I started planning my son’s 1st birthday party from the day he was born! I enjoy every single detail that goes into planning a party, and working at My Paper Shop is an added bonus. I have helped plan countless events for friends and family, so Jordan’s first birthday was going to be a big celebration. I incorporated a lot of yellow, blue, and white color tones to create a warm and festive party setting.
The birthday boy cheering on as we sang “Happy Birthday.”
I’m not a Christmas baby, but I have a sister, a nephew, friends and a cousin who have birthdays the day before and the days after. They’re not crazy about their birthdate and with good reason.It’s important to make Christmas birthdays special, especially if they are for friends and family! It’s commonly heard that if your birthday lands on any of these critical days, then more than likely a.) you’ll get one gift that counts for Christmas and your birthday, b.) you’ll get a birthday gift wrapped in Christmas paper, c.) your friends are busy spending the holidays with family, d.) your family temporarily forgets it’s your birthday, and the list goes on. Just as we get one day of the year that’s all about us, they deserve one as well.
birthday cake (Photo credit: freakgirl)
Birthdays are always a milestone. Next weekend, we’re celebrating the youngest girl’s birthday and it is the big 1-0! She’s so excited for this year’s extravaganza. We’ve decided to host a salon themed birthday party, makeovers included!
The simpler everything is planned, the easier it will be to set up on the big day. There will be three or four main “stations”—hair, make-up (mostly glitter and lip gloss), manicures and a glamour photo station. The main course, to be served on Glamour Plates, will consist of pizza and small appetizers like chips, vegetables & dip and of course, the cake and the ice cream!
There will be plenty of wonderful helpers at each station ready to pamper each “client” with the proper tools and treats. Goody Bags will consist of small candies, favors and a photo frame to be decorated after the photo shoot is complete.
It’s important to make a child’s birthday memorable, after all it is their special day. There’s no need to go crazy, but with some imagination, the day can be a magical one he/she will never forget.
There is absolutely no way that there can be no “baby” in the family. If the child is an only child they’re destined to reap the benefits of being spoiled and pampered; on the other hand, the chain has to end somewhere. The baby in our family happens to have 8 older siblings who happen to have a weakness for: the Pookenator.
His birthday was yesterday and boy did he think he deserved the world. It was his special day (blah, blah), and we decided to keep his birthday party fun and simple. He plays T-ball so of course, we incorporated a baseball theme that him and his team pals would enjoy. The mother baked a cake and decked it out with a baseball scene. Younger boys tend to enjoy and/or participate in sports so a Sports Themed party is not a novel idea.
We used metallic balloons with a baseball print to add a festive mood to the team’s snack area. Although it wasn’t a birthday party we planned weeks in advanced with invitations and the whole deal, the little gathering was a perfect way to end this “All-Star’s” t-ball season.
When in doubt, sports are usually a safe bet. Think back and smile at the time when a stray ball made them happy. Nowadays, they turn six and they want those crazy gadgets that cost you an arm and a leg only for the latest gadget to be out 10 minutes later.
Fifteenth and sixteenth birthdays traditionally mark the transition of a girl’s life and the festivities that follow allow her parents to introduce her to society as a woman. These parties, to say the least, are a big deal. In Latin America, this transition is celebrated on the young woman’s 15th birthday and the large party is called a Quinceañera. In the United States, this transition is celebrated on the girl’s 16th birthday and the party is called a Sweet Sixteen. In Jewish tradition, bat mitzvah’s mark this transition as well. Although the celebration age may be different, it’s safe to say the theme of the party is pretty universal.
These parties can range anywhere from a simple dinner party at a home or a restaurant to some exclusive and rather lavish events. The important thing to keep in mind about these milestone birthdays is the significance of the age. More often than not, these extravagant parties are jam-packed with traditions that indicate this major change, such as the moment when the father switches out his daughter’s flat-soled shoe for a high heel. When parents brush shoulders with their children on a daily basis, sometimes it is difficult to really stand back and realize the babies are all grown up. Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard though, they’ll “always” be your little girls.
Fifteenth and Sixteenth birthday parties are landmark events that have created so much hype that the media took advantage and created a very popular show, “My Super Sweet Sixteen.” Although I don’t have children of my own quite yet, I can fear for my life in advance.
Never fear MyPaperShop-pers, we are here to offer some partyware-ish support. Our Teen Birthday Party Supplies offer a few resources, at a not so mind-boggling price, that may help you make your teen-zilla’s day special. Go on, shop at your own risk. 
Every birthday is a special milestone, a way to mark the end of one year and the promise of another. Turning sixteen for a girl, though, seems to be a rite of passage.
Sixteenth birthdays are celebrated in a variety of ways, from simple get-togethers of close family and friends to elaborate gala events, complete with valet parking and live music. If fronted with the task of preparing for a special sixteenth celebration, keep several points in mind:
1. MAKE A BUDGET! The amount of money available to spend will determine most of the climate of the event. Renting a location and providing a full meal along with music and dancing probably is not going to happen on a $200 budget. The honoree is old enough to be involved in this part of the process, so sit down with her and discuss options based on the budget. Allocate a portion for food, decorating, and perhaps location, music and attire if necessary.
2. COMMUNICATION Make sure the honoree is an active part of all decisions made. She will know if one weekend is better over another, or if a day party on a Sunday would be better than a Friday night celebration. Closely work on a guest list (keeping in mind that budget) and a menu.
3. PICK AN APPROPRIATE THEME. A pink pony theme might not be the best choice for a special sixteenth birthday party, but nor is a poker night party. Choose a theme based on the honoree’s likes and preferences. Go with a favorite color, a favorite flower, or something in line with the honoree’s hobbies.
4. FOOD TO FEED THE MASSES. However much food you think you’ll need, make plans for at least 25% more. Kids LOVE to eat, and at a party, there will be plenty of it! Make sure it is easy to prepare and easy to handle. While hand-piped petit-fours would be lovely, a gaggle of teenagers would probably be just as happy with some chocolate chip cookies and some chips and dip.
5. MAKE THE MOMENT LAST FOREVER. As part of the party, give each guest a disposable camera. The host is then free of any photography duties, and the kids will have a blast shooting pictures of their friends having fun. And, the honoree will have plenty of reminders of the fantastic party.
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