AA Gifts & Baskets Idea Blog

Archive for May, 2011

Your little superhero can leap block buildings in a single bound, is faster than a 2 ½ mile per hour speeding ride-on, stronger than flimsy plastic toys, and messier than ten normal children.  The life of a superhero is never dull – especially for his parents.  If your birthday boy has enough energy for the entire Justice League and a love for all things superhero, then why not give him a party that even Clark Kent would change into his blue tights for?  Here are some ideas for making a superhero birthday party as fantastic as all your child’s favorite characters.

Holy birthday party, Batman, it’s time to get going!  The first step in planning the party is to talk with your child about what he (or she!) would like.  Does he like a particular superhero, like Superman or Wolverine, or does he just like the overall idea of powerful beings with superhuman powers?  This will guide your planning, decorations, menu, activities, birthday gifts and cake decisions.

If your child has a particular hero in mind, the first step is to find invitations.  You can go on sites like Bonanza.com and find invitations featuring your child’s favorite characters.  You can have personalized invitations, which include your child’s name and age, party date and time, location, and RSVP phone number, printed.  These cost about $1.25 each, so they would be ideal for smaller parties.  You can always find fill-in-the-blank style invitations at party supply stores.  You can also find free, printable templates online.

A superhero party demands super decorations.  You can buy party supplies for a specific hero or a more general theme, or you could go with a less expensive option.  Instead of buying a ready-made party pack, focus your decorations around the colors that distinguish the superhero.  Superman, for instance, is bold blue, red, and gold.  Batman is dramatic black and yellow.  Buy streamers and balloons in these colors, and mix in a few character-themed Mylar balloons, which can double as party favors.

Don’t forget the bad guys.  Find pictures of the superheroes’ arch enemies online and print them as Wanted posters.

You can add to the festive atmosphere by buying a few yards of fabric in your superhero’s trademark color (red or blue always work for a generic hero).  You can cut these to size, get some clothespins, and have the kids make their own capes.  Get some construction paper or paper plates, yarn, and markers, and have them make their masks.  This helps with the ambiance as well as giving the children an activity.

Train your future superheroes with an obstacle course.  Include a play tunnel or large cardboard box with the bottom cut out for them to crawl through, painted cereal boxes to be buildings for them to leap over, a chalk or tape line as a tightrope, hula hoops as windows to be jumped into or out of, and whatever other child-friendly obstacles you can think of.  At the end, have a stuffed buddy that needs rescuing.

For the menu, freeze colored juice or water with food coloring in ice cube trays.  Serve a clear drink, like Sprite or water, and let the kids pick their own colored cubes.  You can tell them that the cubes give them superpowers.  You don’t have to plan a special menu, but make the food you do have more heroic.  Sandwiches, for instance, can be cut into bat shapes.  Cookies can be cut into diamond-shaped Superman emblems and decorated with icing or edible markers.

At last, it’s time for the cake.  You can have a baker create a superhero cake with a mold or on a sheet cake with icing, or you could tackle the project yourself.  Bake a regular sheet cake.  When it is completely cool, carve it into a diamond shape and then ice.  With some colored icing, you have a great Superman insignia.  You could also decorate a cake in superhero red, white, and blue, and buy an inexpensive package of superhero cake toppers or figurines.  The kids will love it, and it is an easy and inexpensive option for you.

A super time will be had by all when you create a superhero-themed birthday party.

More Birthday Party Ideas:

• Littlest Pet Shop Birthday Party Theme
• Thomas The Train Birthday Party Theme
• Disney Princess Birthday Party Theme
• Elmo Birthday Party Theme

It used to be that birthday parties were simple. Mom would bake a cake and a few kids would gather at the child’s home to ride bikes or play outside. Today’s birthday parties hardly resemble the good old days. Today’s kids expect to have their party at an arcade, a bowling alley, a themed restaurant with play land, or a skating rink. What can you do if an elaborate off-site party is not in the budget for your family? You can host it at home!

A party that you host at home can be even more fun than one where you pay several dollars per head. You get to control the atmosphere, the noise level, the food, the games, the birthday gifts and more. Everyone has a good time and it didn’t cost you a week’s salary.

Depending on how old your child is, she may not even notice a difference between her party’s location (your home) and her friend Brittany’s party (Chuck E. Cheese’s). If you are blessed with small children, you will find that they love a party anytime anywhere. So, hosting at home is not a big issue.

If you have a tween who still wants a birthday party but fears it won’t be cool enough if it’s held at home, have a nice conversation about it. Sit your child down and say that you would like to give him the option of having a birthday party at home or taking one friend out to dinner with you.  He will feel he has had a choice in his own birthday. And either way, it will cost you less than a big party on location somewhere.

Realize that you control the guest list. You don’t have to have the entire fourth grade at your house for the party. Limit the number of guests to an amount you can reasonably handle. If you say it’s six kids and no more, then you will feel comfortable when party day arrives.

Make everything that you can. That includes the cake, cupcakes, dips, homemade pizza, and more. You don’t have to have a Thanksgiving feast. A small number of finger foods and a cake is enough. If you are going light, be sure to write on the invitation “snacks and cake” so moms know to feed their children before they come. Nothing is worse than a hungry toddler who cries through the whole party.

Save on the fancy decorations. If SpongeBob is on your child’s wish list, use yellow napkins, a yellow sheet as a table cover, yellow plastic forks and yellow cups. Then, bring in one or two SpongeBob balloons. Your child will feel like it’s a SpongeBob party if the theme is there somehow.

As far as birthday party favors, think homemade. Give out bags of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Or, raid the dollar store and go with age appropriate small trinkets. If you feel even that’s going to put you over budget, go without favors.

Splurge to make the best cake possible and get some good ice cream to go with it. That’s what everyone will remember anyway. And teach your child that it’s not about how much money you spend, but whether or not you are with friends and family and having fun. Other moms may breathe a sigh of relief that they no longer have to keep up with the Joneses either. Set the standard for the inexpensive, but fun, party and you will see others follow suit.

A few other things you can do is to make decorations out of things you already have in your home. Use candy and sequins as a festive addition to the main table. Children’s toys like stuffed bears can be placed around the room to give a cohesive teddy bear theme. Dolls work well, too.

Instead of feeling like you have to entertain everyone with games and elaborate prizes, let kids be kids. Let them run around or play Pin the Tail on the Donkey or Twister. Skip the prizes or go with small trinkets or stickers or home made lollipops.

More on Kids Parties:

• Cheap Kids Birthday Party Ideas
• 50 Best Games For Kids
• 5 Step Birthday Party Planning for Kids
• Summer Fun Recipes for Kids

When a birthday party invitation for a little boy comes in your mailbox, what can you show up with that will really wow him? While every little boy is an individual, most will love at least one of the birthday gifts on the list below. Happy gift buying!

Blocks

There’s not a little boy around who dislikes building with blocks. Today’s blocks come with bristles, magnets, stripes, and more. Just be sure to purchase a set that’s age appropriate. Many sets have small pieces, so steer clear of those if the child is really young or has a younger sibling. But definitely go for colorful and cheerful. Many sets now are made of plastic with a character inside the block. These are so much fun for little hands to explore. You might offer to stay and build with your little man too, as an extra treat.

Building Materials

There are some really fun building materials on the market now that require no sharp tools but that kids can use to actually build something. These can be found online under “building kits kids” or a similar search term. You can also ask at a toy store near you for construction materials that don’t require any adult tools. These amazing strips of “wood” are really a synthetic material that can be cut with a blunt edge. Kids can nail them together with the “nails” provided. They can build ships, houses and more. When he’s all done, the little builder can take his creation apart and use the materials again. Just check the age group listed on the package before purchasing these kids birthday gifts.

Remote Controlled Cars

Anything that’s remote controlled will be a hit with little boys. Today’s RC cars and trucks are chubby and the remote is easy for little hands to use. They can really direct the car without frustration as these younger kid-friendly models have simple buttons. Look for rechargeable batteries to include with the gift so mom and dad don’t have to run to the store every time the batteries drain out from overuse. Kids love to use toys that really go. Your gift will surely be a big hit at the birthday party.

Lego Action

If you have a very young little boy, stay away from tiny Lego sets. Leave those to the bigger boys. But Lego makes sets designed for little fingers that are a bit thicker and more substantial. Kids can imagine and build to their heart’s content with a Lego set or two. You might just inspire the next budding architect or inventor.

Little boys have different personalities. So ask around the family before choosing a gift. If you find that you would rather give cash so mom can help the little guy pick out his favorite new toy, be sure to wrap it up in a fun way. There’s nothing more disappointing to a little boy than opening an envelope. Attach a small toy to the envelope and offer to go with him to pick out what he wants if that’s the route you choose to go.

It can be so much fun shopping for little boys. You will be amazed at the selection available and will want to spend hours in the aisles marveling over all the fun new toys that have come on the market since you last looked.

More on Birthday Gifts:

• Birthday Gift Ideas For The Person Who Has Everything
• Cheap Kids Birthday Party Ideas
• Birthday Gift Ideas for Little Girls
• Birthday Gift Ideas for Little Boys
• Baby's First Birthday Gift Ideas

The next time you want to relax and have a little spa time, or want to create a unique spa basket for a friend, you can create your own spa products. It’s much cheaper than going to a spa and you’ll know that you’re going chemical-free. Invite some friends over to make the products with you and then you can all have a relaxing spa night.

Cucumber Eye Gel

Courtesy of Spaindex.com

Ingredients:

• 1/4 large cucumber
• 1 ounce aloe vera gel

Puree the cucumber in a blender (leave a little pulp), strain the mixture into a glass bowl until you have at least 2 ounces. Spoon in just a tad of the pulp from the strainer). Add the aloe vera to the cucumber puree in the bowl and mix lightly. Pour into a clean, sterilized container. After cleansing face, stir mixture gently and apply with a cotton ball to under eye area.  Avoid the eyeball. The shelf life of this product is very limited by the fresh cucumber. It should be used within a few days, and kept refrigerated between uses.

Watermelon Toner

Courtesy of Spindex.com

• 2 Tablespoons fresh watermelon juice
• 1 Tablespoon vodka
• 2 Tablespoons witch hazel
• 2 Tablespoons distilled water

Strain the watermelon juice to get rid of seeds and fruit pieces.  Combine all ingredients in small bowl and stir well. Pour into clean containers with tight-fitting lids. To use: pour a small amount on a clean cotton pad and apply to face. Store in fridge between uses to retain freshness.  Will keep approximately one week.

Chocolate Facial Mask

Courtesy of spaindex.com

This creamy mask is an excellent moisturizer, leaving your skin baby soft. Recommended for normal skin.

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp. heavy cream
• 2 tsp. cottage cheese
• ¼ cup honey
• 3 tsp. oatmeal

Mix all ingredients together (a bullet blender is ideal) and smooth onto face. Relax for 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

SpaIndex.com Tip:  You've heard the adage "Never cook with wine you wouldn't drink."  This holds equally true for home spa remedies.  Never use ingredients for your home spa treatments that you wouldn't want to eat.  Your skin, the largest organ on your body, breathes and is porous. It will absorb the properties of the ingredients you are using.  Don't "clean out the fridge or pantry" to create your home skincare remedies.  Use fresh, high quality ingredients for the best results, and do not store the treatment longer than the shelf life of the most perishable ingredient.

Apple-Pear Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Courtesy of Spaindex.com

• 1 tsp apple juice
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 2 T buttermilk
• 1 T rosemary leaves
• 3 seedless grapes
• 1/4 pear
• 2 egg whites

Blend all ingredients in a blender on medium speed for 30 seconds. Using a cotton ball, dab mixture on areas around the eyes and wherever wrinkles have developed. Let dry, then rinse with warm water. Use no more than 3 times a week. Follow with a moisturizer. Cover and refrigerate immediately.  Shelf life: 4 days.

Try these skin care products that you make in your own kitchen and you may never again go back to store-bought products. The results will be fresh, natural, supple -looking skin that’s been pampered by nature, not harmful chemicals. And plus, its fun to get messy in the kitchen brewing up concoctions.

More Spa Articles:

• Make your own relaxing Spa Bath products
• Do It Yourself Home Spa Treatments
• Aromatherapy for Sound Body and Mind
• National Spa Week!