In all this talk about economic downturns and recessions or "recessions" and whatnot, politicians are overlooking one very important thing when calculating rebates and tax cuts and interest rates freezes and economic stimulation: what the hell is a parent to do about birthday parties?
Listen, party-planning expert Lisa Kothari, author of Dear Peppers and
Pollywogs...What Parents Want to Know About Planning Their Kids'
Parties knows your pain and she wants to help out with her three-part series on recession-proof children's birthday parties. Thank God, because I was worried we'd have to leave it up to our kids this year to create their own fun.
For Part 1, she counsels to "think outside the box," but goes on to give some cool ideas, so stick with me. The first is a Messy Party, with these sugggestions.
- Invitations stamped with handprints.
- Make a mess out of balloons and streamers;
hang them all over the place in no set pattern.
- Have the kids paint pictures with chocolate.
- Let the kids decorate premade sugar cookies.
- Set out paint, roller brushes, and butcher paper for
the kids to make fantastic creations.
- Have a bunch of stamps and water-soluble ink out and have the kids
stamp their arms and legs all over and stamp one another!
- Place a pile of dirt in one area of the yard and have the kids make
dirt creations using twigs, rocks, and other natural elements.
- Make a traditional round cake, ice with vanilla frosting and then
drizzle different colors of icing into your own messy masterpiece. Add
candy toppings as an added bonus.
Outrageous Cookie Party
Make plain cookie dough and then set out these ingredients for kids to get creative with. Bag them up to take home. Be sure to warn parents in case the kids decide to share.
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Chocolate Syrup
- Ranch Dressing
- Steak Sauce
- Cherries
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Peanut Butter
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Jam
- Pesto Sauce
- Tomato Sauce
- Relish
Don't forget to request all birthday gifts in cash. (Who's going to pay for all that wasted pesto? We're in a recession!)
So what are you doing for a cheap birthday party this year (or any year)? Canceling the tiger cub rental? Yeah, me too. Me too.
Photo: Once Upon a Bash
