High-Flying Birthday Party

I have a confession: I am obsessed with children’s birthday parties. I love planning them, I love going to them, and I especially love the creativity that they allow. After doing a few myself and helping friends with others, I have put together a few tips for hosting a great children’s birthday party.

1. Choose the right theme. What does your child love to do? What is his or her favorite toy or song or activity? Some of the best birthday themes are built off your own child’s preferences, even if they are too young to tell you what kind of party they want. A friend of mine said her 3-year-old was obsessed with the garbage collectors in her neighborhood, so she created a “Recycling” theme party that is still one of the cutest party ideas I’ve ever seen.
2. “Borrow” ideas from others. There are several Web sites where moms can share ideas for parties. My personal favorite is Creative Party Placewhere you can get all kinds of inspiration.
3. Make it unique. While it’s easy to pick up decorations at a party store, it’s also easy to create them yourself, and you’ll have something more memorable. For my son’s second birthday, I worked with a friend who is a graphic artist to create unique invitations and elements for the party. For example, it was an airplane-theme party, so she created “baggage claim” and “baggage check” signs for the gift drop-off and favor pick-up sites. I had the signs printed at FedEx Office and it gave the party a real personal touch. You can check out her blog, Pink Peppermint Paper, to see his party and her handiwork featured. 
4. Create a tradition. Start doing something every year that signifies the day. Whether it’s serving his or her dinner on a special plate, or always cooking a certain meal, or even just hanging a sign on their bedroom door that says “Happy Birthday,” make sure they know that this is their special day.