Could it be that the more birthdays you have, the less exciting they get? Of course, the alternative to having a birthday is not at all attractive. So as we get more 'mature' we can look back on the best birthdays we've ever had, and share the excitement with the little ones. After all, they're always ready to celebrate and have a party, especially if it's their birthday. Birthdays are cake and confetti, punch and parfaits, and maybe balloons, music, magicians and clowns.
What do you need to do to make a two hour party into the perfect break between one year and the next? First, the right attitude; a party attitude. Second, a bit of creativity, especially if cash is short, then creativity must be abundant. Third, a plan that won't soon be forgotten by the guests, or the birthday boy or girl.
You can start the party out right by serving magic punch. It's fun for kids of all ages. Simply use gingerale, or Sprite in clear plastic cups, with ice cubes made of dramatically coloured juice. Favourites include grape juice, or cranberry or raspberry juice. If you use specially shaped ice cube trays, you can add some extra fun.
One fun idea is to have a backward party. Write the invitations backward, so they must be held up to a mirror to be read. You might include a note to wear shirts and hats backward for the actual party.
Here are some tips to make this party a success. Set the table with backward names on the place cards, the chairs facing out instead of in. Hang balloons upside down from the ceiling. Lay the streamers on the floor. Greet your guests with "Thanks for everything . . . goodbye!" as the arrive. Play pin the donkey on the tail!
Expect gifts to come wrapped inside out, cards wrapped around envelopes, and make the rule that the gifts must be opened before the cards. If you're making a video tape, plan to show it in reverse, that will carry out the theme.
Another great activity might be to gather old phones, clock radios, etc, that you were thinking of tossing out, and pass out some safe tools. Allow the kids to take them apart, opposite of putting them together.
One other great game that can be played is silent chairs. The kids move around the chairs until the music starts. If you want to keep things interesting, have the birthday boy or girl guess what's in the gift before he/she opens it by playing twenty questions.
A great treat to serve would be upside down cupcakes. Upside down on a plate, with candles stuck in through the bottom of the wrapper. Careful making those upside down ice cream cones, and upside down sundaes could be hazardous to your carpet.
If you want to send an incredible thank you note, tack it onto the end of your video and have it duplicated. Send it to the kids who attended and the raves will come in again, long after the party is cleaned up, or is messed up in reverse.
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