Birthday party ideas ... need input!

[Jenifer]

Need input from all of you moms and dads who plan birthday parties for your kids.

My question is: What would a birthday party planning book have to contain (in terms of information, pictures, ideas, etc.) to motivate you to buy it?

I am working on a book (yet to be titled) on how to throw inexpensive-yet-awesome birthday parties, and I want to know what parents think are missing from other birthday party idea books out there.

Also, tell me how much you would be willing to spend on such a book — $10, $15, $20?

I will deeply appreciate your input. I decided I need to talk to some parents about their needs before I put this bad boy together and pitch it to a publisher.

Thanks!
Jenifer, mom to Joy Daisy

[Jackie]

I would suggest at the end...plenty of web links...and would include good photos...and not forget the old fashioned cake and ice cream in the back yard party with pin the tale on the donkey.

IMHO 4 and 5 yr olds are NOT imporessed by a double decker bus coming to take them somewhere like Burger King for an over priced party...or standing in line to ride the pony or the elephant in the cul de sac.

I think early on parties are much more fun if kept simple and small...but...then maybe my kids wouldn't agree...LOL. I figure for most kids its all about counting the "loot" afterwards...anyhow. ;D

We had a swimming pool so that solved a lot of our events.

One of the best though was Emily's 6th bday when Marnie who was then in a children's theatre mime troup...made them all up as mimes and took them through some warm up mime exercises...really fun...and I took pics to send as thank you notes since Em was not really into writing them herself.

Jackie

[Jenifer]

Thank you, Jackie, for your input. Simplicity is going to be the focus of the party ideas I include. I am 100% for scaling down these over-the-top parties so many parents are throwing (and spending a fortune on) and instead going back to the parties I remember from my childhood where we gathered at home and created our own fun.

In the past couple of years, Joy has been invited to birthday parties at a pumpkin patch, an aquatic center, a gymnastics studio, a pottery painting studio, and several at those places with the giant inflatables. And I'm not talking a party of five or six kids — her entire class of 24 kids gets invited to these events. I estimate parents are spending upwards of $250-$300 when all is said and done.

This book will go back to the basics of creating simple, fun parties that use imagination and ingenuity rather than all the fun money can buy. So I appreciate your reinforcement that simple can be better and quality usually reigns over quantity.

That being said, if anyone in UnoLand has favorite party memories from their own childhoods ... games you loved ... favorite recipes ... please let me know. I want to include input (and possibly quotes) from parents.

Jenifer, mom to Joy Daisy.

[Jackie]

On my list of fun parties that my kids had...were "make your own ice cream sundaes"...with plenty of sprinkles and spray on whipped cream...LOL

Also slumber parties with make your own pizza out of tortillas...went over well.

And a several time favorite was a home made GUM cake...vs expensive store bought. It was simply a chocolate layer cake and was decorated around the sides ...with whole pkgs of stick gum standing upright and stuck to the icing of the cake...sort of like a cog wheel. Mix the colors and do something fun with the top and you have a cake and party favor all in one if everyone takes home one or more pkgs of gum.

You can also do "at home" beauty parties with pre teens...don't have to go to one of those mall places. Just keep a watch out for clearance makeup and nail polishes...then set up a home spa/salon. Also if you have a friend who does makeovers...they will sometimes come and help.

I think kids still like old fashioned picnics in a park since that seems to be something few of us do these days...

I think boys are harder...but if you have friends with younger kids...just borrow all their tunnels, bouncers..etc and fill up your back yard with it all and bet you dont see them cept for opening of presents and the ice cream and cake...LOL.

When I was growing up the most exciting parties were my roller skating rink ones...mainly cuz of the large guest list and the piles of presents that came with it!...I remember having to take them HOME to finish opening them...LOL. Those must not have been 'break the bank' parties cuz many of us had them.

And of course...being an artist...I love parties like "make your own crowns" and "paint a real painting"...things like that. Katie has had several of these for Hayden at home. Jordan however is more expensive with things that teens like...paintball..etc.

And it's really too back that times have changed and we are afraid to let kids out of our sight because probably the most fun parties were the ones where we had a BIGGER AND BETTER hunt. For those who don't know...this is where each team gets a small item...like a toothpick...and has to go door to door asking for something either a little bit bigger or a little bit better. You have an hour or longer to keep trading up. It is amazing what people return with!!!!!!

Jackie

[adnegron]

I would include some pages on how to make simple invitations at home, maybe have a few samples. Also fun and easy party favors.

[Haleysmom]

I had a party for Haley kind of arts/crafts. I had multiple tables, foam door thingies, foam frames - glitter, glitter glue, and other foam to decorate. and I loved doing SandArt. I am not artistic in the craft sort of way, but even I can make sandart!!!!

[Kristin]

I love the make and take craft ideas! I'd also like to see old fashioned silly games...like dress up in old adult sized clothes and run to the other end of the yard and dress your partner...a relay!

[Renee']

I had a party and let the kids decorate sugar cookies to eat and take home. I also had each child at the party take a photo with Lauren. I had them developed and mailed them with the thank you card.

I would love to see more game ideas. Also some inexpensive ideas for party bags.

[Chris too]

We always have a pinata. You could include instructions for making one since the ones you buy are 25-50 bucks - without the candy.

I always like the idea of having something to keep little hands busy while other guests are arriving - decorating their own goody bag (from cheap paper bags) is one great way to do that.

Include websites from which you can order themed supplies & encourage them to order way early. And show them how to make their own - print up pics off the 'net to glue onto posters, banners, and stickers.