Nine tips from the Goddess of Birthday Parties Past

After throwing 15 kids birthday parties (my kids are 6 and 9!!), I feel qualified to speak as to what works, and what doesn't.  Let me, goddess of birthday parties past, impart some words of wisdom. 

ONE: Keep the guest list small. 

This enables you to have fewer mouths to feed, fewer crafts to plan and fewer surprises. And fewer gifts to store!

TWO: Keep the theme simple.

Our theme was black/pink/silver dance party sleepover, inspired by ... Julia's black/pink/silver leotard. What could be easier than this??  The kids were only told to wear all black and bring a sleeping bag.  What could it possibly be? 

THREE: Hire out the talent.

Hiring a local theatre assistant was key to this party! She could teach the kids a fun routine (not my skill set) while I could take 

lots of pictures and actually enjoy the party.

FOUR: Let the kids design their own costumes.

The girls were asked to wear all black and expect a surprise.  I laid out tons of fabric and glitter material and tulle and hats and boas and make up and bracelets.  It was so fun to watch each of them come up with their own ensemble and express their own creativity.

FIVE: Take lots of pictures.

This is the easy part.  Make sure to get a good combination of candids, group shots and close ups.  Kids in costumes love to be photographed.  Pass the camera around and let them photograph one another too!

SIX: Keep the food simple.

Who has time to cook dinner when you are hosting a party? For snacks, I set out a tray of non-sugary items like pretzels, fruits, veggies and nuts.  For dinner, I ordered in food from a local business.  

SEVEN: Try an alternative to birthday cake! 

Julia opted for a banana split bar. By the time the kids loaded up their bananas with ice cream, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, coconut and sprinkles I'm not sure they were any healthier than cake, but it was fun, different and inexpensive. 

EIGHT: Plan a fun craft that incorporates the photos from the party.  

We made Dance Party Posters.  This was a sleepover party, so I had plenty of time to download and print pictures.  Provide the kids were blank construction paper, scrapbooking paper, stickers and ribbon.  Let them use their imagination to make their own posters.

NINE: Just say no to goody bags.

Let their craft be the goody bag.  Their poster will be a special keepsake featuring fun photos of the night.  Trust me when I say that parents don't want goody bags in their homes.  Trust me!

Have fun! Keep it simple! Take lots of pictures!