Eventfully Yours

Butterfly Bash

My six year old is obsessed with butterflies.  Who wouldn't be?  Butterflies are beautiful.  This lead me to the following party idea.

Set the Tone

The Social Butterfly invitation features a purple and pink watercolor butterfly.   

Decor

I absolutely adore the website, Bugs-n-Blooms.  They make the cutest butterflies that can used for decorating your bash.  They could also do double duty as favors too!

Favors

One of my all time favorite online stores is Oriental Trading, especially for children's parties.  They carry a wide variety of low cost gifts and crafts.  This Butterfly Filled Treat Bag is great when you don't have time to prowl around for things to fill your treat bags.  Added bonus: the bag is a real tote bag, meaning reuseable!

Food

How fun is this Beautiful Butterfly cake?  Guess what you can make it yourself!  Added bonus: your child can help too!  Other food ideas:  Use a butterfly shaped cookie cutter and cut pizza or sandwiches into shapes.

Entertainment

• If you fancy yourself artistic, set up a face painting table and paint what else?!  Butterflies!
• Become Butterfly hunters!  Hide butterflies around the house or outdoors and have your child and her guests find them.  To make it extra fun, give them butterfly nets, but be sure they don't catch each other!

Have you had a butterfly event?  If so, share your story or comments with us!

Slumber Party Success

I am knee deep in planning a slumber party for my own daughter next month and wanted to share some of tips for a successful slumber party that even you will enjoy.

• Get your invitations out as soon as possible.  This helps you to get a handle on how many children will be in attendance and allows you to get all your games and party favors in order.
• Be prepared.  Have your food and games ready to go when the party begins.  There is nothing worse than a bunch of little faces looking at you wondering what comes next.  You never want to hear the dreaded, "I'm bored," because once one says it, it spreads like the plague and can unravel the whole party.  Preparedness also carries over to emergencies.  Make a note of any allergies and be sure to get contact information from parents, including cell phone numbers.
• Make things age appropriate.  Know your guests and cater directly to them.  Although you may be partial to Sesame Street, a group of 10 year olds may not appreciate it so much.
• Loosen up.  Join in the fun and you'll be happy that you did.  Getting back a bit of your childhood is always a good thing!

Planning a Child's Party

Any parent worth their weight has done the unthinkable, thrown a children's party.  Ahh, the screaming, crying and sometimes fighting!  What fun!

Before undertaking your next children's party, ask yourself these questions:

• What kind of party does your child want?
• Will the party be at home, at a park, or at an ice skating rink?
• When will the party be held?
• Who will be invited?
• What foods will be served?
• What will you do for fun?
• How will you get ready?
• How will you decorate?
• How much will it cost?
• Who will clean up after the party?

Be Cost-conscious
If you're facing a tight budget, keep the party simple and at home.  Try to avoid indulging in fancy, store bought decorations or invitations.  If you have time, make them yourself and let your little one help.

Choose a Theme
A theme pulls everything together.  It also allows children to step out of everyday reality and into the world of imagination, playacting, or pure silliness, imparting a truly festive air to the party.  The best way to come up with a theme is to base it on your child's interests, activities, studies or readings.

Until next time, eventfully yours!