January is the New December

If you're like most people around this time of year, you've probably noticed that your December schedule is already becoming quite full.  Between holiday parties, school concerts, shopping for presents, baking, traveling, and more, it can be hard to find a moment of free time during this busy season.  That is why many employers are taking part in the popular trend of having their company holiday party AFTER the holidays!

It's no wonder why they are choosing to do this either.

Here are 5 reasons why January is becoming the new December!

1.  It is more convenient for the employees.

It is so much easier to find a free weekend in January than December.  Because of this, your employees will appreciate not have to choose between events or other commitments.  Plus, it is easier for employees to find babysitters after the busy holiday season when they are in high demand.

  

2.  There are more dates to choose from.

There are only so many weekends before Christmas.  January opens up a whole new slew of choices that don't conflict with any holidays or travel times.

3.  It boosts company moral in January!

After the bustle of the holidays, January can be a bit of a letdown.  Thankfully, a January event helps to add some excitement and fun to the schedule.  January events allow your guests to laugh about the holiday stress without being in the middle of it.  Everyone can trade stories and talk about their Christmas break without being worried about everything remaining on their to-do list.

4.  They can easily be mixed with team-building activities.

Bouncing off of #4, January parties can be used to get the team motivated again.  Incorporate some fun team-building activities into your event and encourage guests to participate with prizes.  This is a great way to get the new years started off right.

5. It's cheaper!

Many discounts are available in January.  Plus, it gives you as the employer a chance to look at your year-end books to better decide how much you are able to budget.

For more information on our holiday parties please send us an e-mail today.

Have a great day, y'all!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Word From the Herd: A Party Filled Weekend

Yesterday we told you all about one of the super fun holiday parties that we had at Benjamin Ranch last weekend.  But did we mention that we were also partying it up back at Faulkner’s Ranch?

Yup, meanwhile back at Faulkner’s we were celebrating with our friends from Overland Park Dentistry for their second year in a row.

Let us tell ya folks - these people know how to party!

They arrived via a party bus which is not only a fun way to get the party started, but it is also a nice amenity if you are providing a host bar.  Plus, you can set the tone for your event.  Just bring along a pre-loaded iPod with your playlist and get ready to jam!

Want to know another great benefit to having a party bus at your event?  After the part is over you can keep the party going!  Groups always love it when after celebrating at the ranch they get to drive through Christmas in the Park or head on downtown to see the Plaza Lights.

This group had a few other fun party add-ons like Saphira the Fortune teller and a caricature artist.  Fortune tellers can be a lot of fun at company parties and caricature artists provide a nice party favor to take home.  The more add-ons, the merrier!

Beautiful dessert table setup, complete with brownies and fresh apple crisp.

Overland Park Dentistry wasn’t our only party at Faulkner’s Ranch last weekend though.  On Saturday we hosted Pinnacle Career Institute faculty and staff.  This was a great party complete with a mechanical bull, roller roper, and a Ranch J entertainer.

The Ranch J entertainer was a great addition since they taught the group how to do some fun dances and even led a game of Build-A-Santa! Have you ever played Build-A-Santa?  It’s super fun!  First, you call up two volunteers.  Then those volunteers must go out into the crowd and find three more volunteers to create their team.  Each team designates a “Santa” who puts on a red union suit (aka long-john underwear) and a Santa hat.  The team is then given three minutes to blow up as many small balloons as possible and stuff their Santa.  When the time is up the Ranch J counts the balloons as they pop them.  The team with the most balloons wins! 

We also play another version of this called Build-A-Snowman using toilet paper.  Team members are encouraged to "borrow" items from the audience to decorate their snowmen like hats, scarves, gloves, etc.  When time is up, the snowmen have a dance off!  The winning snowman is chosen based on audience applause.

Pinnacle Career Institute definitely kept their guests entertained with all of these activities.  Plus, they gave away raffle prizes every 15 minutes throughout the party.

We weren’t done partying for the weekend just yet though!  On Sunday we celebrated with Anthony Plumbing Heating and Cooling!  This year they added some super fun flair to their party with some special ranch entertainment.  The kicked off the party by having Too Tall Terry outside to welcome everyone as they arrived.

Too Tall greets the guests as they arrive.

Once the guests were settled in, Sheriff T. Texas Terry dazzled the crowd with his 30-minute interactive cowboy show.  It has everything from rope spinning, to gun twirling, to showing off his bullwhip cracking skills.

Sheriff Terry chose a trail boss volunteer to risk his life while he cracks a delicate little daisy out of his hand.

A favorite part of his show is always when he calls up four volunteers to become the “Ding-A-Lings,” his amazing cowbell choir!

The Ding-a-Lings

Overall, it was an AMAZING weekend filled with lots of fun! We can't wait to celebrate with these groups again!

Are you interested in having your company's holiday party at the ranch?

It's not too late to book one!

Post-holiday holiday parties are a great way to kick off the fourth quarter.  Plus, you're likely to have a great attendance since most people aren't as busy as they are during the holiday season.

Just give us a call at 816-761-1234 to find out more information on our January party packages or visit our website.

Until then, Merry Christmas!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Word From the Herd: A Wacky Tacky Christmas Party

Can you believe that Christmas Eve is tomorrow?

For us, it seems as if this holiday season has flown by! We’ve had so many wonderful holiday parties here at Faulkner’s Ranch and at Benjamin Ranch.  We feel truly blessed to be able to celebrate with such wonderful companies and groups.

In fact, just this past weekend we had several great parties, each one unique in its own way!

On Friday night at the Benjamin Ranch we celebrated with Kansas City Internal Medicine.
As always, this was a really fun group!

Every year they vote on a theme.  Isn’t that a great way to get the entire office involved?  By allowing everyone to have a say and contribute their ideas, it not only makes them feel like a part of the plans, but it also makes them more likely to attend and encourage others to attend as well.  Plus, when you pick a great theme it creates some party hype!

We have hosted Kansas City Internal Medicine’s holiday party for the last three years.  The first year their theme was Western (of course!).  The second year it was Hollywood Red Carpet and the third year it was a Hawaiian Luau.  All wonderful themes! This year though their theme was especially fun - it was Wacky Tacky! 

Guests showed up in some really great costumes ranging from characters from Christmas Vacation to the Christmas Story! There were also some really hideous holiday sweaters being sported!

They transformed the barn from classic rustic western to wacky tacky by purchasing different table coverings for every table so they didn't match.  Then everyone from the party planning committee brought tacky decorations from home for the centerpieces.  Aren't they lovely?

Oh, and did we mention that there was LOTS and LOTS of tinsel?

That’s one of the things that we LOVE about both of our locations.  While they always lend themselves to the western theme, with a little bit of creativity and decorations they can be transformed to fit any theme your party planning heart desires!

But back to the KCIM Party!

One of the things that we really enjoy about this group is that they have traditions that they do every year, another great benefit of having a yearly holiday party.  For Kansas City Internal Medicine, they have a tradition of a huge musical chairs competition.  We’re not joking when we say that these people mean business when it comes to musical chairs!  The winner receives a trophy and of course, bragging rights for the year.

Each year, they also take the opportunity to hand out the bonuses based on the number of years that they employee has worked for the company. If you plan on doing this at your party too, then it’s always a good idea to remember to save these to the end.  Same goes if you’re having a raffle drawing.  Save the biggest prize for the end of the party to ensure that your guests stay the entire time and mix and mingle.

As you can see, this party was a lot of fun!  They even had a photo booth, which is a great way to not only create lasting memories, but also provide some fun party favors!

Oh, and we can’t wrap up until we tell you about the specialty drink they had called “The Elf.” This delicious drink was a HUGE hit!  To make it, just mix together:

1/2 oz Malibu rum

1/2 oz light rum (like Bacardi)

1/2 oz Blue Curacao

1/2 oz Melon Liqueur

Equal parts sweet and sour and pineapple juice

Garnish with a cherry, serve, and enjoy!

Overall this was an awesome night!  It was wacky, tacky, and full of fun!  Great job, KCIM!

Are you interested in having a holiday party at the ranch?  It's not too late! Christmas may be in just a couple of days, but some of the best holiday parties take place after the holidays. Not only are people's schedules usually more open, but they serve as a nice fourth quarter kick-off!

For more info on our holiday party packages, click here or give us a call at 816-761-1234.

Happy Holidays Ya'll,

Your Friends at Faulkner's

Word From the Herd: A Country Christmas with Sprinkler Fitters

It Tis the Season for Holiday Parties!

It goes without saying that we always have a jolly good time at our Country Christmas parties and the Sprinkler Fitters Holiday Party on Saturday, December 8th was no different!

This party had 150 joyful guests, plus one very special guest.  Can you guess who it was?

Santa of course!!!

Yup, Mr. Claus was a huge hit as he sat onstage in our old antique sleigh.  All of the children at the party came up to visit him and each one even received a yummy candy gift.  It was so much fun to watch their reactions!

Afterwards, while the children were enjoying the Wild Western Playground and Ranch Recreation games, their parents mixed and mingled the afternoon away.  

Of course everyone enjoyed our Holiday Buffet complete with smoked sliced turkey, brisket, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed green tossed salad, skillet corn and warm yeast rolls with butter.

For dessert they ate fresh baked apple and cherry fruit crisps served with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.  

By the way, did we mention that they had a toasty fire going the whole time? ;o)

After lunch it was time for awards and recognition.  They also generously gave out raffle prizes consisting of gift certificates to all kinds of amazing restaurant.

And to top it all off, all of the families mosey'd up to the pony place where they took pony rides and fed the animals in the petting farm.

They also had a blast with the cow milking station, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, stick horses, the wagon wheel game, and the rockin' ropers!  It was just too much fun!

All in all, this party was an absolute blast for everyone involved!  

It's always a delight to see companies that provide great entertainment not only for their employees, but for their employees' families as well!
And Faulkner's Ranch is the perfect place to do that.  
We have so much to offer when it comes to family friendly Christmas parties. In addition to everything mentioned above, guests can also enjoy magic shows, face painting, horse drawn sleigh rides, cookie decorating, and more!
For more information on what we offer, click here!

Anyway, stay tuned for more fun holiday fun!

And remember, it's never too late to book a party of your own!  Having a holiday party after the holidays is a fantastic way to kick off the fourth quarter and boost everyone's morale!

Have a great day ya'll!

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Give the Gift of Pony Camp!

Having a hard time thinking of the PERFECT gift for your little cowgirl or cowboy this Christmas?

Then give them the gift of Pony Camp!

Faulkner’s Ranch Pony Camp is a week-long summer camp that teaches campers horseback riding skills, pony care, and teamwork.  Days are filled with riding lessons, ranch activities, crafts, games, and more!  There is even a pony show on the final day of camp that showcases all of the campers new tricks for their friends and family!

All levels of experience are welcome! No prior experience is required.

CLICK HERE to see the highlights from our 2012 Summer Sessions!

For more information on Faulkner’s Ranch Pony Camp and to see our 2013 dates, please visit our website by clicking HERE or call 816-761-1234 to get your Pony Camp Gift Certificate! 

Happy Trails,

~Your Friends at Faulkner's

PS - Don't forget about our Indoor Pony Parties!

Perfect for those kiddos with a winter birthday!

2011 Holiday Party Trends

The holiday party season has come and gone.
Needless to say, we had an absolute blast celebrating with everyone who chose to party it up at Faulkner's Ranch!
We noticed a few big trends this year that definitely caught our eye.

Here are some of our favorite ones that we wanted to share with you!

The Party Bus

On the outside it may look like a normal school bus...

But on the inside it is a total party!!!

Companies that care about their peeps go the extra mile and provide a safe ride to and from the party.  Plus, it gets the party going before you even arrive!

Photo Booths

Are you looking for an affordable and unique party favor or entertainment idea for your guests? 

A photo booth is the perfect solution and a great way to keep your guests entertained all night.

Photo booths not only draw a crowd, generate excitement, and inspire contagious laughter, but they also allow your guests to go home with a unique keepsake to remember just how much fun they had at Faulkner's Ranch. 

White Elephant Christmas

White Elephant Christmas was super popular this year at our holiday parties.

How do you play White Elephant? It's easy!

In its most basic form, the gameplay is as follows: Each guest supplies one wrapped gift. Participants determine in what order they will take turns choosing gifts.
Some do it via Bingo, others draw numbers.

The first person opens a wrapped gift and the turn ends. The second person then chooses whether to open a wrapped gift or "steal" a previously opened gift. This is where it gets really fun! If a person has his gift stolen, he/she also has the option of choosing a wrapped gift or stealing an unwrapped one. When a wrapped gift is opened, the turn ends. When all gifts have been unwrapped, the game ends.

And you should see some of the awesome gifts that went around this year...

Who wouldn't want those?

Some Killer Dance Moves

Okay, so this isn't so much a trend but we could help but notice that our party guests had some serious dance moves this year!

We didn't capture a video of it, but here is something similar...

So those are the big holiday party trends of 2011!

We just want to say a big thanks to everyone who helped make our holiday party seasons a blast!

Wanna have a party with us next year? It's never too early to plan your event.  Many companies even book a year in advance to secure the perfect date.

Just click here for more information or give us a call at (816) 761-1234.

Keep on Partyin' Ya'll,

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Faulkner’s Ranch Holiday Parties

It’s Not Too Late To Plan
Your Holiday Party at Faulkner’s Ranch!

The holiday season finally here!  Why not treat your closest friends, employees, and associates to a memorable time at Faulkner's Ranch!

Whether you are entertaining employees and guests or hosting a family holiday event, planning your festivities with our skilled event planners is a fun and stress-free process that takes just one phone call.

Click HERE for more information on how you can have a jolly good time at Faulkner's!

Happy Holidays Ya'll,

~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

PS  - Have a big birthday coming up? Maybe a special anniversary? Or perhaps a class reunion!  Then be sure to give us a call and ask about our special winter discounted rates and packages!

Christmas Gifts for Horse and Dog Lovers

Do you have a horse lover in your family?

What about a special pup?

Whether it's a pony or a pup, a horse or a hound,

you will be sure to find the perfect gift at Faulkner's Saddlery!

Click here to see the Holiday Specials!


Happy Shopping!


~ Your Friends at Faulkner's

Give the Gift of Pony Camp!

Having a hard time thinking of the PERFECT gift for your little cowgirl or cowboy this Christmas?

Then give them the gift of Pony Camp!

Faulkner’s Ranch Pony Camp is a week-long summer camp that teaches campers horseback riding skills, pony care, and teamwork.  Days are filled with riding lessons, ranch activities, crafts, games, and more!

Parents and siblings are even invited to attend a pony show on the final day of camp that showcases all of the campers new tricks!

All levels of experience are welcome! No prior experience is required.

For more information on Faulkner’s Ranch Pony Camp please visit our website by clicking here or call 816-761-1234 to get your Pony Camp Gift Certificate! 

Happy Trails,

~Your Friends at Faulkner's

PS - Don't forget about our Indoor Pony Parties! Perfect for those kiddos with a winter birthday!

Red Hot Apple Cider

It sure did get chilly outside this weekend!
So why not stay toasty inside with this delicious drink?

Red Hot Apple Cider is not only absolutely out-of-this-world good, but it is also ridiculously easy to make.

If you have the two ingredients and five minutes to whip up a batch, then you’ll be good to go!

Just follow the directions below to make this sweet and spicy drink that will give you that warm, fuzzy Christmas feeling with every sip.

Red Hot Apple Cider

Ingredients:

1 quart Apple Cider, homemade or store bought
1/4 cup Red Hots candies (or more depending on how spicy you want it)

Directions:

In a large sauce pan or a large tea kettle, heat cider and red hots over medium high heat, constantly stirring. Once red hots have completely dissolved, remove from heat, and serve in mugs.

If you want to make just one serving, you can put the ingredients in a mug in the microwave and heat it up until the Red Hots are melted.  Stir and enjoy!

You can even get fancy and garnish it with a cinnamon stick or place a decent amount of Red Hots in the bottom of the glass to give it the look shown above.


Do you have any winter drink recipes that you love?  Send them our way! We'd love to share them!


Have a great rest of the weekend!


~ Your Friends at Faulkner's