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Posts Tagged ‘birthday party’

Theme Thursday: “This is Your Life” Party!

Posted by Katie on June 03, 2010 in Theme Thursday

heroThere are tons of party ideas out there that are fun and unique ways to celebrate a birthday, but it’s harder to find a theme that truly celebrates the life of the honored guest.

So today I’m passing along a great idea for an adult birthday party! It’s called the “This is Your Life” party and I have stretcher.com to thank!

This Is Your Life
Instead of having an “over the hill” party, I suggest having a “this is your life party.”

Along with the invitation ask your guests to return a questionnaire in which you have asked some variation of the following:

1.     My favorite thing about Fred (use guest of honors name) is ______________.
2.     The funniest thing I ever saw Fred do was when he _________________.
3.     The happiest I ever saw Fred was when he____________________.
4.     The dumbest thing I ever saw Fred do was____________________.
5.     Fred drives me crazy when he _______________.
6.     My most memorable moment with Fred was ____________________.
7.     List five words that describe Fred.

You may to make up your own questions or add to these. You may also want to ask the party guests to share a favorite photo of or story about the guest of honor. The hardest part is deciding how to share this information with guests. You may want to have them put these answers on video, have a slide show, have the party guests read the stories or quips out loud, or invite several special people to tell their stories. If you feel awkward acting as an MC, then ask a good friend or minister to do it for you. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time for planning.

The best part of a party like this is that everyone can participate – children, grandchildren, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, old friends, new friends and spouses. You can also put the answers, stories, and photos in a scrapbook for the guest of honor to keep.

You will have some laughs and you may even shed a tear or two, because memories are a truly special gift which make getting older worth it.

Theme Thursday: Airplane Party!

Posted by Katie on May 27, 2010 in Theme Thursday

Happy Thursday, everyone! I just found a great addition to our weekly Theme Thursday posts – airplane party!

I never thought about it before (thanks to the good people at momswhothink.com who did) but an airplane party is a great way to help you little one celebrate his/her big day!

Check it out!

Airplane Party Theme – The Airport:

Use any toy airplanes you already own as table toppers, or group them together to form a centerpiece. If you have a toy airport, you can use that as well.

Make large paper airplanes, and hang them from the ceiling. To make clouds tie together eight white balloons and hanging them from the ceiling as well.

Make a baggage claim sign for the closet or gift table.

Make airport signs that say ‘Passengers only,’ ‘This way to baggage claim’, ‘Customs’, and ‘Crew only.’

Make a banner that says ‘Welcome to (your child’s name) Airport,’ and hang it on the front door.

Airplane Party Theme – In flight food service (chicken or beef?):

Hold silverware together with paper luggage tags.

Make airplane shaped place cards for the table.

Fill baskets with mini bags of treats like peanuts, pretzels and trail mix.

Make airplane shaped sandwiches by using an airplane shaped cookie cutter to cut them out.

Make edible airplanes. Cut a banana in half lengthwise. Place one half; cut side up, on a plate. Spread with peanut butter. Place a whole graham cracker in place for each wing, and use a quarter rectangle for the horizontal part of the tail. Put the other banana half on top. Cut a slit at the tail end of the top half, and put a rudder piece in place to finish the tail. Stick on raisin windows with little dollops of peanut butter.

To make an airplane runway cake, bake a 9” x 13” cake. Frost all but the very top corner of the cake with white frosting. Tint the remaining frosting sky blue, and use it to frost the top corner. Make a runway across the cake using crushed chocolate cookies, or chocolate sprinkles. Use green sugar on either side to make the grass. Put a toy airplane on the runway. Use whipped cream to make clouds on the sky blue portion of the cake. Place another toy airplane on the clouds.

Instead of a cake, you can make cupcakes, and frost them with icing you’ve tinted sky blue. Put a new, clean toy airplane on each.

Tip Tuesday: Throw an Inexpensive Kid’s Birthday Party!

Posted by Katie on May 25, 2010 in Tip Tuesday

children-birthday-partyThrowing an amazing birthday party can be expensive – but it doesn’t have to be!

You can throw a great party without spending a fortune (and let’s be honest, we could all use a little extra cash these days)!

Check out stretcher.com for all the useful advice!

Inexpensive Kid’s Birthday Party: Guest List

Begin by counting the number of kids that are likely to attend. Many of your expenses will be priced ‘per child’ so you’ll need an idea of how many kids will be celebrating with Susie. When you’re counting noses, don’t forget to include ‘paybacks’ (where your child has attended their party). You may need to check your child’s school. Some have rules that say if you invite one girl from your child’s class you must invite all the girls from the class. There may also be neighbors and relatives that you’ll want to invite.

Plan for the highest number that could reasonably attend. That way all your estimates for expenses will be on the high side. You don’t need to be ridiculous, but just guess a little high. If there are three kids that are 50/50, put two in your count. That type of thing.

You’ll probably feel a little pressure to downscale the party. That’s good. It’s far better to simplify now than have the bill come in 25% higher than you planned. If you don’t like the total now you have options you can pursue. If you don’t like the bill later your choices are very limited!

Inexpensive Kid’s Birthday Party: Location

Next you’ll want to start thinking of where to hold the party. Think of places that kids like to go. Are your children interested in bowling, baseball, museums, karate or gymnastics? All these are possible sites for a party. Of course, all of them aren’t frugal. But you won’t know until you pick up the phone and ask.

When you call you’ll want to know what the charge per child is. Some places will have a minimum charge, too. Find out what’s included in the price. Are they including party favors, cake or other food and drink?

Find out if you have the option of bringing in your own food and drink. It’s a pretty sure bet that you can make a birthday cake cheaper than the price you’ll pay if it’s included in the package. In many cases is cheaper to bring the cake even if you have to buy it at the local grocery store.

For many of you the temptation will be to hold the party at your home. In some cases this WILL be the cheapest place to hold the party. But, make sure you compare costs first. Sometimes, when you add up food, drinks, cake, party favors and entertainment you could end up spending more to have it at home.

Inexpensive Kid’s Birthday Party: Entertainment

If you’re having an at home party, live entertainment may not be as expensive as you might think. By asking around you may find a stay-at-home Mom who moonlights as a clown, magician or puppeteer. Many of these part-timers are very affordable and will provide a lot of smiles per dollar spent.

Perfect entertainment for your party may be as close as your friends or family. If your brother-in-law is a fireman find out if they allow public tours. A FREE trip to the firehouse could precede a pizza party at your home and provide a unique theme party for your child.

When you have your party is also important. If you can, plan to have the party during the week after school. Most places that host kids parties are busiest on weekends. Naturally, they charge more then. You’ll get a much better rate if you can schedule your party during the week.

Inexpensive Kid’s Birthday Party: Get Creative

Try to think creatively. Last fall our daughter was heading for her eighth birthday. We didn’t want to try to compete with some of the expensive parties that she had been attending. To further complicate matters, we were remodeling our house, so an at home party wasn’t very practical.

My wife discovered a ceramics studio that gave classes. Better than that, they also held kid’s parties. For a very reasonable amount they hosted the party. Each child had their choice of unpainted ceramic items. They all selected one and painted it at the party. The ceramic became their party favor.

We were allowed to provide our own cake and drinks. The studio had an arrangement at a local pizza place for pizzas at $5 each.

The party was a hit! No one had ever had this type of party before in her crowd. The kids loved it! And the modest cost of the party was a hit with my wife and I!

Don’t let the high cost of kid’s birthday parties get you down. Worse yet, don’t let it turn you into a Scrooge. Sure there are parents who are busy playing ‘can you top this’. But like most things, a frugal mindset can solve the problem. A little planning mixed with a little research and creativity will have you singing “Happy Birthday” without leaving you frowning in the pictures you’ll take at the party!

Theme Thursday: Skateboarding Birthday!

Posted by Katie on May 13, 2010 in Theme Thursday

TonyHawk_468x481As you all heard yesterday, a new celebrity has joined the movement for more birthdays — skateboarding legend Tony Hawk!

Well, in honor of Mr. Hawk and his commitment to the movement, today’s Theme Thursday is all about skateboarding!

Thanks to kids-birthday-party-guide.com for the tips!

Invitations:

For your skateboard birthday party invitations, cut out pictures of skateboards or skates and write the party details on the back side. Punch holes in the skates and lace them up with thin red or black strings. For the skateboard, tape on Lifesaver candies for the wheels.

As a variation, get a picture of Tony Hawk and make photocopies for all the guests. Write the skating party details on the backs of the pictures and mail the invitations to the kids.

The wording of your invitations can say: “It’s (your child’s name) Skateboard Birthday Party! Strap on the skates, grab your skateboards, and head for the (your last name) rink for a rolling good time.” Then add all skateboard party details.

Remind the guests to bring their skateboards or rollerblades along with knee and elbow pads, helmets, and other skating equipment.

Decorations:

If you’re at the park, playground, or on the front sidewalk, add a few decorations to give your location a party atmosphere. For example, decorate the pavement with some sidewalk chalk, which will wash away with a hose or the next rain.

Play upbeat skateboard party music in the background. Hang posters of Tony Hawk (or other skateboarders or skaters) around the skating party area. Borrow old skates from the skating rink and set them around. Also borrow vintage skateboards from older neighborhood kids to use as props.

Hang skateboard birthday party balloons and streamers. Decorate your skateboard party table with a theme cloth. Place a skateboard for a centerpiece. Hang personalized “Happy Birthday” banner in the background.

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Tip Tuesday: Make Balloon Animals!

Posted by Katie on May 11, 2010 in General

Balloon dogThere are some things that always make a birthday party better: a killer theme, a great activity, generous goody bags, and balloon animals!

Yes, balloon animals are always an instant hit and they aren’t that difficult to assemble! Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can!

Check out the video below to learn how to make a balloon dog. Once you get the dog down, the rest of the animals are a piece of cake :)

Theme Thursday: Cheerleader Party!

Posted by Katie on April 29, 2010 in Theme Thursday

OS_105A_0968Let’s face it, there is something about little girls and cheerleading — they can’t get enough of it! And now, with the weather finally turning around (goodbye winter!), I thought many of you could benefit from some tips for throwing an amazing cheerleader-themed party! Thanks to amazingmoms.com for the help!

CHEERLEADER INVITATIONS:

Send invitations 2-3 weeks in advance. Your invited guests will know that they’re in for a fun-filled party when they receive a festive invitation. Make your own, using cardstock paper and gel pens. Cut cards in the shape of a megaphone. Use your gel pen to write on the front: “Give me a P” — “Give me an A” — “Give me an R” — “Give me a T” — “Give me a Y” “What’s it spell?” Then on the inside write, PARTY and it’s for _____ ! Show your birthday spirit and join us… (then include party details).

You can also spell the party girls name instead of PARTY. Place a small amount of tissue confetti in the envelope, or card before sealing.

Remind guests to dress comfortably and wear sneakers.

CHEERLEADER PARTY DECORATIONS:

This cheerleading party will include jumping, tumbling and other activities. First, be sure to designate a space in your home, by arranging furniture and other items. Show your school or team spirit by using a matching color scheme. Use standard decorations; streamers, balloons, confetti etc. Create a table centerpiece, using a set of cheerleading pom-poms and a weighted balloon bouquet.

Fun Options: Attach team pennants, letterman’s jackets, athletic shirts etc., to the walls and windows. For accents…if you daughter is currently a cheerleader for football or basketball team, add appropriate decorations.

It wouldn’t be a sports event, without a trip to the concessions stand! One of our creative visitors, made a concession stand using a large appliance box and then served the snacks from the stand.

Personalize your party with unique matching items; banners, thank you notes, invitations and more…personalize it here >>

As the party begins… “Ready, Set, Let’s Go! Upon arrival, help the guests put their hair in pony tails, add ribbons and special hair ties. Keep hygiene in mind, by purchasing inexpensive individual hairbrushes for each guest, from your local dollar store. Provide a light make-over, or face glitter and the girls are ready to go!

Birthday Poster While the girls are waiting for their makeover, they can fashion a special poster for the birthday girl. Provide a flat surface, large sheet of poster board with the birthday girl’s name already written, stickers, markers and /or gel pens. Encourage them to get creative by writing special birthday cheers.

A Special Guest Your guests will be enthralled when a real cheerleader or two comes to give them a demonstration and lesson. If you know a high school cheerleader hire her and a friend or two to visit your party. If you don’t know a cheerleader personally, you can ask a teenage friend if she is acquainted with a cheerleader or call your local high school squad leader.

Plan the rest of your party schedule around the special guest.

CHEERLEADING PARTY GAMES AND CRAFTS

Personalized Pennant: Guests will show their creative spirit with this fun party craft! Before the party, cut a pennant shape for each guest. We recommend using craft foam, for easy cutting and gluing. Supply craft foam sticker shapes and letters, permanent markers in bright colors, glues sticks and other decorating supplies.

Pom-Poms No cheerleader would be complete without her pom-poms!

Although pom-poms are easy to come by and inexpensive, this is a fun additional party craft you may choose to add. Because the girls will need their pom-poms for cheering…this activity should be done before the special guest arrives, or the girls make-up their own cheers.

You’ll need: sheets of colored and white tissue paper, 8 per guest, several pairs of sharp scissors, rubber bands, chenille stems, ribbon or colored tape.

First, provide 4 sheets of tissue paper for each pom-pom. Stack the sheets and lay them flat. Fold about 6 inches from the top to make the the pom-poms an appropriate length – about 14 inches long. Then fold again in the other direction, from the side, until you are left with a roll of tissue paper about 3 inches wide, by 14 inches long.

Hold one end of the tissue roll and cut strips, leaving about 3-4 inches uncut. This will be the handle. Secure the end with a rubber band. Then if you want, wrap the handle with ribbons, or colored tape.

Let’s Cheer Help the girls develop their own basic cheerleading routine to practice and perform. Add music, dance steps and maybe some pre-written cheers to help them get started. Keep the age group and abilities in mind.

Tip Tuesday: Build a Bird Feeder!

Posted by Katie on April 13, 2010 in Tip Tuesday

backyard-bird-feeder-spring-craft-photo-260-FF0507EFDA01Let’s face it, it rains a lot during the month of April! If you are throwing a birthday party for your little one this month, it’d be wise to have a few indoor activities ready — like the one I found below from familyfun.go.com! It’s easy and perfect for spring!

Materials:

  • Clean 1-liter soda bottle
  • Craft knife
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • small eye screw
  • Length of twine for hanging

Instructions:

  • Start by drawing a 1/2-inch asterisk on the side of a clean 1-liter soda bottle, about 4 inches from the bottom. Rotate the bottle 90 degrees and draw another asterisk
  • 2 inches from the bottom. Draw a 1-inch-wide circle opposite each asterisk, as shown.
  • Use a craft knife to slit the asterisk lines and cut out the circles (a parent’s job). Insert a wooden spoon handle first through each hole and then through the opposite asterisk, as shown.
  • Remove the bottle cap and twist a small eye screw into the top of it for hanging.
  • Finally, fill your feeder with birdseed, recap it, and use a length of twine to hang it from a tree.

Tip Tuesday: Adult Birthday Party Games!

Posted by Katie on April 06, 2010 in General

adult_game_nightThere are so many fun kids’ birthday party tips and ideas that I often neglect the adults! Well, today that changes!

I’ve found some great adult birthday party games on birthday.lifetips.com that I just had to share. They are a sure way to get your party off on the right foot!

Try one — or all of them — at your next birthday party!

Name of the game: If you love me
Number of players: Minimum of 6
Goal: Get the other person to crack a smile.
Why you should play: This game is hilarious.
How the game is played: The group sits around in a circle. 
One player starts by saying, “Baby, if you love me would you please smile?” 
The next player responds by saying, “Baby, I love you, but I just can’t smile.” 
Eliminate each player who smiles until you are left with the winner.

Name of the game: Famous names
Number of players: Minimum of 6
Goal: Guess the name of the famous person on your back.
Why you should play: This game helps to break the ice – fast.
How the game is played: Each guest gets a sticker on her back with the name of a famous person. 
Every player will go around the room and ask yes or no questions to figure out what the name of the famous person on her back is.

Name of the game: I never
Number of players: Minimum of 6
Goal: Find out what people have never done in their lives.
Why you should play: It’s funny. Its’ revealing.
How the game is played: All players start out with a number of tokens and sit in a circle.
 One player starts by saying, “I never…” and tells about something he’s never done before, like go fishing.
 All the remaining players who have “gone fishing” must give up a token.
 The game continues clockwise, in a circle. 
Each player who runs out of tokens, leaves the game. 
The last player who still has tokens, wins.

Tip Tuesday: Bowling Party!

Posted by Katie on March 30, 2010 in Tip Tuesday

bowling-lane-cake-recipe-photo-420-FF0304BOWLA09Spring weather can be tricky! You know what they say — “April showers bring May flowers.”

Well if you are planning a birthday party and don’t want to worry about the weather, consider a bowling party!

I went to familyfun.go.com to pick up some tips on how to throw the best bowling party possible!

THE HIGHLY HIP T-SHIRT PARTY FAVOR – Download directions and templates for making customized T-shirts using your computer and specialty printing paper.

THE FUNKY CD SLEEVE INVITATION - This snazzy invite is a cinch to make: the envelope is a paper CD sleeve, the kind with the round cellophane window (sold for about 15 cents each at office supply stores). The bowling ball is a circle (4 3/4 inches in diameter) of black card stock, addressed and decorated with a white gel pen. (Note: due to the envelope’s irregular size, you’ll have to pay slightly more postage and write your return address on the back.)

WILD AND CRAZY PARTY GAMES – Even your most dedicated bowlers love thinking outside the frame. Just watch the party’s fun level rise when the guests draw from a hat of outlandish bowling directives. Before the party, brainstorm ideas and write each on a piece of paper shaped like a bowling pin (see above).

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Bowl backward
  • Do a silly walk as you approach the lane
  • Bowl in slow motion
  • Bowl pretending that one of the boards in the lane’s wood floor is a tightrope
  • Before you bowl, predict whether you will knock over an odd or even number of pins
  • For younger kids, consider trying the following. Between the time you release the bowling ball and the time it hits the pins: speed-sing as much of a song as possible; spell out loud the birthday child’s name backward; call out as many pizza toppings/ice-cream flavors/kinds of candy as you can think of. Each bowler should then try to top the record.

Tip: Is there an arcade at your bowling alley? Then bring a big stack of quarters for your guests.

A BOWLING LANE CAKE – This clever cake will send your little bowlers into seventh-frame heaven.

Theme Thursday: Tea Party Birthday

Posted by Katie on March 25, 2010 in General

6a00d834522c5069e200e554007d248834-800wiAll across the country, flowers are slowly starting to blossom and that can only mean one thing — it’s springtime!

I love this time of year! It reminds me of my childhood and the tea parties my mother and I would have in the backyard — which got me thinking — wouldn’t a tea party make a great birthday party for your little girl?

I went to amazingmoms.com to get the scoop on how to pull it off!

Expensive tea party items are not necessary. Begin with a few paper party items for easy clean-up and add inexpensive tea cups, saucers and a pot from your local thrift shop. Decorate using creativity, rather than cash. Then, use the tea party games, decorating tips and crafts provided below, for a memorable birthday celebration!

Kit’s Party Tips:
Bear in mind the age group of your guests. If the children are very young, plastic tea ware is in order. And plan your party for no more than two hours.

TEA PARTY INVITATIONS TO YOUR BIRTHDAY
Send invitations 2-3 weeks before the party. Keep the number of guests to a minimum, 4-5 guests is a perfect number for a tea party. Ask the girls to bring a special guest (doll). Tip: Have some extras at the party for girls/moms who may forget.

GIRL’S TEA PARTY DECORATIONS
When the season cooperates, host a garden birthday tea party outdoors. If not, bring the garden indoors with imitation, or real flowers, lace and ribbons.

Fill the party area with streamers and balloons. When hosting your tea party outdoors, consider enclosing the party table with a sheer, bed canopy hanging from a tree.

Create a feminine and easy centerpiece by placing a bouquet of dainty flowers in a tea pot. Place the tea pot bouquet on a doily in the in the center of the table.

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