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I rarely buy invitations for my kids' birthday parties, because my scrapbooking hobby means that I always have plenty of card-making supplies on hand. Last year, I made Barbie "12 Dancing Princesses" invitations, and yesterday, I made these simple Hannah Montana invitations in Microsoft Picture It.
I couldn't see buying a pack of 8 store-bought invitations, when I only have two kids to invite! All of the party specifics are inside, and we decorated the envelopes with Hannah Montana stickers. These invitations are printed on 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock, and when folded, they fit in standard greeting card envelopes, which can be purchased by the box at Wal-Mart.
For party favors this year, I've been prowling the clearance aisles at Wal-Mart and Walgreens, and I've come up with some great favors, without going over my $5 per kid limit.
Hannah Montana book of 318 stickers: .50 (Walgreen's clearance)
Hannah Montana notebook: .75 (Walgreen's clearance)
Hannah Montana stretchy book cover: .50 (Staples clearance)
Hannah Montana headbands, package of 3: $1.00 (Dollar Tree)
Crayola markers: .70 (Wal-Mart clearance)
Fun-Dip: .59 (Dollar Tree)
Marshmallow Pumpkin: .39 with coupon at Walgreens (I always include at least one Halloween favor, since Bee's birthday is only 2 days before).
Total cost: $4.43
I didn't buy standard favors, because as you know, I object to cheap, plastic crap, and also because many Hannah Montana party favors involve make-up, which I don't think is appropriate for first grade girls. I did buy Hannah Montana cups, plates and napkins though, as I have no decorating expense this year. Bee wants to have her party at Happy Joe's for the free sundae and birthday horn, followed by a sleepover at our house. I'm going to wrap the girls' favors in sparkly, purple paper, so they have something to open while Bee opens her presents.
I'm planning to make this Pop Star Guitar cake from Family Fun:
It looks complicated, but it's actually quite simple. I was worried that I would have to bake a zillion cakes, but it's actually just a 9x13 sheet cake, cut in a very creative way, and pieced back together.
I usually take birthday cupcakes for Bee's class, but this year there are children with allergies, so treats can only be items from the approved snack list. I was upset to learn from Bee that some parents disregard this rule. Last week, one boy brought Little Debbie Fall Party Cakes, but when I pointed out that they aren't on the approved list, Bee said, "Oh well, we have other snacks in the classroom for the allergic kids."
I just don't think that's fair, because it means that some kids are excluded, and I imagine that kids with allergies already feel excluded enough. We purchased Halloween fruit snacks (approved), Halloween pencils (8 for $1 at Walgreens), small boxes of Halloween stickers (20 boxes for $3.99) and Halloween treat bags ($1.99), to make birthday goody bags for Bee's class.
Because the focus is off food, all the kids can have the same thing, and no one will feel left out. The cost is .74 per kid - far more than that of homemade cupcakes - but I didn't actually have to pay for any of this stuff, because I still had a $21 rebate credit on my Walgreens gift card from way back in April. I hadn't used it because this pregnancy has been kicking my butt, and I haven't felt up to shopping.
Also, it's my opinion that a little kid's feelings are far more important than money.
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14 comments:
Another wonderful birthday package by Heather. I love hearing how you do it each year as I refuse to jump on the huge party bandwagon.
It is sad that people are sending snacks that all the kids can't eat. BUT I have to say I fight when it comes to telling parents none of us can send peanut butter sandwiches in our kids lunch because some kids are allergic. Ummm, excuse me but its MY kids lunch and one of the only 2 things I can send in her lunch that she will eat. I'm sending it. Keep the other kids faces out of her lunch and there shouldn't be an issue.
Yes kids with allergies do feel left out very often. I had too many allergies for people to make an approved list for. So my mother would just send what I needed, often unexpected tears would spring to my eyes as I would look at what I had compared to the others. Sometimes I would just eat what I wasn't supposed to anyway. This would cause my asthma to act up and so on. I still have food issues :) As an adult I found out some of my friends were jealous that I got special food all the time :) Oh well you can't win them all. It is kind that they keep extra food there for the children with allergies though. I think it is wonderful that you work so hard to make sure everyone is included.
Autumn, I agree with you about the peanut butter sandwich lunch issue. When something is eaten in the classroom, like snacks, where the allergic kids could come into contact with it, I can understand the restrictions. However, lunch is different. Fortunately, at Bee's school all of the allergic kids eat together at "peanut-free" tables, so this hasn't been an issue. Yet.
OK So my daughter's birthday is in July, make plans and come to TN and plan her party!! Just kidding! Wonderful ideas.
Our daughter is having her Hannah Montana birthday tomorrow. We did very in-expensive gift bag items such as the head bands from the dollar tree, some jewelery which I found on clearance at Claire's, and stickers. We did however break down and buy the cake from Walmart, cuz I'm just too tired with this pregnancy to deal with it this year.
As far as peanut free...Our daughter's school also offers peanut free tables, but for snack it is a requirement because they are in such close quarters.
We never send candy or sweets simply because our 4 year old niece is a diabetic and I'm sure there are other children that young too with it and I hate seeing how much she has to give up due to her diabetes. They make so many alternatives now that it's making things much easier!
My kids are adults but I always loved putting together creative party favors like you've done. Love it.
That cake is super cute...let us know how it turns out!
Nice job with the favors. I would be pleased with those if my child brought them home.
Bee is going to be 7! Where does the time go?
Not to mention that some kids have VERY SEVERE allergies. My sister-in-law has had her throat close before because someone sitting next to her had nuts on their salad. As much as I abhore Hannah Montana, the cake is adorable (be sure and post a picture of your finished product!), but I do pray this Hannah Montana fad is over by the time I have a daughter Bee's age. ;)
PS - It's so funny that one of your party favors is "FunDip." That's the only craving I've had this entire pregnancy! I eat at least one package a day, sometimes 2!
The only thing I can say for HM is that there is no difficulty in finding things with her face on it.
The girl is everywhere. I'm soooo ready to see something different & I don't even have children interested in her! (my eldest three are boys)
However, I did LOVE to have my birthday's at Happy Joe's when I was little. Thanks for the fun memory.
Take very good care of your self ~ we want the little man baking for a while longer. :) As the eldest of five siblings I remember my mother sleeping a lot during her pregnancies & there was no feelings of lack of attention for me. Probably because I was secure in her love for me.(as I am sure yours are in you) Things will eventually fall back in place after the little one arrives.
You are wonderful! I feel the exact same way about the whole allergy issue. Even though my kids aren't affected, I feel terrible when I see parents bring a snack that not everyone can enjoy.
Bee is going to have a lovely birthday. I hope you're back on your feet soon and able to enjoy life a little more. Prayers and hugs!
"Also, it's my opinion that a little kid's feelings are far more important than money."
Exactly. Lots of people wouldn't even think about those kids with allergies.
You are organised! Bee is going to have such a great birthday party! I like the idea of the bags for the class instead of lollies - they still get to celebrate, but everyone can join in!
Thank you for thinking about the food allegy kids! My 4 year old has multiple SEVERE food allergies and I'm scared to death to send him to school in a few years. It's so sad to hear (and scary)that some parents don't take it seriously.
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