How to Throw a Party at thejamjar

A super arty kids party!

We know we’re not the only ones tired of playroom birthday parties with loud music (i.e crazy feedback) and overly-hyped staff yelling into microphones. But our lovely city does come with some challenges during the very hot season when taking things indoors is an absolute necessity…

Which mama out there doesn’t want an awesome kids party that doesn’t cost the earth (and that doesn’t involve aforementioned microphone nightmare/zero daylight?!). With 2 of the Sassy kiddos turning 6 during the summer, we sought out a fun indoor option at thejamjar. For anyone on a slightly stricter budget (err, yes – we love you kids but spending billions of dirhams on a couple of crazy hours just ain’t happening) for whom entertaining at home isn’t an option and where a cool creative element is a must, the jamjar is perfect.

A spacious, bright and simply gorgeous communal art space in Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz, where you and your little ones can let your inner artists out -all props provided! Hand on heart one of the best birthday parties ever, and we’re not just saying that because it was our own…read on for how we did it!

The Venue

The great thing about this fab space is exactly that – the space. With a huge warehouse size area for plenty of painting fun, the kids are encouraged to get messy and creative! If you have a small group then the entrance area offers a smaller area for a cosy little celebration – we went all out and opted for the huge studio at the back, with oodles of space and huge windows that allow loads of natural light in. And this place is very much a blank canvas. If you want to hire a party planner and go all-out then go for it – we just picked up a bunch of colourful helium balloons and tied them to easels – simple!

thejamjar offers different party packages including canvas, paint, aprons and a creative facilitator. We definitely recommend going for a facilitator! All the kids were totally mesmerized by the lovely Chitra, who kept them miraculously focused, quiet and very busy for 90 minutes! Our chosen theme? Trees. Chitra demonstrated how the kiddos could paint their own – and then personalize with animals, leaves, blossom, various coloured skies – in thejamjar anything goes (even black scribbles – promise). She guided the kids gently but still managed to get the theme and creative ambition across, which they all took very seriously and worked hard to achieve. We still don’t know how she did it but we are eternally grateful. Plus, you get to take your own artwork home as the ultimate goodie -bag –replacement- treat (bye, bye mountains of candy and plastic toys that nobody really wants). Another great thing about thejamjar is that you get to BYOF, which means you don’t have to succumb to radioactive nuggets or freaky fries. More on that here…

The Food

A cool venue calls for super cool food – and if you’re bored of the usual deep-fried, totally uninspired options then The Lime Tree Cafe & Kitchen is the place to call! Not only is this home-grown Dubai brand one of our fave places to stop for a coffee (and a choccie brownie) but their party dishes and bespoke menus are just the thing for any celebration. Let Lime Tree know your theme and venue and they’ll create something to match – our painting party called for bright colours and gorgeous looking treats so that’s exactly what we got. Perfect. And the best bit? Lime Tree’s philosophy is all about using the best fresh, unprocessed, whole ingredients – organic where possible and without yukky pre-mixes or artificial flavours – woohoo!

First up, the cake (because what’s a birthday without one of those?). From chocolate fudge to that legendary carrot cake, Lime Tree does them all and they are seriously delicious! With 2 birthday boys came 2 different requests – one chocolate, one vanilla – which the Lime Tree team decorated with frosted cream cheese icing and colourful jellies and we then decorated with paint brushes – boom!

And for all the other party nibbles? Lime Tree conjured up an awesome menu that included mini baked potatoes filled with cheddar cheese and sweetcorn, crumbed chicken bites with a honey bbq sauce, mini cheese burgers with homemade tomato sauce, mini beef sausage rolls and the cutest little pinwheel and scaled down club-sandwiches.

Sweet treats including chocolate crackles, mini cakes with colourful icing and fresh fruit sticks followed – oh and big people were catered for to – and while we watched our littles creating their masterpieces we tucked into Mediterranean roasted veggie mini quiches, coronation chicken sandwiches and bite-sized carrot cakes. Got allergies or food intolerances to cater for? Not a problem – Lime Tree have a range of the most amazing gluten free options and can come up with other solutions too.

Everything arrived looking beautiful and was set-up and then cleared away by a team of super-smiley Lime Tree peeps so all we had to do was share out a few leftovers.

2 Hours later and our little party goers were piling out of the door, canvas creations in hand and tummies full. To sum things up, we were jammin’, jammin’, jammin’ at thejamjar and we think you’d love jammin’ too….

Our friends at Lime Tree are offering 10% off all Lime Tree catering orders that are placed from the 21st August and prior to end of business on the 15th November.

Terms and Conditions:
Anyone who mentions the code word “Sassy” can receive 10% off their order if booked before 15th November 2016.
The booking can be made for any time or date as long as the payment is made by close of business on the 15th of November 2016.
One person can utilize this offer on no more than two separate catering orders. The discount is valid on catering food & beverage only.
It is not valid

–  On delivery, equipment or staff hire.
–  Within the cafes, or on retail items.
–  With any other promotion or offer. 
Existing catering terms and conditions apply.

thejamjar

Unit H74, Alserkal Avenue,Al Quoz 3, Dubai
Tel: + (971) 04 341 73 03
www.thejamjardubai.com

The Lime Tree Cafe & Kitchen 

Kids party food packages available for groups of 10 – 15 or 15 – 30 – prices available on request.

Tel: + (971) 04 325 6325
www.thelimetreecafe.com