Shirley's party advice part 5 - Here to Help - come and say Hi

[Blatherskite]

Didn't notice we'd gotten to the end of the thread!

I have never done lunchboxes, but sort of wish I had in retrospect. I think I have left it too late though - somewhere around 6 they seem to go from eating so little that it seems as though you finish with as much food as you started with, to being a hoard of locusts. For 4yos, I think it is a great idea and makes life a lot easier

I've been put off doing lunchboxes before because I thought they would be a bit bulky to transport along with all the other stuff I've ended up taking, but I think this year I'm going to do some paper bags with food in and then maybe a couple of trays with crisps etc on to put out.

In keeping with the Star Wars theme (did I ever say that I was in favour of a superhero party - I am totally bought into Star Wars now!!) I might try and get some black paper bags and cover them with silver star stickers. I'm also going to get some big rolls of black paper and cover them with stars to put on the wall. In fact, that will take a while so perhaps I should start now...

My secret is get a pack of collapsable crates. You make up all your little pots and sandwiches in bags etc, folded boxes. Get to venue and assemble and then crates either fold down for home time. Or used to bring the presents back. Easy peasy.

DT - Google Star Wars scene setters - could save you lots of star sticking

But that will take me back to the star wars battle scene stickers I've so far resisted to buy Stealth . They'd look soooooo good though... I need to save my birthday party fund for costumes etc - in fact, I really need to have an ask around some friends to find out if anyone is a. handy with a sewing machine and b. can run me up a couple of crates. Jedi/Darth Vader robes seem ridiculously expensive to buy and the reviews suggest they're mostly shoddy. I think I need a sewing machine and some lessons if I'm going to carry on with this themed party malarky. Mind you, I've only DS and he's already 5 this year so not sure how many more themed fancy dress parties I'll get away with...

I'm very cross that I forgot to buy a pop up cardboard Yoda when I saw it on ebay for about £11 - all the others I've seen since have been twice that much! I like the idea of the kids getting their photo taken with Yoda though, he'd be about the right height

Ooh, collapsable crates - I keep thinking they would be handy to buy! Where will I find some cheap ones?

Tesco direct.

I use mine as washing baskets. Put each load in and fold away wheb washed etc. maybe i need more they are sooo handy!

I want my photo with yoda!!!

But I did find these Stealth - you're a genius!

I'll check out Tesco for those crates - and wanting a photo with Yoda!

My mum could pass for yoda.

That's what I meant, DT.

What size robe(s) do you need?

Ooooh i can feel a stealth stitchathon coming on...

They're a great find Stealth. I would never have googled scene setters again so you have in fact saved me hours of work! Robes wise, I think I probably need one adult Vader and one adult jedi knight. I'm still going with my padawan fleece no sew tunics for the kids. If I thought I could get away with no sew fleece robes for the grown ups I would, but I think they would look rubbish. Are sewing machines expensive/hard to use?

DW, I had to suppress a snort at 'my mum could pass for yoda' - which is what I get for MNing at work!!! Mind you, I'm now thinking, so could MIL - wonder if I should rope her in?

My wonderful real life best friend remembered these

I am a major book worm and bibliophile and she thought that they would be wonderful strung everywhere - other advantage - very cheap

So, what sort of tableware would you put with these? and would you make little or big or a mixture?

As a bibiophile, can you bring yourself to cut up enough books ?

Depends on the space - if you have high ceilings ( if so) then big ones - as big as possible. Otherwise, strings of smaller ones on the wall.

How about paper bag lanterns (you could make your own, or even make the bags out of newspaper), brown parcel paper covered tables, sepia toned tissue paper pompoms, string tied cutlery etc? It may sound awful, but I have a whole paper/book/stationery vibe and in my head it would be wonderful.

these would sort of fit?

and how about nails to match the decor?

DT - if you can find / don't mind paying for the fabric, it wouldn't take me long at all to make 2 jedi robes especially if you don't mind how precise the finish is - I assume you mean brown for a jedi and black for Darth? I could work out how much you would need, based on length (neck -> hem), and sleeve (neck -> wrist)

Alternatively - sewing machines - you can get good basic new ones for under £100 from Argos. My Toyota one did fine for 12 years (and still works, actually, but I got my heart's desire a fancy one for my 40th)

Lilibet your RL friend is a genius. I was browsing pinterest for newsprint /book decorations and I found your party theme - "The next chapter"

Now if only I could work out how to link to pinterest boards....

Ohh we could really go to town with ideas for you lilibet just let me get showered first!

Stealth go into the boards bia pinterest website not an app. Then you can paste the url in. I kept having that problem.

Right im showered n wrapped up snuggly.

I would adore a "bookish" party. If you can make all the decorations etc then ideally i'd do an ivory/parchment themed table if you can. Failung that go bold black and white. But with old book papers a softer cream look would be fab. Those pompoms we linked to in cream papers wiuld really soften the look amd add bulk cheaply too.

most places do every colour you could need

How big is your guestlist because i'm seriously thinking of nicking this book idea but instead of presents i'd ask my friends to give me "the book you would recommend to me the most". I reckon i'd get a lovely eclectic mix of new books but that wont work if you'll end up with the tiger woods golfing bible from your boss or something!

pinterest board - but Lilibet you have to ignore the fact that it is for an early retirement party ;-)

I really want to steal this!

This morning's special Easter lunch didn't happen because DD was up all night with a temperature and super clingy this morning so I only managed to make Marmite sandwiches, yogurt and fruit for poor old DS :(

I'll have to do it for brunch on Sunday instead.

poor DD. I am sure eggs could be snacks at some point over Easter, though. I hope her temperature is coming down now.

She begged not to have to do the school run this morning but obviously we had to go so I dressed her lightly but wrapped her up in the buggy so we could strip layers as needed. Dropped past the shop on the way home for supplies as we're going to be in all day and she requested a bag of Wotsits.

I'm not sure what's in them that's more effective than Calpol but all of a sudden, you'd never know she was ever poorly except for the bags under my eyes

Hoping that's the end of it.

Lol at wotsit cure. You'll have plenty of opportunity to make ds his special lunch he wont mind. I bet he's still buzzing from his party.

Ive come to the conclusion that my cake failures come from making cakes with kids under my feet!! Mind you i havent been physically alone since 2011 so im not sure how to resolve that. But anyway the easter cake is in the bin!

I spoke too soon. Temp still down and she's still not whingey but, well, let's just say she's still poorly