One Direction - Putting You in the Know

The ins and outs of your teenager’s favourite band

Here at Party Tracker, where most of us are in our late 30s and early 40s, we always thought that One Direction was just a traffic sign. We’re glad to say we’re now a more enlightened bunch.
 
When we recently got hold of our fabulous new One Direction partyware, including One Direction paper plates, One Direction paper cups, napkins and table covers, and lifesize cutouts of the band members, we were eager to find out more about these handsome young men and why teenage girls are living, breathing and dreaming One Direction. Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!
 
If, like us, you didn’t tune into the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010, then you’ll probably be unaware that this English-Irish pop band came third in the competition. However, these five young men weren’t originally a group when they entered the competition. They actually came on to the show as individual contestants until it was suggested that they form a five-piece boy band. It was this decision that kept them in the competition, now in the ‘groups’ category, under Simon Cowell’s mentorship.
 
Since then, the five members of One Direction − Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson – have gone on to achieve major success. After the competition, the band members got themselves a £2 million record contract with Simon Cowell’s record label.

The band’s first single, 'What Makes You Beautiful', became the fastest-selling single of 2011 and entered the charts at number one in both the UK and Ireland. You may remember the band performing this same song at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In March 2012, One Direction released its first album, Up All Night. It became the UK’s fastest-selling debut album and topped the charts in 16 countries. It also sold 500,000 digital copies in the US – the greatest number for any boy band’s first album – giving One Direction a place in the Guinness World Records. By August 2012, over 3 million copies of Up All Night had been sold worldwide.
 
The band’s second album, Take Me Home, followed in November 2012. It sold 4.4 million copies, making it the fourth best-selling album globally that year. Its lead single, 'Live While We’re Young', reached the top ten in almost every country it charted in. ‘Little Things’, the album’s second single, debuted at number one in the UK at the same time as the album, making One Direction the youngest act in British chart history to achieve this double accolade.
 
The success of the band has also brought a publishing deal with HarperCollins, with One Direction: Forever Young (Our Official X Factor Story), which topped The Sunday Times best-seller list. They were the biggest winners of the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, winning three nominations, including Best New Artist. In the same year, they received two BRIT Awards, including Best British Single with 'What Makes You Beautiful', and performed in the presence of Queen Elizabeth ll at the 2012 Royal Variety Performance. And in August 2013, the band made it to the big screen with One Direction: This Is Us, a 3D film about their rise to fame.
 
Now everyone is waiting eagerly for One Direction’s third studio album, Midnight Memories, due out on 25 November. Here’s hoping the guys knock our socks off again.

Guy Fawkes Night

Remember, remember, the fifth of November

When the first firework you light on 5 November lights up the sky, falling to earth like a shower of colourful rain, will you be remembering the man who turned this date into an annual celebration in the UK?

His name is Guy Fawkes and in 1605 he tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. However, he got caught before he managed to put his plan into action and was subsequently executed. He didn’t act alone, however. He was one of a group of 13 young men who wanted to assassinate King James I and his followers at the state opening of Parliament.

When Guy Fawkes was discovered, so were 36 barrels of gunpowder. These were stacked in the cellar directly below where the king would have been sitting. As to the huge quantity of gunpowder, Guy Fawkes explained it was needed ‘to blow you Scotch beggars back to your own native mountains!’ The irony, however, is that the gunpowder was believed to have actually decayed. So, if it had been lit, it may not have even exploded. But, of course, we’ll never know for certain because Guy Fawkes and the other conspirators got caught before trying to ignite the powder.

To commemorate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, as it has become known, people have been lighting bonfires for almost 420 years. The practice started on the night of 5 November 1605 to celebrate the safety of King James I. By the 19^th century, effigies of Guy Fawkes started being placed on bonfires. And today the tradition continues with the addition of fireworks, to remind us of the gunpowder that Guy Fawkes hid in the cellar of Parliament.

But one questions remains. When you do set light to that first firework on Bonfire Night, will you be celebrating Guy Fawkes' execution or honouring his attempt to do away with the government?

If you're looking to enhance your Bonfire Night celebration, why not get in some sparklers? They're sure to add to the fun at any fireworks party. And it won't just be the children who love 'em! 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Make your mark during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer charities throughout the UK are organising a range of events this month (October) to promote awareness about the condition and to encourage the public to help them raise money to support essential services and fund vital research for the 55,000* people who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Care will also be marking Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day on 13 October, to recognise the needs and experiences of people living with secondary breast cancer. This occurs when the breast cancer cells spread from the first tumour in the breast to another part of the body. It cannot be cured, although it can be treated and controlled − sometimes for years.

If you’d like to take part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there’s a host of activities that you can get involved in.

How about organising a fun pink activity at your work, school or home on any Friday in October with the help of Breast Cancer Care’s Pink Fridays fundraising kit. To receive yours, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/fundraising-events/events/pink-fridays-2013-signup

On 19 October, join thousands of other women in Breast Cancer Care’s 5k or 10k run in the beautiful surroundings of Richmond Park. For more information, contact the Breast Cancer Care Press team on 020 7960 3463 or email press@breastcancercare.org.uk

Cancer Research UK is also offering lots of interesting fundraising ideas to help you beat cancer. Asking for donations to keep your lips sealed for a day could prove very lucrative if you’re something of a chatterbox, while agreeing to shave off your hair could have everyone reaching into their pockets. But if you don’t fancy getting rid of your locks, why not rid yourself of the clutter in your home? Auctioning off items you don’t need any more could bring in a pretty penny for this good cause and give you the extra living space you’ve been craving.

And if you don’t have the time or energy to organise a bake sale at work or climb a mountain for sponsorship, don’t worry! Just empty your pockets and donate loose change every night for a month. You’ll be amazed at how much you can collect in just a few weeks. Good luck!

*Figures taken from www.breastcancercare.org.uk/news/media-centre/breast-cancer-awareness-month-press-pack/breast-cancer-facts-stats

Halloween costumes

Ghoulish or glamorous? How will you dress this Halloween?

With Halloween fast approaching (Thursday 31 October), it's time to start thinking about what you'll be wearing to scare your family and friends. Although it's traditional to wear a spooky costume for your Halloween party or to go trick or treating, anything goes. Most costumes are modelled around the original themes of zombies, vampires, ghosts and monsters. But nowadays people are choosing to be unique, dressing up as everything from a cartoon character to a celebrity. 

If you're planning on terrifying the neighbourhood, consider becoming a witch or Frankenstein. But if you fancy reinventing yourself with a touch more glamour, consider a princess costume or become a Greek god. Whatever look you go for, you'll be sure to make a big impression this Halloween. 

What will your 'little monsters' be wearing?

If you're thinking of taking the little ones trick or treating this year or are hosting a Halloween party for all their friends, then you'll want them to look the part. Witches are an obvious choice for the girls, but if they want to stand out from the crowd, there's a whole host of looks to choose from, ranging from viking girls to gothic vampires. And there is no shortage of costumes for boys either. Choose from Captain Hook or Captain America, Harry Potter or the Hulk - and your little ones are guaranteed to be a Halloween hit. 

Halloween traditions

Trick-or-treating

It's the evening of Thursday 31 October. The time is about 5pm. The doorbell rings. You go to answer it, wondering who it might be. And there, standing on your doorstep, is your first visitor of the evening - the Halloween trick-or-treater.

They come in all shapes and sizes - from the cute little girl in her fancy dress witch's costume, accompanied by mum, to the group of cheeky teenagers who, having found a monster mask or two between them, think they'll try their luck. And they're all after one thing of course - a treat in the form of chocolates, sweets, cakes, biscuits or even money.

Bat trick or treat bag: Ideal for collecting your goodies in

You'll hear them ask: 'Trick or treat?' and it's up to you whether you oblige them or take the forfeit. If you're happy to have them call, make sure you have a few wrapped chocolates to hand over, some mini packs of sweets, or a few coins if you haven't managed to get to the shops. Of course, you can always take the easy option and simply not answer the door. But where's the fun in that? The trick may be an idle threat, but who wants to run the risk of a mischievous prank being done on you or your home?

In embracing trick-or-treating, you’ll be following a Halloween tradition that’s practised in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Republic of Ireland, Puerto Rico and Mexico. In Mexico, it’s known as calaverita (Spanish for little skull) and the children ask in Spanish: ‘Can you give me my little skull?’ which is a skull made of sugar or chocolate.

The practice dates back to 1895 where, in Scotland, on Halloween night, children disguised in costumes and carrying lanterns made out of scooped-out turnips, went from door to door asking for cakes, fruit and money. However, it was not until the 1980s that the term ‘trick or treat’ became more common in the UK, although it was first used in the United States in 1934.

So, whether you’re planning to welcome trick or treaters to your door or will be trick-or-treating yourself this year, make sure you take care. Be sensible about who you open the door to. Similarly, visit neighbours who are happy to have callers. You’ll know them from the lit-up pumpkins in their windows and the Halloween hanging decorations that adorn their homes.

Halloween celebrations

Top tips to make your Halloween party a huge hit

If you're planning a Halloween party, it's now time to start making preparations so that you'll be ready for the big day. Here are a few ideas to get you started in the run-up to your celebrations.

Costumes

As host of your Halloween party, you'll need to look the part. There is a whole range of fancy dress costumes to choose from - and for every member of the family. Girls can take their pick from a midnight spirit to a spider queen, while boys can be anything from a skeleton to the screecher. For women, become a devil or a demon for the evening, and watch the men transform themselves into Freddy Krueger or a crazy clown. But, if it's just accessories that you're after, there are no shortages of those available. A long black wig or a satin witch's hat will be sure to turn heads.

Decorations

Whether you're holding a Halloween party at home or in a hall, you'll certainly want to create the right atmosphere - and you'll be amazed at how a few decorations can transform a room. A well-placed black furry rat and a few plastic spiders, scattered here and there, will undoubtedly scare your guests - especially the arachnaphobes. Or, raise a smile or two with  a couple of hanging demons and a neon blinking skeleton.

Party food

You may be surprised at the number of recipes available with a Halloween theme. If you're planning on dishing up a meal, why not boil up a pumpkin soup, rustle up a goulash (ghoul-lash, get it?) or create a spiderweb-inspired pizza. A pumpkin risotto will always go down well, as will devilled chicken. And for dessert, how about a pumpkin pie, Halloween cupcakes or skull-shaped biscuits? Serve your culinary delights on the Mozaik plastic tableware range and everyone will be suitably impressed.

Entertainment

It wouldn't be a Halloween celebration without a few party games to get everyone in the right spirit - and there's something for everyone, whatever their age. For the little ones, bobbing for apples is always fun. Just fill a large pool or bucket with water and apples and get your younger guests to pick them out without using their hands. To make it more of a challenge, tie their hands behind their backs or use a blindfold. Filling a jar with candy corns or Halloween sweets - and getting the children to guess how many there are - is another way to keep them entertained. The child who guesses closest, gets to take the jar home with them.

As for the adults, there are countless games to keep them amused. When your guests arrive, tape a piece of paper to their back with a Halloween movie character written on it. Then encourage them to find out who they are by asking questions to the other partygoers. The first to guess their identity receives a prize. After a few drinks, your friends and family will be sure to find Mummy Wrap a good laugh. Just get your guests into pairs and have one from each pair wrap the other in toilet roll, spinning them as they go. The first person to get fully covered is the winner. And if you're guests are up for even more fun, a Halloween movie and trivia quiz or a dance contest with Halloween-themed music will get everyone mingling and in the party spirit.

So now you have a few ideas to get your Halloween celebration preparations underway, what will you be doing on Thursday 31 October?

Wear it pink - Friday 25 October 2013

Think pink!

Wear it pink, Breast Cancer Campaign’s fundraising event, is making its annual return on Friday 25 October. The event calls on everyone to dress up in pink to raise money to fund research that will save women’s lives.

Anyone can take part – from school children to seniors. All you have to do is wear something pink or do something pink on Friday 25 October or any other day this month − and donate £2 to Breast Cancer Campaign. You can paint your nails pink, wear a pink accessory or eat something pink. Be as creative and as original as your imagination allows.

If you’re looking to hold your own fundraising wear it pink event, there are loads of ideas to choose from. Hold a pink-themed fancy dress competition with a prize for the pinkest costume at your school. Organise a bake-off at work, with pink-coloured cakes and treats, and then sell or raffle them off. Or host a pink dinner party or pamper evening at home. Anything goes!

Whatever you raise, be it £20 or £200, will help Breast Cancer Campaign support more people affected by breast cancer. To receive your free fundraising pack, visit www.wearitpink.org/register. And to find out about all the ways you can get involved, go to www.wearitpink.org/get-involved

If you’re looking for a pink accessory or a fancy dress costume, you'll be amazed at what's on offer. Choose from a pink glitter cowboy hat or pink pop wig, or go the whole hog and wear a pink fairy costume or become a pink musketeer for the day. But don't feel left out if you're a bloke. You're sure to make people go gaga in a men's pink baby costume.