They measure about 5cm across but it is easy to make them larger by simply enlarging the patterns, either by measuring and drawing it on a piece of paper or by enlarging it on a photocopier machine.

To make the boxes you [...]]]>

These little boxes are perfect to use as party favours for a girl’s birthday party.

They measure about 5cm across but it is easy to make them larger by simply enlarging the patterns, either by measuring and drawing it on a piece of paper or by enlarging it on a photocopier machine.

To make the boxes you will need the following:

- Medium-weight cardboard

- A hobby knife

- Craft glue

- Plain-coloured paper

- Contrasting gift wrap (optional)

A piece of ribbon, (optional)

Do this:

Draw patterns for base and lid on to cardboard. Score along dotted lines and cut along solid lines.

Bend sides of base up, glue flaps inside. Cut a strip of gift wrap 32cm (approx 12.8 in)  x 5cm (2 in).

Glue gift wrap to sides, leaving an extension at top and bottom. Slit extensions at corners, fold and glue down underneath and inside box.

Cut a piece of gift wrap 2cm larger around lid. Glue lid to this paper, slit at corners, fold extensions under, glue down.

Cut a piece of gift wrap 4,5cm (1,8) x 5cm (2 in), attach lid to base with this strip (see Diagram).

Line box and lid with gift wrap or plain-coloured paper.  A piece of contrasting paper may be glued around edge of lid to decorate. Attach ribbon to front of lid if desired.

Click on the diagram to open in a new window, right-click and save to your computer.

Fill the boxes with small soaps, a dainty handkerchief, lip gloss, bracelets, hair accessories or small trinkets that will suit the theme of the party and the age of the girls.

What would you put into these little boxes? 

On the other hand, the small guests enjoyed it thoroughly.

There was a [...]]]>

My granddaughter went to a kid’s birthday party and although I do appreciate the fact that the mother of the birthday child is working long hours, I really feel that she could have gone to a little more trouble with her child’s birthday party…

On the other hand, the small guests enjoyed it thoroughly.

There was a birthday cake, nothing fancy or outrageous, just a normal frosted cake with some decorations and candles of course.

The mother bought candy from a wholesaler that stocks candies in all shapes and sizes and not normally found in ordinary grocery stores. She also purchased small packet of crisps from this wholesaler as well as small, inexpensive items that she used for party favours.

I was actually quite impressed with the small guitar shaped bottles filled with bubble mixture that my granddaugter brought home.

A small carton of fruit juice was added to the favour box, and that was  the sum total of the party snacks.

The kids had a wonderful time in the inflatable swimming pool, jumping for hours on the trampoline and playing and talking to each other.

The party also kept on for an hour or more than the time stated on the invitation cards.

This set me to wondering if we do not sometimes go overboard when we plan a theme party for our child. Should we not try to cut back on expenses especially in these tough economic times when it can be  difficult to give your child a party that really incorporates all the elements of his/her favourite TV character, superstar/hero or just to keep up with the Joneses.

I know and understand that you want to do the best you can for your child’s birthday party and to make it a special day for him or her. However, do we not also unwittingly teach our children to expect theme parties that have to get bigger and better each year?

Would it not be more beneficial for them if we teach them to enjoy their parties even if there is not all the things kids automatically expect these days when they have a birthday party.

A party can still be fun even if it does not have a specific theme. It should be planned with love and should be fun even if it does not have all the elements of a fully fledged theme party.

What do you think? Should we really go all out when planning our kids birthday parties or can we get away with a more simple party but still have lots of fun in planning the party?

Whether you are celebrating the first birthday of your child or planning a wonderful theme party for your kid’s 16th birthday, I hope you will be able to come up [...]]]>

Another New Year has dawned and there are birthday parties to be planned but I first have to say Happy New Year to all of you!

Whether you are celebrating the first birthday of your child or planning a wonderful theme party for your kid’s 16th birthday, I hope you will be able to come up with super ideas to make this day an unforgettable experience for your child.

As I have mentioned a few times, coming up with ideas for party favours can be quite a daunting task sometimes.

When you plan a theme party for your child’s birthday, you should always include him or her in the planning and preparations as much as possible.

Making friendship bracelets to hand out as party favours will not only include your child in the preparations but teach him/her the value of hand-made gifts and of giving and sharing something of him/herself with the party guests and close friends.

Depending on the age of your child, friendship bracelets can be as simple as a toddler using silver or gold pipe cleaners to thread coloured beads or a teenager planning a more intricate design.

Friendship bracelets need not be expensive, all you really need are a few beads and some shirring elastic for a really quick and easy friendship bracelet.

Beads come in all shapes and sizes these days and I personally like the small square ones with initials. It can lend a special touch to a friendship bracelet if you and your child use these to make a bracelet.

Making friendship bracelets can also double up as a party activity and then you won’t have to worry about finding something to give as a party favour.

Have fun planning your kid’s theme party!

1. They will play games and/or be entertained.

2. They will eat birthday cake and other snacks

3. They will see their presents get opened.

But they also know that when they leave the party, they will receive a favour or goody [...]]]>

Every child knows that when they go to their friend’s birthday parties, certain ritualistic events will occur.

1. They will play games and/or be entertained.

2. They will eat birthday cake and other snacks

3. They will see their presents get opened.

But they also know that when they leave the party, they will receive a favour or goody bag. The favour bag is usually considered the best part of a birthday theme party because it is something that they get to take home. Almost like their reward for attending their friend’s birthday theme party.

Don’t think you can just throw a couple of pieces of candy in a bag and hand them out as the children are leaving. The birthday child is usually judged by how cool their favour bags are. If the favour bags are exceptional, kids will look forward to the next themed birthday party.

Today’s kids are quite more sophisticated in their choice of favour bag items.  They often try to outdo each other when their respective parties roll around – take care or they will really press you to come up with expensive items for their favour bags. It can become more difficult each year to try and come up with ideas for party favours. Why not try  some fun new ideas that will leave them with something to remember and will make them feel good about attending your kid’s theme party.

Since most kids like to vent their creativity through a variety of art projects, it might be a good idea to provide white t-shirts and fabric paint for them, so that they can create their own masterpieces and have a lasting remembrance of the party, as well. This doubles as an activity and a party favour, making it ideal for kids who aren’t terribly young. Even in the case of those who are under the kindergarten age, similar projects can be done using fingerpaints that are designed for fabric.

Another arts and crafts idea involves purchasing wooden cut-out letters – using the first letter of each child’s name who’s attending the party. With these, a bit of glue and lots of decorative accessories, the kids can decorate their own initial with glitter, sequins, foam shapes, stickers, and any other bauble that you might find at the local craft store. If you prefer not to risk the mess of gluing decorations, then you can buy self-adhesive decorator items. They’re a bit pricier, but will eliminate the worry of clean-up.

Prior to the party, purchase enough small picture frames to give one to each of the party guests who attend. During the festivities, take a series of photos, making sure to include each child – and be sure that they’re instant photos, so that they don’t have to be taken out and developed – super easy with today’s digital cameras, a computer and your own printer. Let them decorate the frames themselves while you print out the photos – just before the party ends, hand over the respective photos so that they can put it in their decorated frames.

For those who still like the idea of sending a favour bag home with the children, you can make it a bit more interesting by allowing them to make their own goodies to go inside. For instance, using lollipop molds and the necessary ingredients, you can instruct the children to make their own pops early in the party, so that they’ll be ready to go when they leave. Other types of candy can also be made and taken with them, offering a fun activity during the party and a tasty treat afterward.

To make the lollipops extra special, print out some colourful butterflies, flowers or images that will suit the theme of the party. Cut two small slits in the picture and push the lollipop through. (See picture…)

Once you let your imagination go, you can come up with great ideas for favour bags for your kid’s theme party – you can either make the items yourself before the party, and choose to include it in the activities once the party is under way. In most cases, the party guests will have fun as well as have something to take home.

Have fun planning your kid’s theme party!