I was planning this blog,  when elbow deep in dishwater that looked a lot like  soup. On Wednesday evenings I head down to the Johnsonville Salvation Army to wash dishes for several hours, lots of dishes. Every week they host a community meal  (called MASH – Meal At Sallies House) for anyone and everyone.

Lets face it there are lots of people struggling at the moment and having a $2 dinner once a week can make significant budgeting difference to some.

We have Pensioners coming  for some company,   families coming to give Mum a break from cooking, teenagers coming to do what teenagers do – gather and talk! We also have people who come for their only cooked meal that week.

Whats the most amazing to me are the people that work there. They come from all walks of life, accountants, nannies, business owner, single parents, retirees, corporate managers and even CEO’s  all coming to give their time to their community.

We are all busy people but a little bit from a lot of people can make a big difference. And sometimes making a small difference in someones day is a big deal.

So I ask you – what are YOU doing in your community?

There are many ways to get involved in your community from getting to know your neighbours to becoming a volunteer. Check out these website www.sajchurch.com and www.donatenz.com You can give household items, food and support to good causes. Find out today where the need is and how you can help.

If you’re wondering what to do for your child’s party this year – check this out!

New to Hire Things are these Amazing Big Characters. Large life like character costumes you can hire for the day and set the theme for your party.

Costumes come with free party theme ideas like this one

Dilly Dinosaur:  draw big dinosaur footprints with chalk. Or hide little plastic dinosaurs in the sandpit so the kids can dig for dinosaurs. Gather the children into a group, get them to chant for the character “Dilly the Dinosaur… Dilly the Dinosaur!”Dilly the Dinosaur arrives and greets everyone with a wave, shakes hands, cuddles. Dilly the Dinosaur can lead a marching parade and play games.  There are  game suggestions and also the “Dino Pokey.” You could also educate the children about dinosaurs and make it a fun way of learning.

The costumes are made to fit an adult between 5′4″ – 6′1″.  All you need is a volunteer!!

Not just for kids parties these characters are great for promotions and events for  instant attention, smiles, fun, laughter and happiness!
For any age!

BIRTHDAY PARTIES, MAINLY MUSIC, DAYCARE, KINDY, CLUBS, LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, EDUCATIONAL, SHOPS, GRAND OPENINGS, CAR DEALERSHIPS, PROMOTIONS, COMPANY EVENTS, TRADE SHOWS, RESTAURANTS, HOSPITAL VISITS, RETIREMENT HOMES, FUNDRAISING, CHARITIES

Photo booths, what a fab idea! For weddings,  parties,  school balls – any event where you want to add something a bit different and a lot of fun.

Dispose of those disposable cameras! This is instant, unlimited, you get a CD copy for reprints, comes with an album, gives you much more candid personal shots AND is heaps more fun!  No you can’t fit it into your handbag but it comes with booth attendant!

The ‘Retro’ styled Fun strips print within seconds and are instantly dry and protected with a clear coat providing guests with a lasting keepsake.

No more stiff, uncomfortable formal photos at school balls – fun and funky personal photos with friends, sounds and looks much more appealing.

At your wedding, hire a photo booth and  let your guests have some photo fun too!

Thinking about taking your dog to a family or friends wedding or party? Maybe your getting married and your pooch is a big part of your family.

If I had one of those lovely well trained dogs I would want them there and want them to look gorgeous too. Now instead on a bit of ribbon around their neck you can hire them their own tuxedo.

The easy fit 3 piece pet  Tuxedo looks stunning on dogs and cats.

Velcro belly band and chest band allows for the tux to be adjusted for a secure fit. Made from light weight cotton and full lined. Satin detailing around the collar with white trim. Tux comes with adjustable black and white bow tie and top hat with elastic chin strap.

At  only $35 to hire for 2 days its not going to break the bank and  looks absolutely amazing!

My dog however is very much of the ‘Marley” variety and sadly has goat like tendencies – he would chew it to bits and ask what was for desert!

Of course I would never take my dog in the first place I can already imagine all the inappropriate sniffing, drooling on new outfits, unpleasant bodily emissions during the ceremony, eating the wedding cake the list could go on…

Getting the right entertainment for your event can be difficult and confusing. Take the time to decide what you want, look at your options and choose carefully.

Entertainment should be an integral part of your event planning. Remember you are paying for talented professionals who create a lasting impression

Blues, Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop, House, Easy listening

Covers bands – playing all your old favorites

Jazz bands – for that sophisticated well loved sound

Back ground music – to set the mood

Party bands – make sure the party rocks and keeps everyone dancing

Choose from a variety of very talented musicians some who have been playing in the industry for many years.

Prices for live music can vary from $500 to $5000(for well known bands)

DJ

10 things to ask to make sure you get the right DJ for your event.

What type of music do they provide?

Do they play requests?

Are they available for your date?

What is their experience?

Do they have references?

Will they be the DJ on the night?

How are they presented?

What kind of equipment do they have?

Do they have lighting as well?

Have they played at your venue before?

Make sure you get a DJ you feel you can trust and are comfortable with.

A great DJ really knows how to work a crowd and has music tailored to fit your specific needs. They cater to all ages and music tastes  and give you a worry free event by keeping your event flowing and ensuring everyone has fun!

Musicians Solo, duo, trio, quartet Create the right atmosphere with a variety of sounds and musical styles.

Magicians – not just for kids.

As well as adding some real fun to any kid’s party or keeping them happy at work parties and weddings Magicians are also fantastic for drawing crowds at trade shows and breaking the ice at networking functions.

Magic appeals to all ages and can make your next event both interesting and memorable.

Something a little bit different?

Blaze fire dancer - heat up your event

Impersonators – why not have someone famous?

Bagpipes – that distinctive sound

Strolling Dixie Band - ideal for out doors

What about a murder mystery…

Or a singing telegram…

Whether you’re planning the coolest party ever…..

or

A bride deciding on entertainment for her wedding ….

or

Just someone determined not to have another one of those boring corporate functions….

Hire Things offers you more choice than ever to get the perfect entertainment. 100’s of professional bands, DJ, musicians and entertainers through out New Zealand are ready to make your next function totaly unforgettable!

Too much choice?     Don’t know where to start?

Would like to talk someone about the best entertainment fo you?

These guys can help…

Paper Plane – helping you find the right entertainment for your event

Findaband – they’ve got live entertainment covered!

PK Entertainment – putting Wellington in touch with Wellington music

Tuatara – a unique and innovative business that specializes in film and entertainment.

OED – Otago Entertainment directors offering a diverse range of entertainment throughout Otago.

Which ever entertainment you choose we hope you have a fantastic event!

Iona and the Hire Things Team

DJ 10 things to ask to make sure you get the right DJ for your event.
				What type of music do they provide? Do they play requests? Are they available for your date? What is their experience? Do they have references? Will they be the DJ on the night? How are they presented? What kind of equipment do they have? Do they have lighting as well? Have they played at your venue before?

The April/May edition of Wellington Today, a magazine for growing businesses, had a lot of interesting articles in it, particularly one called “Trimming the fat”.

The main focus of the article was ways to cut costs and work more efficiently.

It warns of cutting costs not quality and that business survival is a 3 step process – cut costs, hold on to your cash and increase sales. The article then listed several suggestions to go about this.

The part that caught my eye was ‘borrow or rent equipment’ and it asks “Have you ever purchased business equipment for a small period of time?”

I’m sure many of you have but you just don’t need to. You can hire pretty much everything, keeping your cash where you need it, in your business!

Presentations -  audio visual equipment, projectors, conference facilities

Computers – get up to date technology at a fraction of the price, laptops or PC

You can hire office furniture, office space, you can even hire that all important coffee machine.

Pause before that next purchase and consider hiring as an alternative.

I hope we just saved your company a lot of money.

Iona

HireThings.co.nz

You don’t have to churn out your sad Cd collection or  get your mum to make sandwiches and cocktail sausages YOU can have the best party in town!

You can hire a jukebox, a Dj and even a band. With an amazing selection of entertainment now available online with Hire Things you can Find, Choose and Book in less time than it takes to sort out your own music!

You can get bubble machines, disco lights, smoke machines and fireworks!

Marquees if its hot, outdoor heaters if its cold.

Hire a bartender to serve your friends and all you need now is the food!

For something a bit different how about a wood fired pizza?

Flamin pizza’s come to your event and make pizzas to your requirements using only fresh ingredients all cooked in a manuka fired pizza oven.

Tastes and looks amazing and they do all the work!

What ever you need for your party its only a few clicks away on Hire Things.

The best and easiest party you ever planned.

Hope its a fantastic one!

Iona

Wellington’s 10th international rugby sevens tournament kicks off this year on February 6th.

A major local event where it was recently  stated  in the Dominion Post  ” the costumes have become as much a part of the event as the rugby”

Its a fabulous  day where there is no such thing as “over the top” and checking out the costumes and dressing up with friends brings a great party atmosphere to the capital.

So don’t be the only person at the sevens without a costume!

Hire Things has 100s of costumes available through out New Zealand  and most of our suppliers courier to your door for only few dollars extra so you have no excuse!

Match your outfits or pick a theme – uniforms, sports, nursery rhymes, pirates, warriors, cops and gangsters, superheros we have got them all but you need to get in quick.

Weapons, near nudity – ( Please no mankinis!) neon vests and costumes exceeding seat size are banned, other than that anything goes.

Have a great day, be sun smart and get lots of photos.

Iona

P.S   If you can’t make the game, watch it with friends on this very cool Rugby Big Screen Package!

You may have noticed a few changes recently   Yep, Hire Things now has a new look & feel…. and a a few improvements.

You can now browse or search around the over 5,000 goods, places, and services for hire and add to your HirePlana all the things you think you may want.  It doesn’t matter what hire suppliers these things will be coming from, you’ll be able to see and manage all your quote, booking, and information requests in one place.

This means complete events and projects and adventures can be planned online far more easily.

Once you’ve added a few items, you then submit your requests ( ) to get quotes or request bookings, or to get further information.

Submit your requests to get quotes, bookings, or more info.

Shortly afterwards you should then recieve quotes and confirmations ( ).

You can accept quotes to confirm into bookings ( ).

At any time you can continue to add, remove, and adjust quantities for things on your HirePlana until you’ve got everything you need organised.

Iona and the Hire Things team.

With the 100’s of items being hired out through Hire Things for next weekend, I know there is some serious partying going on.

We want to see what you’ve been up to!

You in your costume or partying with friends, send us your photos and we will put you into a draw for double movie passes .

Get them into us by 14th November to go into the draw and we will post a photos page the following week. Photos can be emailed to iona@hirethings.com.

My kids are dragging me off to a Halloween alternative party so I’ll have my own “interesting” photos to post…

For those of you making last minute plans there maybe a few costumes still available, and how about a smoke machine for a little atmosphere? For the very keen we have the fabulous BodyFx girls able to create all sorts of zombies, monsters and horrible creatures.

What ever you are planning, have fun, stay safe and send us your pictures.

Iona and the Hire Things Team