With dozens of sleepover party themes to choose from including Magical Unicorn, Girl Power, Mermaid Magic, Paris Dreams, Superheroes, Game Time, and more – this February, in celebration of Black History Month, Glory Parties have been a really hot theme at My Sleepover Party, which provides an unforgettable luxury glamping sleepover party experience in the comfort of your own home that boys and girls of all ages can enjoy. These luxury designer-themed parties include gorgeous lighted individual sleeping teepee-style tents that come complete with air mattresses, sheets, blankets, decorative pillows, and gorgeous decor. Based off the books Glory: Magical Visions of Black Beauty by photographers Kahran and Regis Bethencourt and The Me I Choose to Be, by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley with art by photographers Kahran and Regis Bethencourt, Glory parties are designed to inspire, honor, and embrace the beauty of black heritage and culture.
My Sleepover Party, a Black-owned New Jersey-based slumber party rental company for those looking to host their dream sleepover party in the New Jersey and NYC area, is the brainchild of Jenay Guillford, of Teaneck, NJ and Brandi Lilly McLean, of West Orange, NJ. It was inspired by their daughters, Laila Guillford, 10 and India McLean, 11, who are the co-creators and driving forces behind My Sleepover Party. The women, Jenay, an attorney, and Brandi, who owns a bedding line, were inspired to start the company by the simple wish to make their own kids’ sleepover party dreams come true.
“When I set out to plan a sleepover party for Laila, I couldn’t find anyone to call,” says Jenay. “I wanted to make the party really special with personalized tents, a theme and many accessories. I spent a lot of time shopping and scouring the internet to find what I was looking for. I reached out to my cousin, Brandi who sources and develops products professionally and we worked together for months on this insane DIY project. It was a resounding success. Following the party, parents began asking me where I got the decorations and tents and we realized there was a need for curated sleepover parties. Brandi and I worked so well together and our daughters were at the perfect age to be involved – thus, My Sleepover Party was born.”
While all of the themes have been big hits with families, and families can suggest their own themes as well, the women, who personally design much of the bedding, pillows and décor used for the parties, wanted to do something really special for Black History Month and came up with the idea of creating a Glory Party theme around the books.
“These Glory events are carefully curated parties where guests embark on an experience and pay homage to a storied past,” says Brandi. “They also celebrate the glory of the here and now, and the future. At the heart of the parties is a recognition and celebration of the versatility and innate beauty of black hair and black beauty. The parties showcase the power and beauty of celebrating oneself.”
Party guests can come wearing stunning colorful costumes and jewelry, or can layer on these elements as part of the party experience. A stylized photo shoot with hair and makeup is another part of the celebration. Other activities include beautiful canvas painting activities celebrating natural hair, cupcake decorating, games and more.
The decorations include colorful canvas sleepover tents, which are adorned with personalized name signs, fairy lights and themed garlands of gorgeous balloons in stunning shades of purple, black and gold. The luxury cushioned pillows boast crowns, and powerful phrases and images of black culture. Propped up on the pretty sequined, jewel toned, and metallic pillows, with a backdrop of themed sheets and blankets, guests enjoy personal breakfast trays resplendent with lanterns, bejeweled travel cups, sleep masks, gifts and more. Hosts are also offered countless resources such as suggestions for activities, crafts, games, and party favors such as the Glory Book, party bags, sleep masks, and bracelets, as well as party invites, food ideas and more to enhance the theme. In addition, all sleepover packages including the teepee-style tents are available for rent or sale.
“We are here to help you pull off the party of a lifetime,” says Jenay. “Each package comes with the free added support of our expert team – and countless resources including custom-designed blankets, pillows, decorations, and other party suppliers to get the kids, tweens or teens into their wonderlands.”
“Let us help you create your perfect party and save you hours of time with our carefully selected recommendations to enhance your party theme,” says Brandi.
To book a Glory Party or other themed sleepover party event, please call 973-913-5008.