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Just ask the trend experts at American Greetings who research celebrations happening year-round. What they have found is that a great idea -- and a little creativity -- go a long way.
The most important step for any successful party is having a fun concept to build off of, says Julie Post-Smith, director of specialties at American Greetings, who leads the gift presentation trend team.
"The key to any great party is a having a great theme, and we have found countless ways to accent any idea with a few simple touches," she says. "Once you have developed a theme, you can use your creativity to decorate any space, put together the perfect menu and come up with fun activities."
To help parents who might be looking for an idea to use, Post-Smith and her team have the following suggestions:
* Go under the sea for ideas: All kids love adventure, so why not take your party under the sea? Fill your ceiling with royal blue and sea green balloons to create the atmosphere. From there you can enhance the concept with goldfish-filled centerpieces, accenting each place setting with a piece of coral and using nautical-themed gift bags for favors (be sure to include offbeat ideas such as salt water taffy and beach gear to play up your theme.) One fun activity for your party is a safe twist on the popular game of pinata. Fill empty balloons with candy, blow them up and have kids try to pop these faux bubbles to win treats.
* Be sporty: There is no better idea for a high-energy, athletic child than a sports party. Pick their favorite game and create a whole day around it. One idea is a baseball-themed get together. Make simple T-shirts for all the kids, coordinate them into teams and organize a wiffle ball game. After the last run has scored, create an ice cream sundae diamond with different crunchy, fruit, sweet and warm toppings at each "base."
* Embrace your sweet tooth: If you are struggling for ideas, pick a more general concept that will allow you to incorporate simple touches. A great example of this is a candy-themed party, which is sure to offer a sweet and colorful platform for the fun. Accent your table with a vase filled with candy and use large lollipops as a colorful alternative to flowers. Give the guests a taste of your childhood by helping them to make candy necklaces.
* Get colorful: For younger celebrants the simplest themes can result in the most fun. If your little girl is in love with everything pink, use it as your main element. Have all guests dress in the color and deck out your home in pink decor. You might not be able to find a disposable pink tablecloth so use pink wrapping paper instead; it's more festive than the regular throwaway version, and just as convenient. To continue the simple idea, serve pink punch, and of course, be sure to ice her cake in the appropriate shade of frosting.
* Plan a spa day: Older girls will love getting to pamper each other with manicures and pedicures. Turn your living room into a spa with relaxing chairs, music and refreshments. Keep the theme going with small favor baskets filled with fun beauty items. You can even use convenient gift boxes and bags shaped just like purses to give them a fashionable touch.
* Ensure a Wii bit of fun: The Wii has become a staple for many youngsters, so why not embrace it? Create a tournament for the kids to compete in, complete with a large bracket you post on the wall. With sports games the most popular, have nutritious snacks and drinks on hand to keep their energy up. For those not playing, give them the chance to bet on the winner with chocolate coins. Give the ultimate winner -- and the top handicapper -- a special gift at the end of the day.
No matter what theme you go with, Post-Smith says that focusing on what makes your guest of honor happy is always the best advice.
"If you come up with an idea that they love, everything else will definitely fall into place," she says. "Just have fun with it and so will they."
For more tips and to find where you can buy everything needed for any birthday party, visit www.corporate.americangreetings.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Source: crestonnewsadvertiser.com
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