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CHAPTER EIGHT
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PARTY IDEAS FROM YOUR FRIENDS AND MINE


Can you even begin to imagine the number of birthday parties
that have been held throughout the years? I think "infinity" comes
close. People can be so incredibly creative! I couldn't leave you
without sharing the dynamite ideas that have come to me from
friends and acquaintances from Hawaii to Australia (and back
again!).

* * *

One woman's daughter and friends each had era costumed
American Girl dolls, so they planned a party accordingly. Each
guest brought and dressed like their American Girl doll. This old
fashioned party was a hit! The girls posed with their dolls for
pictures. (Using a sepia lens on their camera would've given the
pictures an antiqued look!)

* * *

A mother of four, and veteran of over 36 at-home birthday
parties recalls a particular favorite. When her son turned three,
they installed a built-in sand box. After filling the box with new
sand, they buried polished stones, trinkets and coins over the
surface. The kids had a blast "panning" for treasures with small
sifters!

* * *

Although unusual, I'm told this was a hit! One woman took a
brand new plastic flower pot, ran it through her dishwasher, and
then began her fantasy. She filled the pot to within two inches of
the top with chocolate pudding. The next inch was chocolate
cookies, crumbled to look like dirt! She inserted clean, plastic
flowers into the "soil" and hung gummy worms all over the pot!
What will they think of next?

* * *

A mother of two celebrates each child's half-birthday as well!
She bakes "half" a cake and serves half glasses of punch!

* * *

An absolutely charming party was centered around beloved
stuffed animals. Each guest was invited to bring their own
favorite stuffed animal friend whose place of honor was reserved at
the head of each place setting. Naturally, each animal was given
miniature versions of matching party hats and ribbon streamer
necklaces. Additional stuffed animals decorated the room. They
were everywhere - from lofty perches atop china cabinets to cozy
groups lounging together in a rocking chair.

* * *

Cure the Summertime Blues with an Unbirthday Party! Each
child brings an inexpensive gift (say in the $3-$5 range) for
anonymous swapping. If, for example, you have a Barbie doll theme,
each child could bring a Barbie outfit or accessory. Everybody
wins - because everyone gets a present!

* * *

Every child dreams of having a pony at their party. We were
lucky to know someone with a pony who pulled a little cart behind
him! This eased our concerns about little ones falling from
saddles. They walked the pony once around the block for each pair
of kids they took. (Call stables in your area for referrals.)

* * *

A seven year old friend says her favorite time at a birthday
party was when they got to bob for . . . not apples, but pickles!

* * *

Another busy mother with five children couldn't find time
between soccer games to schedule a "normal" birthday party so she
invited the kids to a Breakfast Party! All the kids helped make
colored pancakes, and added nuts, raisins, and chocolate chips as
desired. And a nice stack with candles inserted became the
birthday cake!

* * *

It's so hard to give a true surprise party, especially when
kids are involved. Little slips like "I'll see you tonight!" are
hard to prevent. My sister solved this by giving a DOUBLE surprise
party - even the kids didn't know about it! She made prior
arrangements with all the moms and picked up sleeping bags &
overnight bags when the kids were in school. Luckily, the girls
involved were all rehearsing for a school talent show so my sister
was able to get them all together in her car afterwards. Their
faces were all lit up when they got to her house and found it
decorated for a sleep-over birthday party!

My sister passes along this word of warning from one who's
been there: don't over-plan activities, especially when pre-teen
girls are involved. They have the most fun just being together,
giggling & carrying on!

* * *

Our little boy just loves magic! So, in addition to hiring a
local magician to entertain, we decorated with that theme. Our
centerpiece was a stuffed animal bunny sitting inside a decorated
top hat. We cut star shaped place mats from shiny silver poster
board and made sparkle magic wands for each child. Just cut 1/4
dowels into 12" lengths (smooth ends with sandpaper). Spray paint
black (or silver/gold) and roll in glitter while still wet!

* * *

We decided on a Beauty and the Beast party for my five year
old who wanted both boys and girls at her birthday party. The boys
came made up as "beasts" and the girls as "beauties." Toward the
end of the party, we played a version of Duck, Duck, Goose that
magically, one-by-one, turned the boys into young gentlemen!


* * * * * * * * * * * *



This is definitely one of my favorite chapters! The party
ideas poured in from friends and acquaintances everywhere (and
still are)! The above is just a sampling of creative ideas from
the Registered Version of CREATIVE PARTIES FOR KIDS!


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