McCormack on Motherhood

Birthdays are a special time for every child.

Whatever a child's age may be, it means so much to have this special day celebrated. Us parents always like to keep it real and change things up year to year, which means hosting the big day at home now and again.

Here are some ideas to gear up and get creative if you need to. Check out these celebration themes that can be thrown on a budget (or not) and hosted by you and in the great outdoors!

If I’m hosting this party do I really need to invite the entire class? The useful tip here is that you don’t need to invite your kids entire class especially if you are hosting this affair. One simple way to manage this number is to allow your child to invite the number of kids that corresponds with the number he/she is turning. So if the child is turning 6, then he or she can invite 6 friends from school. Another approach is to simply set a limit you are comfortable with in case it rains and the party is held inside! 

Birthday Invitations set the tone for the party. Designing and ordering your specially themed invitation online is a great way to go. Shutterfly, Kodak and Hallmark have invitation templates that customize with a photo of your child. Adorable and not expensive. Something else to keep in mind is setting a rain date on the invitation. If this bash needs to take place outside then set the rain date ahead of time so there is no scrambling for you when forecast hits that week.

Kids Birthday Party Themes for all Ages

Carnival Themed Party
Games, balloons, and bright colors -- a carnival is just like a birthday party, but better! So why not invite kids to a carnival-themed party in your backyard or at a local park? Any supplies you don't already have at home are inexpensive and easy to find. Decorate in midway colors, play old-fashioned games, and serve carnival staples: lemonade, hot dogs, popcorn, and Go nuts and rent a cotton candy machine (around $40 for the rental) or you can buy the bagged. This fun day includes everything from creating your carnival booth games and earning tickets for prizes such as  a kazoo, yo-yo, ball, lollipop, gumball, or sunglasses. You can find prizes like these in party-supply stores or in the party section of supermarkets. Convince your cousin to dress up like a clown or if your budget allows, hire one, it’ll be a huge hit! 

Find all the fun details at Marthastewart.com: Carnival Theme Party - Martha Stewart Kids  

Great Outdoors Scavenger Hunt Party
Every child loves to be a little explorer. This is a for the child that really enjoys being in the great outdoors with his/her friends. Meet at your selected hiking trail location. Mass Audubon’s StonyBook and MooseHill are fabulous locations for hiking. Kick-off the party by handing out kids Binoculars to everyone and their very own scavenger hunt map. Each child need to seek and find all of the item on the map to win a prize at the end. You can make the map and design this using images of birds, insects, leafs, etc (Click here for a sample). If you are sneaky, have some hidden treasures such as gold coins planted ahead of time for the kids to find. Wild life sanctuaries have picnic areas so check with the director before having your pizzas delivered. They will likely want to know in advance of your party but it could be great fun blowing out the candles in the great outdoors. Bug nets are great prizes along with bug tattoos!

Fancy Nancy or Princess Themed Pajama Party
This is a girlie themed party because we all know, girls just want to have fun! Invitations for this fancy affair can be be-jeweled by using sticker jewels before being delivered to the post. Decorations may include some flowers for the special Birthday Girl, balloon’s and a special area designated for the fancy dress-up party to begin. This evening can include everything from mani’s and pedi’s, make-up, dress-up, hair dos, make-your-own bracelets and dancing. Depending upon the age group, it certainly does not have to be a sleep-over, for the young girls it could be from 5-8pm or later. The older girls can end the evening with a favorite movie and popcorn in their sleeping bags. Arrive in PJ’s, make-your own sundae’s for dessert. Lastly, the grab could include a be-jeweled picture frame for her bedroom.

CowBoys and the Wild West Birthday Party
Make the Wild West come alive with a cowboy/cowgirl birthday party. Have guests dress in western attire so they can join in the fun. Invitations for this must mimic a MOST WANTED poster with your child’s face. Decorate using red and white checked table cloths on the tables and scatter several bales of hay in the yard. Use bandanas as napkins. Large plastic horses would work nicely as centerpieces for the table. Set out a few potted cactus plants. To make an authentic cowboy party it is best if you can have a campfire. If not, use an outdoor grill. You can grill hot dogs and heat up baked beans. Round out dinner with some potato chips and bottled root beer. For dessert, let kids roast marshmallows over the fire. The kids can play Cowboy games and use red and blue colored bandanas to tie up some party favors. Inside each bandana you could include: toy squirt guns, plastic cowboys and Indians, silver badges, and licorice ropes.

All the details can be found at Boys Birthday Parties online.

Lastly, it is helpful having all the details in a list! Check it out this great Birthday Party Planning checklist provided by American Party Outlet. 

One to two months before the party:

___Set the date of the birthday party
___Decide on the location and make reservations, if necessary
___Create guest list (determine size of the party)
___Set the party theme
___Decide on the type of party (sleep-over, luau, etc.) 
___Plan your activities 
___Plan your menu
___Select your party supplies

Two to three weeks before the party:

___Send your invitations (include directions)
___Order cake 
___Order flowers or balloon bouquets (if applicable)
___Purchase the party favors and game prizes
___Finalize your menu

One week before the party:

___Order or gather together the chairs, tables, dishes, utensils, etc…
___Make a final guest count. Make phone calls if necessary at this point.
___Plan for additional adult chaperones, if necessary
___Place orders for food if needed 
___Confirm reservations (if applicable)
___Buy film for camera
___Confirm your gathering place is adequately prepared
___Buy and wrap your gift for the birthday celebrity

The day before the party:

___Gift wrap any party favors, game prizes
___Review the games/activities
___Begin decorating
___Pick up the cake
___Purchase beverages/ice
___Prepare loot bags/treat sacks for guests
___Set up tables, chairs, buffet table, etc..

The Big Day!

___Prepare loot bags/treat sacks for guests
___Finish any last decorations
___Set out party supplies (cups, napkins, etc.)
___Keep a piece of paper nearby to write down the gifts received
___Keep a trashbag nearby the opening of the gifts to reduce wrapping paper mess 
___Pick up balloons today
___Set up the food on the buffet table
___Have a plan on how you will run the party
___You and the birthday celebrity greet guests at the door with a smile :-)
___Have fun as you have done everything to prepare a perfect party for the birthday celebrity!

Contact me if you have personal story or experience you'd like to share. Maybe you could be a feature some week! Email me at melissa_mccormack2@yahoo.com or