Budget Birthday Theme Party

[kelly1218]

okay..... it's time for DD's 12th birthday.

She's choosing a party again this year....and she wants it to be better than last year.

We turned our house into an indoor carnival complete with games and prizes.


This years theme will be a dance off party.


She wants to do dances like

the chicken dance
Cotton Eyed Joe
Cupid Shuffle
Cha Cha slide

Etc.....


I need decoration ideas, food ideas, awards, well....any ideas. LOL

so far we have half a guest list...and 5-6 songs picked.


I'm hoping to find someone(a friend) to be able to help teach the kids these dances..(most do know them, though)
and I want to have 'awards'. Basically one for each kid.
Like best dressed, best dancer, etc.

Help?!?!?!?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I am pretty crafty...so I plan on making some of the decorations myself.
I did all the carnival games and decorations last year...I'm hoping this year is easier.

 

[DCbride]

I am definitely not crafty

But I think you should definitely give each guest a CD with all the songs on it as a thank you (favor).

 

[danielephant]

maybe for decor you can go with a color (s) for DDs first birthday we did pastels...but for a girls dance party maybe pink and black...that could be fun?!

 

[gules]

Medals should be cheap enough to make or even buy (depending on if you have a party store nearby). I think that the CD idea is a good one too. You can shop around and find CD-Rs REALLY cheap now. Just don't get suckered into thinking that it needs to be a special "music" CD. Then you can print little CD envelopes or jewel covers with something like "Thanks for coming! XXX's 12th Birthday, 2010"

For decorations... What about some big DDR arrows on the floor in dance patterns, or even just shoeprints on the walls and things? You might be able to find some small mirrored balls (like disco balls!) or make boom-box or iPod shapes to hang up. Another great idea (depending on how many kids there will be) could be to do an iPod silhouette for each kid by projecting the image on a wall with a strong light and tracing it to a piece of paper you hang there (gotta give American Girl the credit for the silhouette though). I've also seen some interesting old CD mobiles so you could kill some of those pesky free or old CDs that always seem to be piling up.

Food can be just about anything if it's a dance-off. But if the kids will be dancing then you might want to stick with something they can carry easily or eat in just a few bites. Vary the drinks a bit. For a fun twist, you could make your daughter a "signature drink" and call it something cute like "The Chelsie Shuffle" or "Donna Disco" (no idea what your daughter's name is).

I can't help you with dances. The Electric Slide and the Macarena are about as far as I go. I can do the twist and the YMCA as well. It might be fun to have some songs they can sing to as well, in case not everyone wants to dance. Or songs from popular dance-based movies (I don't know what's new for 12-yr-olds!).

As for awards. Definitely best dancer... best dressed, silliest dancer, most enthusiastic, improving talent (a good one for someone who tried something new or who has never danced before), funkiest style... That's all I got for now.

Hope some of this helps, or is even feasible! Keep us updated because I would love to hear how this pans out!

 

[MandM-Mom]

A taco bar is fun and usually can be done at a descent price.

 

[Graciesmom77]

If you have a Wii or can borrow one from a friend, the "Just Dance" game is soooo fun. You can play with up to 4 people at a time and they have all kinds of fun songs like "Can't Touch This" and "Cotton Eyed Joe" and many more. You could even write down the scores after so many songs on a big poster board and then have the kids who havn't had a turn go, and then at the end who ever has the most points is the Just Dance Queen or something.

I second the idea of the taco bar. SO cheap and easy and everyone loves it.

For drinks you could make a lighter colored punch and freeze juice or even Kool aid into ice cubes in all different colors and add it to the punch and make it colorful.

You could look up names of dances from the past and then have the girls try and guess what they look like. After they all try and do it, you can read the dances real description or even show them yourself, if your brave enough! lol Dances like the Mashed potato, Roger rabbit, cabbage patch, and so on.

Have a ton of fun!

 

[momxx5]

What an awesome idea for a party!!! I want to come

I love the CD as a party favor, each child gets a CD with all the songs played at the party.

Along with the invitations, send out a request for "favorite song" and they can email you the song choices ahead of time.
Play the songs and let everyone guess whose favorite it is.

Check out Dollar Tree....they have some items in the party section/toy section with musical notes, rock & roll themes, tamborines, blowup guitars, and blow up microphonse, etc. Sometimes they have faux disco balls that are fun to just hang. They sometimes have CDs will general party music.
I am definately not a fan of tatoos, but temporary tatoos may be fun. In the educational section at the Dollar Tree the have borders and cut-outs that have music/rock & roll themes.

Do you have access to a karaoke machine? That would be fun for the kids to try to sing along. I am a fan of some oldies.....anything from Supremes to classic rock.
I often play "who is singing this song" while in the car, to educated my teenagers on all types of music.

A fun game of musical chairs would incorporate dancing. Look into some Camp Rock ideas....right now the party stores have plates/napkins, etc. Or just choose some solid colors.

You may be able to find some teenagers from local dance studios or musical theatre classes at high school. Many of the students need volunteer/comuminty service hours and may be willing to come teach some dance moves.

Tacos to me are too messy, but that's just me. Pigs in the blankety, chips/salsa, fruit tray, veggie tray, etc would be my know of finger foods.

Good luck and keep us posted as to all the fun.
Happy 12th birthday to your DD!

 

[ceecee]

I am definitely not crafty

But I think you should definitely give each guest a CD with all the songs on it as a thank you (favor).

Great idea! You could take a photo of all the girls and put that on the CD front.

 

[kelly1218]

I am definitely not crafty

But I think you should definitely give each guest a CD with all the songs on it as a thank you (favor).

We are actually thinking of doing this for the invitations!!!! this way the girls will know what songs are being played, in case they have never heard the songs before.

Medals should be cheap enough to make or even buy (depending on if you have a party store nearby). I think that the CD idea is a good one too. You can shop around and find CD-Rs REALLY cheap now. Just don't get suckered into thinking that it needs to be a special "music" CD. Then you can print little CD envelopes or jewel covers with something like "Thanks for coming! XXX's 12th Birthday, 2010"

For decorations... What about some big DDR arrows on the floor in dance patterns, or even just shoeprints on the walls and things? You might be able to find some small mirrored balls (like disco balls!) or make boom-box or iPod shapes to hang up. Another great idea (depending on how many kids there will be) could be to do an iPod silhouette for each kid by projecting the image on a wall with a strong light and tracing it to a piece of paper you hang there (gotta give American Girl the credit for the silhouette though). I've also seen some interesting old CD mobiles so you could kill some of those pesky free or old CDs that always seem to be piling up.

Food can be just about anything if it's a dance-off. But if the kids will be dancing then you might want to stick with something they can carry easily or eat in just a few bites. Vary the drinks a bit. For a fun twist, you could make your daughter a "signature drink" and call it something cute like "The Chelsie Shuffle" or "Donna Disco" (no idea what your daughter's name is).

I can't help you with dances. The Electric Slide and the Macarena are about as far as I go. I can do the twist and the YMCA as well. It might be fun to have some songs they can sing to as well, in case not everyone wants to dance. Or songs from popular dance-based movies (I don't know what's new for 12-yr-olds!).

As for awards. Definitely best dancer... best dressed, silliest dancer, most enthusiastic, improving talent (a good one for someone who tried something new or who has never danced before), funkiest style... That's all I got for now.

Hope some of this helps, or is even feasible! Keep us updated because I would love to hear how this pans out!

Thank you!!!! the arrows would be a great idea!!!
Her name is Amanda...so I'm sure we can think of a drink name
And I'm adding those 'awards' to the list...I can't believe I've drawn such a blank for awards!!

If you have a Wii or can borrow one from a friend, the "Just Dance" game is soooo fun. You can play with up to 4 people at a time and they have all kinds of fun songs like "Can't Touch This" and "Cotton Eyed Joe" and many more. You could even write down the scores after so many songs on a big poster board and then have the kids who havn't had a turn go, and then at the end who ever has the most points is the Just Dance Queen or something.

I second the idea of the taco bar. SO cheap and easy and everyone loves it.

For drinks you could make a lighter colored punch and freeze juice or even Kool aid into ice cubes in all different colors and add it to the punch and make it colorful.

You could look up names of dances from the past and then have the girls try and guess what they look like. After they all try and do it, you can read the dances real description or even show them yourself, if your brave enough! lol Dances like the Mashed potato, Roger rabbit, cabbage patch, and so on.

Have a ton of fun!

We have Dance Dance Revolution and Just Dance.. neither one is the 'true' dances....so she's not interested in them.
I know she was very disappointed in the Cotton Eyed Joe on Just Dance...it was one of the first dances her Aunt taught her....so it's just not the same. ya know?

What an awesome idea for a party!!! I want to come

I love the CD as a party favor, each child gets a CD with all the songs played at the party.

Along with the invitations, send out a request for "favorite song" and they can email you the song choices ahead of time.
Play the songs and let everyone guess whose favorite it is.

Check out Dollar Tree....they have some items in the party section/toy section with musical notes, rock & roll themes, tamborines, blowup guitars, and blow up microphonse, etc. Sometimes they have faux disco balls that are fun to just hang. They sometimes have CDs will general party music.
I am definately not a fan of tatoos, but temporary tatoos may be fun. In the educational section at the Dollar Tree the have borders and cut-outs that have music/rock & roll themes.

Do you have access to a karaoke machine? That would be fun for the kids to try to sing along. I am a fan of some oldies.....anything from Supremes to classic rock.
I often play "who is singing this song" while in the car, to educated my teenagers on all types of music.

A fun game of musical chairs would incorporate dancing. Look into some Camp Rock ideas....right now the party stores have plates/napkins, etc. Or just choose some solid colors.

You may be able to find some teenagers from local dance studios or musical theatre classes at high school. Many of the students need volunteer/comuminty service hours and may be willing to come teach some dance moves.

Tacos to me are too messy, but that's just me. Pigs in the blankety, chips/salsa, fruit tray, veggie tray, etc would be my know of finger foods.

Good luck and keep us posted as to all the fun.
Happy 12th birthday to your DD!

I thought of that, I think I might ask the high school if they have any students they could recommend. I know they need to 50 hours of community service for graduation.

I'm thinking finger foods too... DD just asked me today if we could make baby sandwiches. I have cookie cutters... I might be able to find ones that would work with our theme.













I've gotten Glow Necklaces so far...Target had them 25 for $2.50!!!!!
And we already have a strobe light and black lights.

I bought a pack of blank cd's for under $15... the ones I don't use for the invites, I will string like garland.
I figure that will help the room 'sparkle' too.

I have a TON of christmas twinkle lights....so we can always hang some of those to make the room more festive.


I asked her about Karaoke...she's not interested in having anyone sing. She just wants to have the dancing.

My kids aren't picky

Thank you so much!

I've got quite a few ideas from your suggestions already!!!!

 

[kelly1218]

Great idea! You could take a photo of all the girls and put that on the CD front.

I like to try and do that for the thank you cards. It's a great way to remember the day

 

[NVDisMom]

I realize you already bought CD-Rs but Kunaki.com gives you the ability to make "real" published cds for a buck a piece plus shipping. We used their service for a charity promo for DH's band and they were awesome. Custom graphics on the front and back covers, the spines, the inside of the front cover, and on the disc itself (all full color if you want) packaged in a clear jewel case. The part the cd rests in is solid black. I always thought they would make a great favor for my girls if we did a full blown bday party again. Better than cheapo favors from Oriental Trading.

BTW- Just proposed the dance off idea to DD13(she is school secretary) for her next school dance theme and she loved the idea! She was thinking teal, black and silver balloons, disco balls, and itunes type silhouettes on the walls. Boys vs girls YMCA or Macarena with chocolate gold coins for the winning "side". Lots of glow necklaces, bracelets, etc. They even have small(maybe an inch long, same diameter as the bracelets) glow sticks meant for drinks to make them glow. They use them at Burning Man every year out here. They work inside clear balloons too.

Food: Our grocery stores sell cocktail toasts that make great baby sandwiches. We did that a couple of years ago for a spa party.

 

[kelly1218]

I realize you already bought CD-Rs but Kunaki.com gives you the ability to make "real" published cds for a buck a piece plus shipping. We used their service for a charity promo for DH's band and they were awesome. Custom graphics on the front and back covers, the spines, the inside of the front cover, and on the disc itself (all full color if you want) packaged in a clear jewel case. The part the cd rests in is solid black. I always thought they would make a great favor for my girls if we did a full blown bday party again. Better than cheapo favors from Oriental Trading.

BTW- Just proposed the dance off idea to DD13(she is school secretary) for her next school dance theme and she loved the idea! She was thinking teal, black and silver balloons, disco balls, and itunes type silhouettes on the walls. Boys vs girls YMCA or Macarena with chocolate gold coins for the winning "side". Lots of glow necklaces, bracelets, etc. They even have small(maybe an inch long, same diameter as the bracelets) glow sticks meant for drinks to make them glow. They use them at Burning Man every year out here. They work inside clear balloons too.

Food: Our grocery stores sell cocktail toasts that make great baby sandwiches. We did that a couple of years ago for a spa party.

Thanks for the link for the CD's....the ones I bought are cheap ones....so I won't mind just using them for decoration. I'm going to check that site out now!
That would be a great idea for a school dance too.