The Mac RAK

BIRTHDAY PARTY FUN TO REMEMBER -  We like to Party!  And after you learn a few of these tips . . . you will too!

1.  May I have your autograph?  Take a recent picture of the birthday kid and place it on a mat (or pictured right just a piece of posterboard).  Then, have all your party guests sign the picture with a special birthday greeting for your birthday star.  Then frame it and put it in your child's room for that extra special reminder that they are loved!

2.  Cake Decorating 101.  One memory my children will always have, is that, Mom always took the time to make their cake.  Yes, it takes a bit of planning and a bit of baking (which I am certainly not that fond of) . . . but the return of the smiles and precious memories is worth that tiny bit of carpel-tunnel that follows  the hour after cake decorating.  Most cakes I have made for birthdays, when carefully planned, where pretty easy and did not take more than an hour to make.  (P.S.  Secret to moist, delicious cakes? . . . Betty Crocker!)

3. The Early Bird.  It is always a great idea to keep your guests busy while everyone is arriving and beginning to mingle.  Have a: craft ready to start, a color sheet to complete, a gathering game, ice breaker or other activity.  This always helps your guests feel welcome, comfortable and ready for fun!  Here is one the kids love: Take pictures of your guests in front of a back drop with the polariod camera when they arrive.  Then the kids and parents can sit and make a simple popsicle stick frame around the picture, making a craft and take home gift all at once.

4. Get Your Theme On.  Theme parties are the best way to get your creative juices flowing.  Your child, of course, can help with picking the theme.  Once you have your theme picked out, sit down for 20 minutes to "brain-storm" on activities, games and crafts that can be added to your party to make it super special for you kid and your guests.

Party themes & ideas that "Raised the Roof":

* Mommy & Me Tea Parties:  Have lots of hats for the girls to wear & dress gloves, Hand out a flyer on "Tea Time" etiquette, Have a "Little Ms. Manners" award.

* High School Musical Party: Invite your guests to dress in "Wildcat" colors and give them an extra prize.  (Our HSM party was a hit with the dressing in East High school colors, everyone got involved.  The kids were doing Wildcat cheers & everyone got a HSM button for showing East High Pride!)  Have High School Musical Kareoke . . . you don't need a kareoke machine either, believe me, THEY know all the words anyway!

* Luau Party:  Limbo with your guests,  Pass the Coconut (Like Musical Chairs),  make Hawaiian Pizzas, Have a hula contest.

* Diva Party:  Have a Paparazzi Photo shoot with combs, gel, sunglasses and hair accesories for your guests to use.  Musical Dress-up Relay race.  Invite your guests to participate in a Lip Sync contest.

* Sports Party:  Use slips of paper to tape on each guests back as they arrive putting them in Team A or Team B.  Let the Teams make up their team color, mascot, team cheer and decorate a team banner.  Play the basketball game of HORSE, have a balloon relay race & a scavenger hunt.  Serve Hot dogs, pop corn and other "concession stand" foods.  Maybe some gatoraide to drink.  

Put that creative thinking to work and you can find almost anything, as a reason to party!  Enjoy the fun!