COST: Under $20
AGE: Girls ages 5-10
RECOMMENDED # OF GUESTS 4-8
At my daughters last birthday she was very much into dressing up. I would
hear her and her friends talking in British accents and pretending to be
royalty, they had so much fun we designed a birthday party for her around
the theme. It was huge success, here's how:
INVITATIONS: When sending your invitations, encourage all party participants
to come dressed in fancy play dress-up clothes for the party. A creative way
to deliver the invitation would be to put it in a charming yet inexpensive
thrift store teacup. Or attach it to a strand of dress-up beads.
EARLY PREPARATIONS: The night before the party make a variety of
hour-D'oevres and arrange on silver serving trays. We offered Deviled Eggs,
Pineapple or Cheese spread on celery sticks, tiny smoked sausages, finger
sandwiches cut into shapes and raspberry sherbet with ginger ale made a
fluffy drink.
SET THE STAGE: Arrange to have the party at a public garden or park for the
best scrapbook moment. A neighbors deck provides an unusual setting too.
Weather didn't cooperate with us and our dining room worked just as well
with the right props. Decorate with lots of candles, layered tablecloths
(layering sheets is a frugal alternative) with sparkly confetti sprinkled on
the table. If the girls don't want to wear the boa's they make a fun center
piece too. This is the time to get out grandma's china, silver or crystal.
If you have a small group of girls and keep the ambience formal, even young
girls will be on their best behavior when using the nice place settings.
Choose soft classical music for the background. Remember the mood you set is
what makes this party work!
FASHION FROLICKING: Have a room for party goers to meet in as they are
showing up, this would be a good time play a gathering game, to make a
take-home craft, fix each others hair or put on their play make-up. We
decided to paint on plastic steam wear and goblets to drink out of later at
the tea party. Then we let the girls have several minutes of privacy for
unsupervised primping and showing off their new attire. Be prepared with
extra boas, hats, kid gloves, beads and baubles if some girls don't come
dressed appropriately for high tea!
TEA TIME: Dress up the birthday girls Father, Grandfather or significant
other male figure in a tuxedo or suit. Drape a clean white towel over his
arm. (This step is the most important part of the fun, please don't skip
this part, use bribes if you have too) Daddy's job is to announce the girls
as they arrive and escort them to the table one by one on his arm and seat
them. My dear husband spoke in a British accent the entire party. He always
referred to the girls as Madame or My Lady and waited on them hand and foot.
While they were eating he would stand erect next to our daughter and inquire
formally if she and her friends would care for anything else. At one lull in
the girls Tea-Talk, my husband addressed the lady of the table as to the
whereabouts of the prince and would he be joining them? Without missing a
beat my daughter carried on the conversational act to the delight of her
friends!
About the Author
Author Rachel Webb is a mother of 4 and a freelance writer.
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