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Happy September! Happy Back to School!
It's time for the hum of school buses and bells to ring...kids are back in school. You can take inspiration and get your kids into the swing of the school year with some fun activities and crafts to get them back into the routine.
This is a perfect season to throw an Alphabet Party...with primary colors and the alphabet as inspiration...it's an easy, budget-friendly theme that's educational too. This month's sponosr, Ore Ida, has a great treat to serve for this party: ABC Tater Tots...your kids' favorite with a fun & educational twist! A great treat to serve at this party!
Now that school is back in session, you may want to send in classroom treats to celebrate your child's birthday at school. Make sure to check school policy on bringing these treats in and if there are any restrictions on sweets at your school. Be mindful of kids who may have allergies too!
With school, comes the flurry of weekend birthday party invitations. Everyone s back into the routine. As the year begins, make sure to draw up a budget for the presents you will buy...costs can add up, so create a budget and stick to it. Also, if you are looking for alternatives to traditional gifts, have a look at the comprehensive list of alternative ideas. It's a hot trend!
Finally, make sure to enter our current giveaway: Personalized Party Scratch Offs. What a cool party activity and/or favor...and they match most party themes. Good Luck!
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 Back to School Already?
It is time (almost time and/or past the time) for the new school year to start... all of this means brand new shoes, sharpened pencils, fresh school supplies and cool book covers... as a kid, I lived for this time of year... call me crazy, but I was happier in school than with all of that summer time on my hands. So, for me, I think time to celebrate this new beginning. If you are thinking along the same lines and want to celebrate this time of year with your kids, check out a few of the ideas/resources below:
If you are going to have a proper party with some friends, hand-deliver a fresh apple with a little tag attached that gives the details of the gathering. You could also cut out red apples or pencil shapes and provide the details as well. Those could be easily mailed off.
For decorations, have a chalkboard or white board out. Place a desk in the party area filled with books, school supplies. Make the party room look like a mock classroom. If there are specific school colors, decorate with balloons, streamers, and a school banner with these colors as well. Apples on the party table would also be excellent.
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 Alphabet Party
Amount of Time 5 -15 hours
Budget: $100 to $250
Number of Guests: 5 kids or less
Age Groups: 1 to 4 years old
Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors is probaly more appropriate, but could also be done outside.
Special Notes: This is a great party theme for a very small child's party. Many people like this one for a first birthday party. As long as you have some older children attending, up to 4 years of age, these activities will be fun and engaging.
This party can also be put together with very little time and money. A small number of party guests and a limited amount of time ( the party should be 90 minutes or less with this age group) will also help control expenses and planning time.
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 Classroom Party Treats
Well, it is "Back To School" season, and many of you may be thinking about treats/snacks that you will bring into your kids' classrooms this school year. If you are looking for a few good ideas, have a read:
I love themed-cupcakes to match the seasons, i.e. for September, they could have an apple on top, etc. Cupcakes made in Ice Cream Cones is also lots of fun.
Rice Krispie Treats...substitute in different colors of crisps, i.e. add food coloring and/or use fruity pebbles to make them more exciting. They can also be given out on a stick, if you pop a stick in each one. Even a cuter way to enjoy.
Popcorn Balls are always yummy.
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Alternatives Ideas to Party Gifts
When Robin F. of Seattle let out a shout to find out what people are doing at their kids' parties if they aren't requesting traditional gifts, she got many great ideas. She shares them here for anyone interested in alternatives to party  gifts:
1. Many are doing book exchanges in a few different ways:
Guest:
1. bring a wrapped gift and everyone gets to take one home.
2. Some open the books on the spot, others wait until the kids have gone home.
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 Present Budget
Parents often tell me that all of the birthday parties that their childern attend across any given school year is quite costly...not including the costs associated with throwing their own kids parties as well. Why so expensive? Gifts! If your child is invited to 20 parties during the year, for each of his classmates, even spending a small amount for a present adds up quickly.
Kids often feel pressure to give a good gift as well, and parents can feel this way too. Parents may think that if they give a reasonable gift, their kids will receive nice gifts as well. You may also get kids at school telling their friends what they want as their cool gift and your child comes home and puts pressure on you to buy this gift so he looks like the cool one who gave him "THE" gift.
[read more]
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Parties When You're the New Kid in Town
I am new in town and have had little chance to meet anyone, and my kid's birthday party is coming up.  He is enrolled in school and knows almost everyone in his class, but I have no idea who these kids are. Should I take liberty and invite the whole class to the upcoming party?
It could be awkward as I don't know this community yet, and they don't know me. What to do?
(This is also an excellent question, if your child is simply new to the school and is meeting many new friends whom you don't know in the least yet.)
Transitions to new towns and new schools are extremely stressful, so ease in the way that relaxes you the most. The most important consideration is, after taking into account what your child wants, what are you most comfortable with?
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