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An Assortment of Party Ideas
We've had some great parties for my son, including a carnival where we made a ticket and prize redemption booth and a popcorn and caramel popcorn booth made out of refrigerator boxes, we made about 6 games up for the kids to play to win prizes for their goody bags; a fireman party where the local fire department sent a fire truck and 2 firemen to the party and the children were allowed to spray the hoses, climb on the truck and blow the horns (I made fire trucks out of egg crates for relay races and they had hats, etc. and the firemen gave them a lot of freebies, such as pencils, coloring books, rulers); an army party with 2 real army men complete in camouflage from the local recruiting station who also gave us freebies for the goody bags, and I bought camouflage helmets, binoculars and dog tags. It was pouring rain but the men and kids were still outside playing Sergeant May I, and other games that were adapted for the occasion. The kids and parent talk about these parties for a long time and we usually have 20 to 30 kids plus parents. My son wants to start planning for his next birthday party right after his current birthday is over. I love planning the parties as much as the kids enjoy being there. - Thanks, Lynn, in Baldwin, NY

Mardi Gras
Our twin daughters see their birthday as a national holiday, so naturally we throw an extravaganza every year to celebrate. After a family friend returned from Mardi Gras, the girls decided that was to be the theme for their eighth birthday. Everything was green, purple and gold, and there was Zydeco music playing when we opened our "King Cake." We had it shipped from New Orleans and we waited until the party to open the box. This was an eagerly anticipated event. The girls expected a lavish cake fit for royalty. Imagine our surprise when we learned that the "King Cake" was nothing more than a coffee cake with a naked plastic baby baked inside. - Thanks, Joan, in Metheun, MA

Hawaiian Luau
The BEST birthday party we ever had at home was a Hawaiian Luau. We researched each guest's name online for what it would be in Hawaiian. We then labelled small beach buckets with each guest's Hawaiian name and filled the goody bucket with shells (sold in bulk at craft stores), candy, and luau themed trinkets from the party store. We provided each female guest with a grass skirt and the boys received huge straw hats (they got to take them home as favours as well). The party was themed around a blow up back yard pool and we also had a slip and slide and sprinkler set up. The food was goldfish crackers; Hawaiian pizza (ham and pineapple), fruit kabobs (grapes, pineapples, strawberries, etc.), and tropical trail mix. We played coconut bowling using a coconut as the ball and pineapples as the "pins." Afterwards we broke open the coconut so the kids could see what was inside. During the party we played luau music, which really added to the mood. It was a real hit and we plan to do a repeat in the coming years. - Thanks, Robin, in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Egyptian Party
The best party I have ever had was one with an Egyptian theme. This party was perfect for someone with a real tight budget. We traced pictures on a clear projector sheet and traced it over on cardboard making them much larger. You can often use projectors in your public library. After tracing things like encased mummies and pharaohs, camels and pyramids, I cut them out and painted them and mounted cardboard braces so they would stand like statues. I then set up different areas or "stations" like a watering hole for camels where the children drank "Nile Juice" (punch), and a station for "Pharaohs Place" where the children ate ice cream and cake while being entertained with a puppet show and later playing games It is a real eye catcher and is easy on the budget. The cardboard statues are easy to make and boys and girls alike enjoy playing the birthday Cleopatra or Pharaoh for the day. - Thanks, Vickie, in Lenoir City, Tennessee

Summer Parties
Come Summer and the Party People start grooming up for organizing "cool" Summer Parties. Although they are a great idea for family fun, summer parties are not restricted to families alone. Remember old friends, call up your relatives and make your party rock. Summer Parties need not necessarily be held on Beaches or expensive hotels and poolsides. You can have one right in your backyard.
Here are two groovy ideas for having your Summer Party:
Indoor Party:
1. Make it a "Beach" themed party.
2. Decorate your interiors based on Beach Themes and use fans, air conditioners, air coolers, etc. to keep the room breezy.
3. Move away your chairs and sofas and get some boulders (look alike cushions will do) and mats.
4. Place a couple of Beach Umbrellas if you can get hold of some.
5. Use a "Beach Scene" wallpaper on a prominent wall.
6. If a projector can be arranged, use it to project a "Live" Beach Scene on a wall.
7. Keep the dress code for the party necessarily a "Beach Theme."
8. An old surfboard will also add to the look.
9. Serve "Seafood" and lots of cool beverages.
10. As for yourself, get a special look - how about a Mermaid dress with sequined seashells? Think about it.
Outdoor Party:
A lawn, garden, a local park or even your backyard will be a lovely place to host your Summer Party outdoors.
1. Clean up whichever spot you choose, be sure to clean it up thoroughly to avoid any hazards for your guests.
2. Make proper arrangements for ample light and mosquito repellents. Lanterns can be hung on tree trunks to present a lovely sight.
3. If the party is not on a very short notice, prepare in advance. Build a garden pond. It would be the "coolest" thing to happen to your party.
4. A garden figure such as a birdbath or a small fountain will complete the picture.
5. You can set up a tent and make your party a "Camping Party". You can also have a "Campfire".
6. A game of treasure hunt with clues to the prize hidden under small rocks, flower petals, tree trunks, etc. will spice up the evening.
7. If you have a musical talent amongst your guests, be sure to arrange for a guitar or other such musical instrument or request that guest beforehand to come prepared with it.
8. A gas barbeque will be perfect for the food.
9. Use paper plates and other such disposable utensils. Place neatly painted garbage cans to dispose these.
10. If you have a swimming pool nearby, a "Moonlight Swim" will be the perfect finale to your Summer Party.
- Thanks, Lata, in Nagpur, India

Teddy Graham Party
For our daughter's 6th birthday, we had a Teddy Grahams birthday. My husband made a "swimming pool" birthday cake with icing swimsuits on the teddies, blue icing for the water and lifesaver candies for, well, lifesavers (An article in Family Circle was the inspiration). - Thanks, Carol, in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Sixties Party
The best birthday party ever was my oldest daughter's 10th birthday. She wanted a Sixties party. I rented a conference room at the local hotel. All the kids dressed in Sixties clothing; I had tie dyed shirts for the kids to have as party favours. I supplied 2 tables with permanent markers and let each one add to their shirts. We had 60's music playing in the background and a mean game of Twister in the corner. We had a table set up with a huge sandwich ring, chips, dip, soda, and of course the cake. She invited her entire class, her gymnastics group, and the school cheerleading team (that she belonged to). I figured it being October and a school night, there might be 15-20 kids. Luckily I planned ahead with the t-shirts. 57 children arrived. That was 4 years ago and the kids still talk about it. - Thanks, Lisa, in Duncan, Oklahoma

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