PARTIES From invitations to favors, parents can find creative ways to celebrate a child's birthday.



By RACHEL KUBICEK

CNHI News Service



Kami Cook says she has created memorable birthday parties for her two children over the years.

“I wanted them to have parties they’ll remember because that is what I remember from when I was little,” said Cook, of Baxter Spring, Kan.

“I want to pass on that they will have parties for their own kids. I want to someday go to a party for my grandchild and see the happiness on their face.”

For parents who are trying to decide what to do for their child’s next birthday party, there are plenty of options available.

But first and foremost, Cook has this advice — plan.

“ If you plan ahead, you can create your own party without having much expense,” she said.

Some of the items on Cook’s party checklist include making the guest list and ordering supplies in advance.

THEMES

Party planner Cheryl Livingston, owner of Party World, said to make sure the party is all about the birthday girl or boy.

“It’s like a play and they have the main role,” said Livingston.

Some of the parties Cook has had for her kids include a cowboy party, a luau, a hunting and camouflage party and a princess party.

Her daughter, Kallie, 6, had a princess party for her third birthday.

“I went to the dollar store and got goblets and decorations and they were cheap,” she said. “I also had a girl who had been crowned queen in high school come to the party in her dress and crown she had worn to homecoming. Each little girl got to take a picture on her lap. They were able to meet a real live princess.”

One of Cook’s favorite parties was the cowboy party she had for her son, Kyler, 10, when he was little.

“We had a cowboy carriage ride and a scavenger hunt where they hunted for gold. Kyler still remembers his cowboy party,” said Cook.

When Kyler was into hunting and camouflage, she had an army party and set up a tent where she painted the kids’ faces inside the tent.



MAKE THE INVITATIONS

Cook said that parents can get creative when it comes to making invitations to their child’s birthday party.

“I make the invitations with the kids’ pictures on them,” she said. “Kallie had a luau party and I dressed her up and put her on a diving board and attached the picture to the invitation. That way everyone knew to dress up for a luau.”



PARTY FAVORS

Stores have a wide variety of party favors and goodies that kids can take home.

Cook recommends keeping a camera on hand. Pictures can make for easy party favors.

“The Polaroid is my favorite because the kids get to take something home that they will always remember,” said Cook.

“We (also) usually send a goody bag because we always have a pinata. For the princess party, they each got a crown; for the cowboy party, they each got a bandanna and a cowboy hat. And for Kallie’s second birthday we had a rubber ducky theme and the kids got to pick a rubber ducky from the pool to take home,” said Cook.

(Rachel Kubicek writes for The Joplin (Mo.) Globe.)