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Posts Tagged ‘birthday party’

Themed parties are always so much fun. Everyone gets into the spirit when there’s one cohesive décor and everything works together. Before you select a theme for your child’s birthday party, read a few friendly suggestions.

• Let your child guide the theme. If they love Hershey bars, who’s to say they can’t have a Hershey chocolate themed party including a Hershey's candy bar cake? Even if you had your heart set on Strawberry Shortcake, your little lady may want baseball or soccer as her theme. Your child will love her or his party if it goes along with their tastes and likes. Put your own suggestions to bed and let your child decide (within reason).

• Suggest some ideas for your child to select from. If you know your child loves fish, ask if she wants a Nemo birthday party, a Mermaid birthday party, or a SpongeBob birthday party. She may surprise you and want a Starfish party, but guiding her along will help her to visualize what she sees as the perfect event.

• Don’t go crazy with the theme. If your son loves monkeys, go with a jungle theme and include monkeys. Don’t feel you have to have a monkey on every napkin, cup and surface that isn’t nailed down. Suggest the theme with a monkey cake, some stuffed jungle animals and maybe some cake plates that feature monkeys.

• Where you have the party will also have an impact on the theme. If you’re already having it at a kids’ place or themed restaurant, you don’t need to add much more. Maybe select a color for the plates and cups and napkins if you’re bringing them. Otherwise, just let the venue provide their normal birthday party fare and don’t step in.

• Small children have no idea what a theme is. If you’ve got one under three, they probably won’t know the difference between a Star Wars party and a Lego party. You can do either and make him happy. It’s having family and friends around—and lots of cake—that matter at the younger ages.

• Before planning a theme party for a tween or teen, ask them specifically what they want. There’s nothing more embarrassing to a young person than having a theme that’s too kiddie-like. Don’t have a Tweety birthday party for a 13 year old. Cars in general for a boy or flowers for a girl should work just fine. If they happen to love a character like Hello Kitty and are still happy to show it, then by all means, have a Hello Kitty party.

• Don’t make kids come in costume to match your theme. They may not want to get dressed up, depending on how old they are. You can suggest to any moms that you are having a themed party and if they want to dress up, it will add to the fun. Or, give out cowboy hats for a Western party or masks for a Super Hero party. Limit the dressing up to a simple item that you provide.

• No matter how good your theme is, the party needs a specific start and end time. Never leave a birthday party time open on the invitation. Writing “3:00 till ??” can mean you’ll have people there well through dinner time.

Planning a birthday party should be fun. If you’re getting mired down in details and feeling stressed, stick to a checklist so you’ll feel confident you’ve gotten everything done that you needed to. Keep it where you can see it and check things off. The act of crossing items off your list will make you feel hopeful and excited for the party.

Depending on the age group of the guests, you may need to start early. If you’re throwing a 50^th birthday party, you’ll need more time than if you’re planning a child’s fifth birthday party.

One or two months before the party

Decide on a date

Decide where you will have the party

Start creating a guest list (you can always add to it later)

Find a theme you like

Think about what kind of food you’re going to serve and call a few caterers for prices

Get your paper goods and invitations

Three weeks to one month before the party

Send out invitations

Pick a bakery to make your cake

Decide on a DJ or band if you’re having one

Decide on centerpieces for tables

Select your caterer and decide on the final menu

Buy favors if you’re going to have them

Arrange for who will get the guest of honor to the party if it’s a surprise

If kids will be at an adult party, hire a babysitter

One week before the party

Have all chairs and tables on order

Call any guests who haven’t responded

Confirm any reservations you have made for the venue, food, etc.

Wrap your gift for the guest of honor

Choose your attire for the party

Confirm your babysitter

The day before the party and the day of

Within the last 24 hours before the party starts:

Pick up any balloons

Pick up the cake or have it delivered

Set up an area where the guest of honor will open birthday gifts

Have tables and chairs delivered

Be sure linens are ironed

Set up buffet stations if you’re having them

Clean up any areas of your house that guests will see

Take out all the supplies you bought like cups, napkins, etc.

Decorate the party space

Assemble any birthday baskets and place them on the tables

Make sure you have enough ice on hand

Confirm that food is set for delivery

Tie balloons to your mailbox so guests can find your house

There’s a lot that goes into the planning of the party, but you can throw a party that looks effortless when you are organized. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Most people are happy to help out with assembling favors, running out to pick things up for you, getting the birthday boy or girl there, and more. Your aim is to have a fun party, so be sure that you have time to relax and get yourself dressed. Don’t work right up until the last minute and let guests catch you before you’ve even showered.

Your party will flow smoothly once you have checked everything off your list. There’s nothing to do once the list is completed but to grab a drink and start mingling. The more the hostess enjoys herself, the more everyone else does, too.

Need more help with your planning? Here are a few more ideas:

Over The Hill Birthday Party Ideas - Milestone Birthdays

Kids' Birthday Party Game Ideas

Spongebob is loved by young and old alike!  If you have a fan of Spongebob in your house, considering throwing a Spongebob Squarepants themed birthday party. You can tie the theme into the party favors and even kids birthday gifts.

Below are some fun ideas and activities to ensure a great time for everyone!

Jelly Fish Keep Away: Don't get stung! To make the jelly fish ahead of time, inflate several red and purple balloons then attach a few stands of yarn or streamers to hang down. When it's time to play, toss several of the balloons towards the children. Play music while they tap the balloons back and forth to each other. When the music stops the players who are holding balloons, have been stung. They sit out for one round, but can play again the next round.
TIP: Don't put too many balloons into play, or too many kids will be out.

Mr. Crabs Race: In a large open area (such as the yard) mark start and end points for the race. Kids must get in "crab" position (walking on hands and feet with stomach up). Race individually, or relay style for large groups. Kids "crab walk" feet first to the end point, then backwards, or hands first, to the start point.

Krabby Pattie Relay Race: Divide the kids equally into teams. Before the party, mark a start and finish line for each team. Place a small bucket or other plastic container at each teams' finish line.  Supply each team with one pair of oven mitts, a spatula (flipper) and a bag of hamburger buns - one for each player. The object of the game is to be the first team to successfully carry all of their burger buns to the bucket while wearing the mitts and carrying the bun with the spatula. (You can use bean bags in replace of actual buns.)

SpongeBob Sponge Toss Have a Sponge Toss with wet sponges. On a hot day the kids will really enjoy this activity. Provide a bucket of cold water and large sponges for the kids to toss and catch!

Spongebob Painting Use rectangle kitchen sponges and paint to sponge paint.
Children 5 and up can make Spongebob pictures with yellow paint, brown construction paper, google eyes, glue etc. placed on blue paper. Try one yourself before the party. You may want to pre-cut the pants and accessories.

Bikini Bottom Bubble Painting You'll need bubble solution, blue and green food color, white paper, bubble blowing wands. Add a few drops of food color into the bubble solution containers. Give each child a piece of white paper. Gently blow bubbles towards or onto the white paper. When the bubbles pop, they leave a really cool design on the paper. After the bubble solution dries you may want to add Spongebob character stickers to the paper to create your own Bikini Bottom scene. (Cover your work area to prevent stains!)