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Party Planning -
Birthdays -
Kid's Party Planning Ideas
Planning
a party and can't decide what to do?
We can help take the stress out of party planning with some ideas to get you started to an
unforgettable time.
Why develop a theme for a party in the first place?
Themes tend to
improve your overall event for you and your guest. A theme will
help focus attention on a main topic and provides a unifying
factor which will pull the whole event together. The use of a
theme will keep your affair from looking disjointed or like it
was planned haphazardly.
The key to pulling off a coordinated event: Evoke your theme
throughout the affair. Whether that theme is as general as a
season or a feeling, or as specific as a special character, it
should be the subtle thread that ties everything together. Your
location, invitations, flowers, menu, cake, and favors should
all cleverly reflect one common concept. Then, get as creative
as you can!
Party Slogan:
After selecting a theme for your party, choose a slogan to use
in your
Invitations and to tie in
decorations and
favors.
Invitations:
The
invitations let your guests know that they will want to be
there and join in the fun. Add some
Confetti in your cards to
spur on some anticipation for the party! Don’t forget to
encourage your guests to drag out any theme related items they
may have and wear or bring them to the party.
Make a cute invitation by using a theme related item and
attaching a note with the party details. Hand deliver the
invitations.
Imprinted Invitation provides another alternative and can be
imprinted with your personalized party slogan, along with a
image.
Party Decorations
Setting the tone for your party can be easy with some basic
decorating tips. Whether you are using a "theme" or have decided
to use a color scheme, choosing your colors is the starting
point to creating an inviting atmosphere.
Colors Scheme:
When using a
color scheme use one or two main colors and build
around these. If you choose to use only one color for your
decorating, try to add little touches of another color or a
lighter or darker shade of the same color to create a more
pleasing effect. Adding little splashes of white, black, gold or
silver will not detract from your main color choice, and the
effect will be considerably more dramatic! If you have decided
to go with a "theme" for your party use colors that relate to
that theme. When using a "theme", choose basic colors, then add
some fun props related to your theme to create a spectacular
party setting!
Table Decorations:
At some point during the planning stages of your event the
subject of linens will arise. When it does stop and think of all
the possibilities available to you. Remember the tops of the
tables provide you with a very large surface area and covering
them with a
themed
table cover is the easiest way to change the feel of a room.. It
is also the most cost effective way to decorate.
Setting a table with
themed birthday party ware, including the tablecloth,
cups, plates, napkins, and cutlery, is the fastest way to create
a focal point in a room. Start with the table cover, then create
a place setting at the table for each guest. Don't go overboard
with the theme related plates, cups, napkins and etc., adding
some solid colored items that coordinate with your theme colors
will provide you with a designer look. For example, if you are
using a theme patterned cup, use a solid color napkin or visa
versa. Remember you can use to much of a good thing.
Add a
centerpiece that coordinates with your theme.
Try one of the following ideas to liven up your table:
Unfold the
napkins, pinch each in the center of the napkin, and
place the center point in the bottom of each cup. This adds a
decorative touch while the cups are still empty.
Napkins can be laid out on a serving table, or can be displayed
at each place setting. Place napkins in the center of each place
setting at an angle.
Tie napkins with curling ribbon and place
in the center of each plate at an angle. The cutlery can also be
added before the napkin is tied with ribbon.
Order napkins and have them imprinted with your party slogan and
the design of your choice. The napkins will serve several
purposes – great decorating in disguise and a treasured memento
for the guest of honor’s scrapbook.
Personalized Banners
Greet your guests by hanging a
personalized banner
from your
front door or entrance, with a special message for the guest of
honor. If you have decided to use a theme, then use a custom
theme banner. A fabulous way to add spunk right from the get-go!
Scene Setters
Transform a room into a large scene using
scene setters. They can fill an entire wall, and better yet,
they provide guests with the most realistic setting imaginable.
They also make an excellent photo background too.
Electric party lights make beautiful decorations.
Inflatable decorations are
fun to put on the front yard before the party or
anywhere you like to create a focal point.
Specific
decorations to match children's birthday themes can be
located in the
birthday section.
Easy, Affordable Decorating!
Decorating with
balloons, is an inexpensive but powerful way to
transform your party area into a festive space in minutes. Tie
balloon bouquets to the back of a chair, mailbox or your front
door. Use balloon bouquets as centerpieces. Tie clusters of
balloons everywhere. Balloon arches & columns are ideal for
photo backdrops, entryways, and to hi-light different areas
around your party room. Scatter balloons on the floor. Make
balloon flowers or wreaths. Swag balloons across a ceiling. See
tips on decorating with balloons below for instructions.
Use a Helium Tank to fill
balloons. Tie
curling ribbon to
balloons and group them together. (Odd numbers look best: 3, 5,
or 7.) Place groupings of balloons around the party site.
Party Activities
Nothing beats an old-fashion sing-along. Try to find someone who
knows a few tunes and can play the guitar for a fun sing-along
or use a
sing-along Cd.
You could also have the guests list as many songs as then can
and give a prize to the one with the longest list!
If something a bit more active sounds like the way to go, try
some of these suggestions:
Hire a children's entertainer like a clown, magician, face
painter, & etc.
Kids of all ages love to have their faces painted! Use face
paints to liven up your child's next birthday party. It's a fun
and inexpensive activity that is sure to please all your little
party guests! Depending on your party theme, paint the child's
entire face, or simply paint on a design that complements your
theme. Some ideas? Choose stars for a celestial theme party,
skull & crossbones for a pirate party, a cat face for a Hello
Kitty theme, or rainbows for a fairy tale theme party.
Try your luck at a
Hula Hoop contest.
Take out your frustrations on a
Pinata.
Sack Races – some things you just never outgrow!
Party Game Ideas
Party Favors
Traditional loot bags filled with
treats and
sweets will always
be a big hit with partygoers. Add some
themed favors too.
Rather than
waiting until your guests are making their exit to give
them a party favor, you can give your guests favors
during the party, which will add color and fun! Favors
can do double-duty at any party, as they provide perfect
tabletop accents that can be used as decorations. Select
favors specific to your
child's birthday theme or visit our
"theme" party section, and place them on the tables, or if
you are decorating around a color theme, any of the
following would be perfect:
A favorite loot bag treat,
add
large coloring books and jumbo crayons and have some
fun.
All your little guests will love
sticker &
tattoos. Kids love having a new place to put their
stuff! Use a brightly colored boxes and have the
kids decorate a box for their sticker collections.
They will have a blast decorating it. Let them
color a picture on the box, add some glitter, or just
let them decorate their box with stickers. Allow
each child to cover their own box with whatever stickers
they want! Before the party, divide up the
stickers and place equal amounts in each box. Try to
give the children equal amounts -- they will notice. For
younger children (ages 2-4) let the children randomly
adhere the stickers. For older children, encourage them
to create designs or patterns. Keep in mind though,
there is no wrong way to adhere stickers. Be sure to
label each box so there is no confusion at the end of
the party. If you have other favors to send home,
enclose them in the decorated box.
Party Food
As the excitement is so high at children’s birthday
parties, most children under the age of 10 will eat very
little and the waste can be disheartening. Schedule your
party during a time when parents will not expect that
their children will eat a meal and serve only cake, ice
cream, and a few other munchies such as mini chocolate
chip cookies, pretzels, and grapes (cut in half for
toddlers).
Bakeries
today are turning out cakes that are gorgeous, and ever
more creative. However, many of us still prefer the
tradition of baking our own cakes to recognize special
times in the lives of those who are most important to
us. Starting with the right equipment will give you
perfect results every time. To bake any cake, or for
just about any shape you could want to bake, we
recommend that you invest in three special pans, and a
few other items. Trust us…you'll use these things over
and over again.
-
16"
round commercial grade pan – straight sides
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18" X
13" rectangle commercial grade pan – straight sides
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Wilton™
ball pan
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Flexible
metal spatulas – one with a narrow tip for small
areas, and one with a large tip to smooth frosting
on large flat areas.
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Paste
food colors
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Pastry
bag and couplers
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Cake
decorating tips – several (2-3) writing tips, and a
star tip for starters.
-
Cake
boards
All of
these items can be purchased at specialty baking stores,
and many craft supply stores now carry them.
Cake Ideas
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