Economic Endeavors

Not long ago, I heard about a website called HouseParty.com. At that site, big corporations sponsor parties to promote a new product or service that is available to consumers. Anyone can apply to host one of these parties, and there are usually at least a few available to apply for on the site.

There is no selling at these parties. If you're selected to be a host, the company sends you a package of products and related goodies for you to demonstrate to your guests. The parties can center around food products, DVDs of new shows coming on a television network in the upsoming season, toys, cleaning products, etc. There are countless companies wanting to get the word out to the public about their products, and sponsoring House Parties is becoming a very popular way to do that.

Hosting a House Party is a great excuse to get some friends together and socialize and have fun while trying out new items and scoring some free stuff.

I have applied to host 2 House Parties in the past, a Hershey's Bliss house party (a chocolate party, need I say more??) and a Party for the second Season of Ice Road Truckers, a show on the DIscovery Channel that my husband really likes. I didn't get picked for either of these, so I was starting to think that I may not be in the demographic that they're looking for.

I got an email a month or so ago that they were accepting applications for a Fisher Price House party. And the host package was amazing, better than either of the other two that I had applied for before. I was sure I wouldn't get chosen, but I applied anyways. I wanted this one way more than the other two, so imagine my glee when I got an email yesterday congratulating me on being chosen!

I am super excited about this party. First, they're sending some awesome toys my way. The package includes:

* 1 Laugh & Learn™ Fun with Friends™ Musical Table (ages 6 mos. to 3 yrs., MSRP $49.95)
* 1 Amazing Animals™ Spinnin’Around Musical Zoo (MSRP $49.99, not available in stores until 8/18/08)* 1 Go Baby Go Crawl & Cruise Musical Jungle™ (MSRP $65.29, not available in stores until 8/18/08)
* 10 Fisher-Price toys to share with your guests, including Poppity Pop™, Rock-A-Stack®, and Friendly Flip Phone™
* 10 Infant Product Guides
* 10 coupons for the Fisher-Price online store
* 10 Gift Bags


Isn't that cool?!?! My daughters are going to flip over these toys. I'm excited about the Musical Jungle, because it looks a lot like the Drop and Roll Dinosaur that my 2 year old, Zoe, LOVES. These toys are perfect for my two girls. As soon as the party is over, they're getting packed away to go under the tree on Christmas. What a blessing.

My friends are already excited about the party, too. I have quite a few friends with chilcren who are between 6-3 years old, so it should be a great time!