City of Puyallup

Posted on November 3, 2016by Thera

It is the beginning of November and the city of Puyallup is starting to gear up for Thanksgiving and for the beginning of the holiday season. As we start shopping for our turkey’s and fixings for the delicious Thanksgiving dinner and getting ready to spend time with our families, it is important to remember to take the time to reflect and be thankful for your family, friends and surroundings. It is also an important time to remember that some people are not as fortunate. Tis the season for giving but remember giving can extend beyond your family and friends and can include strangers as well. There are any options in Puyallup for those looking to donate money, necessities or time. This is the time to get out there and help those in your community who are in need.

There are many reasons to either give to charity or to donate your time to those who are struggling. There are positive consequences to giving that can affect your family, friends and the community of Puyallup at large. It can even have a positive effect on your own mental well-being. In research conducted by the journal BMC Public Health, it was proven that volunteering improves your sense of inner peace, decreases depression, and has been linked to a lower risk of dying early in life. Generosity has been noted as a key factor in a happy and successful marriage. People that are giving in nature, have a tendency to carry that mentality over to their relationship. Giving also helps keep your stress at bay. People who are stingy with their money have been shown to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Kindness not only provides positive results for you and your inner circle but also helps to create a positive change in the community. Giving is contagious and creates a ripple effect in your community. Being generous helps to create strong social connections and encourages those around you to also give back. The more people that give back to their community, the more the community benefits and flourishes. There are so many positive consequences to giving and it is a great way to help build a better community.

The city of Puyallup has many opportunities for those looking to donate or volunteer their time. Here are a few organizations in the city that are in need of your time or money especially during the holidays.

The Puyallup Public library is always looking for volunteers to work at the library. The Friends of the Library is a separate 501(c)3 that helps to raise funds for the library. The funds they raise help to sponsor special events for children and teens in the Library, including the Summer Reading Program. The Friends of the Library also hosts educational and cultural programs for all ages throughout the year.

Metro Animal Services is always in need of volunteers and donations. Donations help make sure that the animals in the shelter are getting food and shelter. Volunteers to the shelter provide assistance to the officers in many daily duties such as escorting customers back to view the animals, helping potential adopters meet with an animal, answer phone inquiries & research information as needed, take dogs out for their breaks, feed and water the animals, scoop cat litter boxes, socialize with the animals and help with general housekeeping.

The St. Francis House in Puyallup helps those in need in the community with clothing, furniture, food, and emergency food and assistance. You can donate money, clothing, household items, and food. Volunteering also helps the St. Francis House to provide all these services to the community and is a 4-6 hour commitment once or twice a week. Volunteering opportunities include helping out with the clothing bank, working the office, assisting with the evening meal program, and helping to fundraise.

The Puyallup Food Bank has been helping to feed the community since 1972. Many people go hungry over the holidays and the food bank is sometimes the only way that families in need get food for Thanksgiving. The food bank accepts monetary donations along with gift cards to Albertsons, Fred Meyers, Top Foods, Costco and Safeway. When donating food they accept non-perishable unopened packages of food, food in undented metal cans, dried food, and pet food.

No donation is too small and it might be cliché but every little bit does help. If you are unable to donate money, then volunteering your time is equally as important and helpful towards these causes and organizations. Donating and volunteering helps to create a better community for both you and others. Make volunteering a family affair in order to teach your child the importance of giving back to their city. Thanksgiving kicks off one of the most wonderful time of the year and volunteering and donating is a great way to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. Tweet us and let us know your favorite charity or cause in Puyallup!

Entertainment, Puyallup

The History of Halloween

Posted on October 27, 2016by Thera

Halloween is a much loved holiday in America. People around the country love getting dressed up in a costume and going out for a fun evening filled with treats and scares. There are so many fun aspects to this simultaneously entertaining and frighteningly holiday. A majority of people love to be scared silly on October 31^st but most aren’t even aware of the history behind the holiday. As you are out and about, dressed up as your favorite character and celebrating this scary time of year, remember that this holiday has a very long history. Halloween is a celebration of the living and the dead and is filled with plenty of superstitions and a lot of historical traditions.

The ancient origins of Halloween date as far back as 2,000 years ago to the Celts. The Celts lived in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France. They celebrated their new year on November 1^st instead of January 1^st like we do today. November 1^st was a very important day to the Celts. This day signified the end of summer and the harvest and marked the beginning of the long, dark and cold winter. This time of year was also associated with the death of humans due to the harsh weather conditions. The time between October 31^st and November 1^st opened up the boundary between the dead and living for the Celts. They celebrated Samhain on October 31^st which they believed was the night that the dead returned to walk amongst the living. The Celts believed that these spirits wreaked havoc on their crops and also allowed for the Druids to make predictions about the future. The Celts lived in an unsure and harsh enviroment and these prophecies were very important to their overall sense of comfort and gave them some control in an unpredictable world.

The Druids would build huge bonfires that they considered sacred and the people would gather around the bonfire and burn crops and animal sacrifices to Celtic gods. The Celts would wear costumes made up of animal heads and skins. They would celebrate by telling each other’s fortunes and then they would re-light their hearth fires with the fire from the sacred bonfire. The lighting of the hearth from with the fire from the sacred bonfire was believed to help protect the people from the long harsh winters. This celebration was looked forward to all year long as a way to help the Celts face the upcoming challenges of the winter months.

By 43 A.D. The Celts were mostly conquered by the Romans and for four hundred years the Romans ruled over the Celts and they incorporated the festival of Samhain into their own two festivals of Feralia and Pomona. Feralia was celebrated in late October for a day and this festival commemorated the passing of the dead. Pomona was a festival that celebrated the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Her symbol is that of an apple and it is believed that when the Romans incorporated the festival of Pomona with Samhain the tradition of bobbing for apples was born.

By the 9^th century Christianity spread quickly and deeply in the Celtic lands and the rites and traditions of the religion blended with the older Celtic rites and superstitions. In 1000 A.D. the church decided to make November 2^nd All Soul’s Day which like Samhain was a day to honor the dead. It was rumored that the church was looking to supplant all the Celtic Festivals with church sanctioned and approved holidays. The two holidays were very similar in nature. All Saint’s Day also featured large bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes. The All Saints Day celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas from the Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day. The traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion began to be called All-hallows Eve by the people and eventually it turned into Halloween.

Halloween in America was slow to pick up. There was limited celebrating of Halloween in Colonial New England due to the very rigid Protestant belief system. Celebrating Halloween was more common in the southern colonies as opposed to the Northern Colonies. Soon, as the beliefs of the different European ethnic groups merged with the beliefs and traditions of the Native Americans and a very distinct Americanized version of Halloween began to take shape. This form of Halloween featured aspects that are akin to how we celebrate Halloween today. “Play parties” emerged and were popular with the public. These “play parties” featured the telling of ghost stories and each other’s fortunes, dancing, signing, and to celebrate the harvest.

During the second half of the 19^th century, America saw a huge influx in the amount of immigrants coming to the United States. There was a large population of Irish people immigrating to the states and they brought with them their Halloween rituals, superstitions and traditions. Since the Celtic people lived in Ireland many of the traditions that the Irish brought with them to the United States were based on the original traditions of Sanhaim. This included dressing up in costumes, asking their neighbors for food and money, and pulling pranks in the evening on Halloween. Soon Americans started doing the same thing, which eventually morphed into the current tradition of “trick-or-treating.”

In the beginning, the tricks were more prominent than the treats. Halloween was a night filled with pranks and mayhem until there was a move to turn Halloween into a more family friendly affair. Halloween parties became a family event and they focused on food, games, and costumes. Parents were encouraged by the media and community leaders to remove anything frightening or grotesque out of Halloween celebrations and to create a more fun and light environment. Halloween then lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century as it began to morph into a more family oriented event. Cities began to organize community events and celebrations and once candy companies began releasing special Halloween candies, our modern version of “trick-or-treating” emerged.

Today Halloween is the country’s second largest commercial holiday because American’s spend about $6 million a year on Halloween. This fun night of costumes and candy is a favorite amongst Americans and people in Puyallup have a lot of fun options in the city when it comes to celebrating Halloween. Check out our blog for tips on the best haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and trick or treating events in Puyallup. Make sure to tweet us and let us know your favorite way to celebrate Halloween!

Entertainment, Puyallup

Costume Ideas for the Whole Family in Puyallup

Posted on October 20, 2016by Thera

It’s that wonderful time of year again! It’s time to start planning your Halloween costume. Time to get creative and come up with something unique and original to either scare, frighten or delight this Halloween. There is nothing better than themed costumes for the whole family. However, coming up with costumes for the entire family can be hard. Most families are busy and don’t have a lot of time or sometimes a lot of money to buy or create costumes. It can be difficult to create elaborate costumes for all the family members but never fear! Here is a list of the simplest group Halloween costumes that will be easy to put together and won’t cost an arm and a leg.

The Wizard of Oz is a classic movie that is loved by generations of people. One of the cutest ideas for a family themed Halloween costume is the “Lion, Tigers, and Bears Oh my!” concept. This costume idea is for a family of four. It is an easy and a super recognizable costume idea and there is nothing sweeter than dressing your young ones up as a lion and a tiger. Walmart carries both a lion and a tiger costume for infants. The parents can dress as the bear and the “Oh My!”. The “Oh My!” part of the costume can be as easy as making a shirt with the phrase “Oh My!” printed on the front. The bear part can also be easy by just wearing a hat with bear ears on it. The best part about this costume idea is seeing the children dressed up as cute little animals.

Another favorite costume idea that is a combo of cute and frightening is “Shark At tack”. This costume idea is perfect for a family of three or four and requires a child’s shark costume, some board shorts, a surf shirt, a lifeguard shirt, some fake blood and a large piece of cardboard. If you have two kids, you can dress them both up as sharks while one parent can be dressed as the shark attack “victim” and the other parent can be dressed as a lifeguard. The Shark Attack Victim costume consists of the board shorts, surf shirt, flip-flops and bandages soaked with fake blood. Wrap the bandages around your head and your arm. Add some fake blood to you face and hair to add an extra touch. The large piece of cardboard is used to create a fake surfboard. This adorable idea is easy and a fun way to celebrate Halloween.

Inside Out by Pixar was an adorable family movie that tugged at the heartstrings of both the young and the old. This favorite movie amongst families has highly recognizable characters that make for easy Halloween costumes. For anyone that has seen the movie knows that each character represents an emotion and that emotion is signified by a specific color. The most popular characters in the movie are Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear. Each member of the family can pick their favorite character. For the character of Joy, you will need a blue short haired wig and a green dress. Sadness is easy as well. All you need is a long gray sweater turtleneck, a blue wig, some circular glasses and jeans. Disgust requires a green wig and a green A-line dress with green tights. The character of Anger requires red hair dye, a white shirt, brown suit pants, and a red patterned tie. Fear is a little more complicated. You will need some purple face paint, white face paint, a red bow tie, a blue oxford shirt, blue slacks, a houndstooth vest, and cardboard black curly cue to attach to the top of your head. Use the purple face paint to make your face purple and use the white face paint around your eyes. Make sure to make the white circles around the eyes larger in order to match the character. This fun idea for a family Halloween costume will be sure to amuse friends and family!

One of the easiest, cheapest and tastiest family costume idea is the S’mores family. These cute costumes require very few items. To make the marshmallow part of the costume, you need two white throw pillows and some white strips of fabric. Sew the white strips of fabric on top of the pillows to create a clapboard. The Hersey’s bar part of the costume consists of a brown long shirt and some white fabric paint. Create your own Hershey’s stencil and use that to paint the word “Hersey” on a brown shirt. The graham cracker part of the costume is the easiest part of the whole getup. Cut out large squares of brown cardboard and use a black marker to mark dashes to create four squares. Use that same marker to mark small circles evenly in each section. One piece of the cardboard is for the front and another piece is for the back. You also create a clapboard with these two pieces by tapping some string between the two pieces. This simple yet effective costume idea is sure to impress others while out celebrating Halloween.

Another creative yet simple family costume idea draws its inspiration from nature. A rainbow and cloud is a fun and colorful way to dress up for Halloween. There are many ways to create a rainbow but the easiest and quickest way to create a family rainbow is by dressing each member of the family in one solid color. For example, one member of the family wears red shoes, red sweats, and a red sweatshirt. The next member of the family dons the same outfit but orange this time. Each member of the family wears the exact same outfit but with all the colors of the rainbow. For the cloud portion of the costume, buy solid color beanies that correspond with the color of the rainbow and white cotton balls. Using a hot glue gun, glue the cotton balls in layers on the top of the beanie to create the cloud. This costume idea takes very little effort and is perfect for a cold fall evening.

Dressing up as a family is a fun way to celebrate Halloween. It makes for an Instagram worthy photo op and is a great way to bond as a family. Dressing up together doesn’t have to be costly or time consuming. The ideas listed above are easy for anyone to put together and do not cost a lot of money. We would love to hear what the families in Puyallup are doing this year for Halloween. Tweet us your ideas or pictures for your favorite group costume!

Puyallup

Spooky, Delicious and Easy Halloween Treats

Posted on October 13, 2016by Thera

One of the best parts of Halloween are all the delicious goodies that get consumed during this month. Although there are a lot of appetizing Halloween treats for sale in the store, sometimes there is nothing better than a homemade delicacy. Most of us are too busy to bake or think that most recipes are just too complicated. For everyone looking for simple yet fun treats to make this Halloween, look no further. Below is a list of enjoyable yet easy recipes that will delight both young and old on this all Hallows’ Eve!

There is nothing more sinister than the apple thanks to the Evil Queen. Halloween wouldn’t be complete without the traditional candied apple. Instead of a boring, old caramel covered apple, why not spice it up with a twist. The “Poison” Apple is a black candied apple. Not only is it delicious but it also makes a great Halloween decoration. This recipe only requires 5 ingredients and is only 4 steps!

Wash and dry 12 apples and then place them on a baking sheet. Poke a hole in the middle of the apple with candy apple stick or use twigs painted black for a spooky twist. Line a second sheet with a buttered parchment paper.
Place a candy thermometer in a medium saucepan and add 1 ½ cup of sugar, ¾ cups of water and ½ cup light corn syrup. Place over medium heat and whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Let the temperature rise without stirring until it reaches the hard crack mark at 310 degrees Fahrenheit and the remove pan from heat.
Remove the thermometer and add the black food coloring. Swirl the food coloring in the pan until the color is completely black. Twirl the apple in the candy and then shake off the excess. Place the apple to dry on the buttered sheet and repeat!

Marshmallows just aren’t for the campfire, they can also be used to make a scrumptious Halloween treat. This is another recipe that only requires a few ingredients and is super easy to make. All you need is 12 giant marshmallows, a bag of 10-ounce candy melts and some assorted Halloween colored sprinkles.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Insert a lollipop stick into a giant marshmallow; find some Halloween themed lollipop sticks here.
Melt candy melts according to the directions on the package.
Once the candy has melted, spoon the candy melt over the sides of the marshmallows and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl. Dip marshmallows into the candy. Coat with festive sprinkles before the candy melt dries.
Place marshmallow on a baking sheet until dry. Repeat with every marshmallow.

What would fall be without a delicious pumpkin flavored treat? As the pumpkin spice lattes take over, making a pumpkin spice flavored Halloween dish is sure to be a hit at any party. It is a known fact that Rice Krispie treats are the easiest dessert on the planet to make and adding pumpkin makes it an easy delicious fall version of a classic. For this recipe, you need the classic Rice Krispie ingredients plus some canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice.

Grease a pan with butter.
Cook 4 tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter melts and becomes a golden brown, add ¼ cup of canned pumpkin and 10 ounces of marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows are melted.
Add ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice, ½ tsp of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Stir in 5 cups of Rice Krispie cereal.
Once everything has been stirred together, press the mixture evenly into the greased pan and let cool at room temperature.

Leftover Halloween candy is tasty by itself but when combined with other Halloween candy it becomes a delectable smorgasbord of deliciousness. Halloween Candy Bark is a super easy way to use all that leftover Halloween Candy. This easy recipe is also a fun activity to do with your kids. Your kids can get creative with decorating the candy bark. All you need is 3 cups of bittersweet chocolate chips and 2 cups of chopped up Halloween candy. To add an extra creative touch to the candy, add sugar candy eyeballs. You can purchase them here. This recipe takes 5 minutes to prep and 5 minutes to cook.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler in the microwave and stir until smooth.
Carefully pour the melted chocolate on the parchment paper and spread it evenly using a spatula.
Sprinkle the chopped up candy on top and carefully place the candy eyeballs throughout the chocolate.
Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and let cool for 45 minutes.
Remove the bark from the refrigerator and place it on a cutting board. Cut bark into smaller pieces.

Halloween sweets are great but now it’s time for a little adult fun with the Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Milkshake. Not only is it delicious but it’s a great way for those over the age of 21 to celebrate Halloween. The Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Milkshake is the perfect way to get into the mood for the Halloween. This recipe requires a few more ingredients. You will need 2 cups of Vanilla ice cream, ½ cups of milk, ¼ cup cream, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, 2/3 cup of pureed pumpkin, ½ tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice, 1/3 cup of crushed graham crackers, a pinch of cinnamon, 2-3 ounces of bourbon, Halloween colored sprinkles and frosting for the rim of a Mason jar and whipped cream to top it all off.

Add all the ingredients except the frosting and the sprinkles into a blender and blend until everything is mixed together.
Rim mason jars lightly with frosting and dip the rims into the sprinkles.
Pour the milkshake into the mason jar and sprinkle cinnamon on top.
Top with a dollop of whip cream and enjoy!

Continuing on with the adult theme of delicious Halloween themed cocktails, a favorite at any party is sure to be the Bloody Brain Shooter. This yummy and unique take on a Halloween shot will both delight and disturb your guests. This shot is another fun way to celebrate with friends and family on Halloween. The recipe does not require a lot of ingredients but can be slightly tricky to make especially the brain part. The recipe calls for the following ingredients: 1 ¼ ounces of Strawberry vodka, 1/8 ounce of Lime juice, ¾ ounce of Bailey’s Irish Cream and a splash of grenadine. These ingredients yield one shot.

Chill vodka beforehand in order to ensure smoothness.
Add the vodka and the lime juice to a shaker and vigorously shake. Pour mixture into a shot glass.
Dip a straw into some Bailey’s Irish Cream and then cover the top tip of the straw in order to hold the Bailey’s in the straw.
Submerge the straw tip into the shot glass and slowly release your finger from the top.
The Bailey’s will curdle in the shot and create a strand effect, which will look like a brain.
Pour a splash of grenadine over the “brain” to create the appearance of blood.

When planning a Halloween party, your desserts don’t have to be elaborate or complex. The best treats are sometimes the simplest to make. Halloween is the most sugarcoated time of the year and the best way to celebrate is by making delicious treats and drinks. These simple recipes are sure to be a hit with both adults and children. We would love to hear your favorite Halloween recipes. Tweet us to let us know how you like to celebrate Halloween!

Entertainment, Puyallup, Washington State Fair

Celebrating Oktoberfest in the Northwest

Posted on October 6, 2016by Thera

As fall ushers in the colder weather and the leaves start to change from green to red, brown and gold, one of the best festivals happens during this wonderful time of year. Oktoberfest is held each year around the globe and two of the best places to celebrate this cultural event is right here in the Northwest! For those who can’t make it all the way to Munich to celebrate, Washington is home to our very own Bavarian Village, Leavenworth. The Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup also hosts an exciting Oktoberfest event of their own. These two events give visitors an authentic feel and taste of the true German Oktoberfest spirit. With delicious food and beer and lots of fun activities, attending Oktoberfest is a great way to celebrate our fantastic Washington fall weather!

Oktoberfest is a traditional, yearly event held in Munich, Germany and starts the third weekend of September and ends the first Sunday of October. The festival dates all the way back to 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on the 12^th of October. The citizens of the city of Munich were invited to attend the wedding festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates. The royal family held horses race to mark the end of the festival. The next year the horse races were held again and this gave rise to the yearly tradition of Oktoberfest. The following year in 1811, in order to boost Bavarian agriculture, the first agricultural show was added. The first few decades of the festival did not have the amount of attractions that a visitor can experience today. At first, there was a carousel, a few swings and a couple of small beer stands. Over the next few years, beer tents and halls sprung up with the backing of breweries. Today, Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world. This year is the 183^rd Oktoberfest and the city of Munich will see about 6 million visitors converge on the city to celebrate German food, drink and traditions.

For those of us that can’t make it all the way to Europe to celebrate this fun event, the state of Washington is fortunate to have our every own Bavarian city. Leavenworth is a delightful city surrounded by the picturesque Cascade Mountains and is the next best thing to being in the city of Munich. This festival runs the weekends of September 30^th until October 1^st, October 7^th and the 8^th, and the final weekend is October 14th and 15^th. The city has four venues with live entertainment, delicious food and beer, and fun activities. Make to attend the traditional Keg Tapping Ceremony at 1:00 pm every Saturday when Leavenworth’s Mayor will honor a Bavarian Tradition of “tapping the keg”. The festival in Leavenworth began in 1998 when Projekt Bayern, a non-profit organization created to promote the old world Bavarian theme through the city, came up with the idea to host an authentic Oktoberfest in the city. Every year has seen an increase in attractions and in visitors. Currently, over a million people come to visit the city for the festival. This fun celebration is $10 for admission on Fridays and $20 for Saturdays with children under 12 free. There is also free admission for active military members with valid ID.

If you can’t make it over to Leavenworth for the celebration, then head to Puyallup for the best Oktoberfest celebration in the South Sound. This authentic celebration at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup is on October 7 through the 9^th. Oktoberfest Northwest hosts the largest Munich style Festhalle Biergarten and features genuine German food, beer, and entertainment. The featured events at Oktoberfest Northwest include the 5k Stein Dash, the Hammerschlagen, and the Weiner Dog races. On Sunday, October 9^th the Stein Dash is a fun run that pairs running with beer tasting. When you sign up for the 5k you get a commemorative stein, an event shirt, a bib number, and a token for a free drink. There are 3 pit stops on the 3.1 mile run where participants can fill up their stein with a different beer at each stop. Another fun event at Oktoberfest Northwest is the Hammerschlagen Tournament of Champions. This event is a competition to see how fast an individual can drive a nail into a cross section of wood. One of the most unique events at Oktoberfest Northwest are the wiener dog races. The “Running of the Wieners” is for Daschunds of all shapes and sizes and benefits local rescues chosen by race organizers, NW Wiener Races. Oktoberfest Northwest is located at the Washington State Fair Events Center at 110 9th Ave SW in Puyallup. This family-friendly event has something for everyone and is the perfect way to celebrate Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is a fun way to not only celebrate fall but to celebrate a time-honored German tradition. Oktoberfest has deep traditional roots and the Northwest offers many fun ways to celebrate but the best events in the state are right in our very own backyard. The Washington State Fair in Puyallup has a wonderful celebration filled with delicious food and beer and a lot of fun events. This event in the South Sound is perfect for the whole family. Our very own Bavarian Village, Leavenworth, has the most authentic Oktoberfest celebration in the nation. The beautiful backdrop of the Cascade Mountains and the traditional architecture of the buildings create the perfect ambiance for Oktoberfest. We would love to hear your thoughts about your favorite part of Oktoberfest. Tweet us and let us know!

Puyallup

Winter Weddings in Puyallup

Posted on September 28, 2016by Thera

The summer wedding season has come and gone but the winter wedding season is just starting to heat up. As the summer fades into the fall, now is the perfect time to start planning a gorgeous winter wedding in the city of Puyallup. Most people opt for a summer wedding because they think it is more picturesque than a winter wedding but with the right touches, a winter wedding can be tastefully dramatic and gorgeous. With the right combination of the proper venue and some updated wedding trends, the City of Puyallup offers some fantastic and affordable indoor venues along with amazing vendors to help make your winter wedding a lovely affair sure to be remembered for years to come.

This winter wedding season sees a shift in wedding trends towards the classic and the formal. People are forgoing the old winter wedding standbys and opting for formal elegance and simplicity. Gone are the traditional reds and greens and pinecones for decorations. When it comes to choosing colors and
decorations for a winter wedding, adopting a less is more attitude goes a long way towards achieving that glamorous look. Substituting white and silver accents throughout the wedding creates an elegant ambiance and sets the scene for a winter wedding. Using full white flowers like Hydrangeas and Ranunculus make for beautiful bouquets. Stepping outside the box with a unique choice of flowers helps to add an individual touch to a winter wedding. Silver accents are easy to add and it can be as simple as using silver crystals on your centerpieces and silver jewelry for the bride and the bridesmaids.

When it comes to food and drinks for a winter wedding, opting for warm food and drinks helps to keep your guests toasty on those colder nights. Instead of boring plain hot chocolate, get creative and add some peppermint schnapps or Kahlua with some silver sprinkles on top. Or instead of regular hot chocolate, use white hot chocolate in order to keep with the white winter theme. Or create a signature wedding cocktail by using homemade Candy Cane Infused Vodka. Giving a unique twist to winter cocktails gives your guests a surprise treat to look forward to while celebrating. For the meal, comfort food makes for a delightful feast at a winter wedding. Opening with a warm soup like a curried butternut squash soup accompanied with a winter salad with cranberries and walnuts will help set the stage for an opulent main course like prime cuts of beef like filet mignon or venison and pheasant. Because winter weddings are more formal, the meal that accompanies a winter wedding must be more formal in nature. When it comes to desert, think out of the box with a with a spice cake with caramel frosting or a white cake with a cranberry buttercream frosting. Utilize your cake as a decorative piece by using silver edible dust or keep it classically simple with an all-white cake decorated with white and deep red English Cabbage Roses. Once again, remember less is more and it goes a long way when it comes to setting the tone for an elegant wedding.

Indoor venues are a must when it comes to a winter wedding. Finding the right venue for your wedding is key to creating the perfect setting, Puyallup not only offers gorgeous indoor venues but they are also affordable to boot. One of the city’s favorite venues is the Liberty Theater located at 116 West Main in Downtown Puyallup. This gorgeous northwest venue has been a historic landmark for over 80 years. The original chairs have been removed from the theater floor to create space for up to 250 guests. This historic ballroom has a beautiful stage that sets the tone for an elegant affair. The original architecture creates the perfect background for your wedding photos. Another popular, affordable indoor venue is the Washington State Fairgrounds. Whether you wish to have a rustic elegant winter affair or a grand winter wonderland soiree, the fairgrounds has it all to help fulfill all your wedding needs. They have four different options for venues on the fairgrounds. The first venue is the Fair Farm, which is a rustic barn complete with open beam ceilings, shuttered windows, and grand chandeliers. This heated indoor venue can accommodate up to 300 guests. The Fair View Club is an elegant indoor space that is perfect for intimate weddings for up to 150 guests. This venue features gorgeous millwork, a cozy stone fireplace perfect for warming your guests on a cold night, and large windows that allow your guests a perfect picturesque view of the fairgrounds. The Expo Hall is located just inside the Gold gate on the Washington State fairgrounds and provides a venue for up to 800 guests. The Pavilion is the largest rental space on the grounds and can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. Regardless of the size of your winter wedding, the Washington State Fair has something for every couple looking to get married.

Winter weddings are getting a glamorous update this season. For those looking to plan a wedding during the cold winter months, classic decor is on trend for this year. Elegant, formal affairs are the perfect way to celebrate your nuptials and Puyallup has a lot to offer in the way of both venues and vendors. Let us know your winter wedding ideas on the Puyallup Twitter!

Entertainment, Puyallup

Swimming Pools, Splash Park and Lessons in Puyallup

Posted on September 13, 2016by Thera

With summer starting to wind down in Washington, it’s never too late to start taking the kids to swim at the local pool or Sprayground. Luckily, for the residents in the Puyallup area, there are plenty of pools and a sprayground to keep the kids entertained. Fortunately, the sunny days last until the end of September around here and even after the sun is gone and we start to transition into the colder days, taking indoor swimming lessons is always a good idea. Kids of all ages should be taking swim lessons to not only help teach them water safety but to also help them stay active when the weather starts to get worse.

A few years ago, due to overwhelming community support, Puyallup’s Pioneer Park got a new splash pad to replace the old wading pool. After all the support from the community and seeing how popular the Tacoma spray parks had become, the Puyallup city council decided it was time to transfer funds to the Parks and Recreation capitol improvements project for the design and installation of the splash park. The Kiwanis Kids Spray Park is one of the South Sound’s newest spray parks and Puyallup’s first. This splash park is open from 10am until 8pm and is located at 324 S. Meridian in Puyallup by the downtown Library. The spray park has all kinds of fun features with water not only being sprayed up from the ground but also dumped from above by cool water installations.

The Mel Korum YMCA located at 302 43^rd Ave. SE in Puyallup offers swim lessons and water safety programs for all ages. There are early youth, preschool, youth, teen and adult swim lessons. They also have private swim lessons for people who need more one on one coaching when it comes to swimming. Early youth swim lessons are for children from 6 months old up to 36 months and the instructor works with the parent and child on basic water skills that include paddling, sitting on the pool edge, floating, basic swimming skills, blowing bubbles, and being able to swim unassisted. Preschool swim lessons are for children ages 3 to 5 and these lessons build on basic swimming and water safety skills. The lessons progress to teaching children the different swimming strokes like the front crawl and backstroke. Youth lessons are for children ages 6 through 11 years old. These lessons focus on teaching endurance and perfecting all the basic arm strokes and eventually lead up to teaching competitive swim practices and junior lifeguarding skills. Teen swim lessons, for kids ages 12 to 14, are divided into two separate classes, Teen Swim 1 and Teen Swim 2. Teen Swim 1 is a beginner class that works with smaller groups on swim skills and team building. The skills include the elementary backstroke, backstroke, sidestroke and breaststroke. Teen Swim 2 is an intermediate level class that builds on all the skills learned in Swim Teen 1 but with the addition of learning the breaststroke and the butterfly. The Mel Korum YMCA also provides Adult Swim lessons for anyone ages 15 years and up. For those people interested in water safety, the YMCA provides a Lifeguard Certification program.

The Puyallup High School pool is also available to the public. There is a lifeguard on duty along with showers and locker rooms that are provided for day use. Activities at this pool include lap swimming, water exercise, swim school and physical therapy. The pool also has equipment like kick boards, pace clocks, pulling gear, backstroke flags, and lane lines available for use. The Puyallup High School Pool also offers Life Guard Training classes. The pool is heated and has 6 lanes total and is open year round. General admission is $3.75 and senior admission is $3.50. The pool is located on the corner of 6^th ST SW and W Main Ave on the backside of the gym building.

Teaching your children how to swim is an important skill to learn. In Puyallup we are lucky to not only live close to the ocean but also close to a few different lakes. Water safety and swim lessons help prevent drowning and help people to understand the dangers in the water. These programs are designed to also make swimming and water safety fun and enjoyable. Swimming is excellent exercise and provides a fun way to cool off during the hot summer days. Make sure to check out both these pools and splash park in Pioneer Park for a fun family orientated activity.

Kiwanis Kids Spray Park

Downtown, Education, Puyallup

Central School in Puyallup (History)

Posted on September 23, 2015by Admin

Central School class photo in Puyallup

Students at Central School in Puyallup posed for this photo in about 1888. Today’s public school enrollment in grades from kindergarten through high school tops 22,250.

Fort Maloney served as our city’s first school at what is now Grayland Park. No longer able to accommodate a growing student population, in a building not originally intended to house a school, townspeople decided it was time for a new school to be built. It would be located where the present day Karshner Museum is located. Although larger than the room they shared in the Fort, accommodations were sparse. Logs served as chairs, students had no desks, and with no ceiling, the precious warmth remained high in the rafters. To help remedy this situation, and interesting proposal came about. One of the townspeople owned a flag that had once proudly flown over Fort Steilacoom. The flag was huge, large enough to easily cover the open rafters in the schoolhouse. So large, in fact, that it had to be partially folded to fit in the accommodating space. This school, dubbed the “Green School” because it was entirely coated in green paint, served the city from 1873 until 1886.

However, by 1884, it was apparent that the Green School was becoming to small to serve the growing community. Even with many additions, such as desks and large windows, the building was becoming increasingly inadequate. A new school was proposed, but taxpayers rejected the idea of building the planned $10,000 school. By 1885, a new plan was proposed, cutting the costs to $3,000. With a winning bid of $3,035, construction finally began. By summer 1886, the three-story school was nearly complete. All that was left was to place a 475lb. school bell at the top of the beautiful new building. When classes began in October 1886 enrollment stood at 140 students.

What happened to Central School? Unfortunately, in 1928 the building was destroyed by fire… But, the foundation of the original Central School was not destroyed. It was built upon and used as the original Stewart Elementary, and today that building serves as the Karshner Museum.

Old Central School Puyallup Washington

Puyallup's Central School old class photo

Downtown, Education, Puyallup

What’s with the name, Puyallup?

Posted on September 22, 2015by Admin

Puyallup name origin why

In short, the name came from an Indian phrase “pough,” which meant “add more,” and “allup,” which meant “the people.” The Indians who lived in Puyallup’s river area, he said, always gave more than needed or expected to other Indians who came to trade. They were a very generous people.

Our first settlers in the valley began to know the town as Meekersville, after Ezra Meeker, the one most considered the first to plat the land in the valley. Mr. Meeker wasn’t fond of the name, so when the first postmaster was asked by the government postal office the name of the town, he replied Franklin, named after the first postmasters (J.P. Stewart) hometown in New York. However, this name frustrated settlers who found that because Franklin was a common name for communities throughout the still forming United States, their mail often ended up in the various Franklin’s throughout the States. Once Washington became a state, Ezra Meeker was asked to supply a name for the town in which this land laid, he choose Puyallup as its name.

Why Puyallup? Ezra was determined to pick a name that no other town in the United States would have, or ever likely have in the future, so that citizens would be assured that any and all mail addressed to “Puyallup” would no doubt find its way to this distinctively named city.

In later years however, Ezra Meeker always questioned (and regretted) his decision, seeing the difficulty those from outside the region had in pronouncing the name or interpreting its spelling.

Education, Entertainment, Puyallup

Places To Visit Today in Puyallup

Posted on July 14, 2015by Admin

Places to visit in Puyallup

The weather today in Puyallup is amazing and that means you need to get out of the house and have some fun. If you’re new to Puyallup or just moved here – then give these main places to visit a try. It’s a short list but covers all the big places you must see and what better time then now to go see them!

Puyallup Fair
People come from all over to see the semi-annual Puyallup Fair! It was voted to be one of the Top 10 fairs in the entire U.S.! Find out more about the fair at TheFair.com!

Recently the Puyallup Fair changed its name to the Washington State Fair. The change was due to branding and to draw bigger events and crowds to the area.

Puyallup Library
Read more about the new Puyallup Library! The library offers a variety of classes and programs. The Library is fully updated and remodeled. They have rooms available for special events and/or can be reserved. From books, dvds, fast computers you can find almost everything at the Puyallup Library downtown.

Meeker Mansion
Meeker Mansion is a historical site and former home of Puyallup’s founder, Ezra Meeker. He was the first mayor and the one who named the town Puyallup, meaning “generous people”. Find out more about the mansion at the website MeekerMansion.org.

Karshner Museum
A fun place for kids to learn about history and other cultures. Everything from dinosaur fossils to Indian tipis are on display. Programs for children are also offered. Go there! I remember visiting as a child and smelling the big elephant foot. The Karshner Museum is a popular student destination.

Mount Rainier National Park
This enormous 200,000+ acre park is ideal for climbing, skiing, camping, or just photographing the beautiful wildlife! Find out more by visiting the Mount Rainier Park website. One of the great things about living in Puyallup is that if you want to visit the snow it’s not too far away.