Growing up, birthdays in my family were always a big deal. I am not sure who enjoyed them more, us or my mom. She always got so excited helping us plan our party. My first birthday party with friends was a Raggedy Ann theme. Mom even dressed up as Raggedy Ann! Of course, there were skating parties and ice cream parties in the backyard. But my favorite was always a sleepover party. The house would have a dozen girls or more with sleeping bags scattered all over the den floor. We stayed up all night, laughing and talking. I was the only girl in the family, so my mom loved it. She had my brothers sleep over at friends’ so they would not bother us. While some parents may think a sleepover is a lot of work, they can be super easy, budget-friendly, and fun, as Christina Katz shares in Save Time, Money & Even Sanity By Hosting A Sleepover Party!
Like my mom, I also love celebrating birthdays and love a themed party. To me, a theme helps get the ball rolling. As time got closer to my girls’ birthdays, I could not wait to start planning. We had a lot of fun crafting decor and choosing activities to coordinate with the theme. Some ideas were hits, while others were misses. For the 80s dance-themed party, we used neon splatter, painted black bulletin board paper for the walls, and black lights and glow sticks. For the Webkinz party (remember Webkinz?), we crafted a Wheel of Wow, a gem hunt, and a wishing well. Both of those go into the hits category. However, the “Barbie in a Bubble Bath” cake, as seen on Pinterest, was a complete “fail,” sending me to the store at the last minute. And making leather name bracelets that I thought everyone would think were super cool for the ‘70s sleepover; my daughter was right; nobody thought they were cool. This proved once again that I am not nearly as cool as I think I am. Fortunately, my daughter planned other crafts.
Some families prefer to avoid having the clean-up at home and opt for a party on locations at a fun venue. But, if you are good with the mess and your party guests love a mess, then you should check out Christina Katz’s feature, A Festive Mess: 17 Creative Birthday Activities For An Unforgettable Party. The great part about Katz’s ideas is they are not just for parties. Some of these activities would make for some great summer family fun!
It does not matter if you are an at-home party person or prefer the ease of partying at a venue; you are sure to find plenty of resources for your next celebration in the annual Birthday Party Resource Guide. This directory includes places to have parties, order cakes, secure rentals, hire entertainment, and more valuable information to help you get ready for all of your special events. Make sure you tuck this issue in a convenient place. That way, you have it year-round as you plan all of your celebrations!
We can’t close out the annual birthday issue without recognizing an important birthday this month: the birth of our great nation. I want to thank all of the men and women in service who work to keep our country the land of the free and home of the brave. God bless the USA!
From my family to yours, Happy Celebrating!
Author: Lynn Knighton
Lynn has called the Gulf area home since 2006 with her husband Brad and their 3 daughters. Following the sale of her Abrakadoodle franchise, Lynn still wanted to serve families and help them thrive. Becoming the Publisher of Greater Pensacola Parents was the perfect opportunity. Now she invests into family's lives each month by providing the area's #1 go-to resource for moms and dads.
