January can seem like a long and depressing month. It's cold, it's dark, we've just returned to work after a lovely Christmas break, and most of us are eagerly awaiting the next pay day. For many people, a night out is off the cards, and many of us could do with a bit of a pick me up.
If you are nodding your head as you read this, then why not be inspired for the latest creative trend and organise a paint party?
Ever-growing in popularity, a paint party is a great option for something to do at the weekend. If there's a room you feel could do with a colourful uplift, why not invite some pals around, turn up the radio and get painting?
A few top tips for your own paint party:
Be prepared - Make sure you have everything you need before you start. Apart from the paint, think about dust sheets to cover furniture, masking tape for your skirting boards, and of course enough brushes and rollers to go around.
Snacks and drinks - a party isn't a party without a few snacks to keep everyone going.
The reward - after all their hard work, why not reward your pals with some pizza and a DVD. Everyone will enjoy a relaxed night in, in your 'new' surroundings!
Paint parties are growing in popularity - have a read of a couple of these testimonials for some top tips, and get painting!
"I'd just moved into a new flat and everything was magnolia. The walls were magnolia, the doors were magnolia, it was magnolia-land. I live on my own and didn't relish the thought of painting the flat by myself, so I invited the girls round to help. I even sent them cute invites to come to their first paint party. It was so much fun and we were actually finished pretty quickly. We turned up the radio, filled up on snacks and fizzy drinks and got to work. Well, I say 'work', it was actually a lot of fun and really therapeutic. Since then, I've been invited to two more paint parties! It's like we're part of a little paint-movement!" Suzie, Marketing Assistant, Dublin
"My mum's sister was coming to visit from Australia. She wanted the house to look its best but, of course, she left it to the very last minute to buy her paint. Anyway, she'd read about paint parties online and had a 'light bulb' moment. She invited all of my aunties and cousins round and got us to help out. It was such a laugh and the house looked amazing when my aunty arrived." Sue, Child Minder, Tipperary
"My girlfriend had just moved into my house but felt that it was more 'my place' than 'our home'. I could see why - it was a total bachelor pad. One weekend when she went to stay with her mum, I invited the lads over to get a couple of rooms painted. The promise of pizza and watching the match on my HD TV afterwards were my 'carrot' to persuade them. It was actually pretty fun, and my girlfriend was so happy when she got home. She says she feels like she's living in 'our home' a last! " Sue, Child Minder, Tipperary
