Shirley's party advice part 6 - don't be afraid to interrupt us!

[Tinkerisdead]

Okay, this is shirley's party advice part 6. Shirley ducked out a while ago and you'll notice us chatting about all kinds of stuff whilst we wait for party planners to barge in.

So, don't lurk, jump in and chat. We'll give you any advice on parties from costumes to cakes....

Like this

Blathers - when you did your rainbow cake, did you make it up as you went along or use a tutorial? I have been thinking that if DD's pottery cake is going to be fairly plain and clay-coloured on the outside, it might be fun if it was colourful inside....

but...I could start making layers now and freeze them...

or was it DW who did rainbow cake? Or both of you?

I considered trying to make an actual map of the area around our house into a treasure map but it's deceptively hard!

I made mine up as I went along. I used Hummingbird vanilla cake and coloured it with gels.

Mine caused far fewer headaches than DW's

..and less blood

Did you freeze layers as you went or just make them in quick succession?

Quick succession. 1 double batch of HBB vanilla cake makes 3 layers so I only had to make 2 batches and did it the day before.

I did have the bonus of being at home the day before though ;)

What do you think of this for a party game suggestion for DD's party.... get them to sing along to and do the actions?

Are you prepared to lead it? I would rather die

If they are, as a group, used to music and movement and the like, then with a small group I think it would work.

I am so not going to be here the day before. I am going to be out all day for SIL's 50th the day before [sigh]. I may need to book some time off in the run up to party. And cook and freeze layers.

My kitchen is covered in last night's creations refusing to dry. I thought air dry clay was supposed to - y'know - actually dry, fairly quickly ?

Love2Shop vouchers - did you spend them instore? I don't want to have to go to an actual shop (apart from letting the DC loose in The Works) but it looks as though I have no choice - House of Fraser are now doing deals on Le Creuset but I don't think they take the vouchers online

I used all of mine instore. I don't remember them having codes to be used online...

HELP

Ds2 just informed me this morning that actually he does want a birthday party this year after all! He will be 5 and has just started school.
So, I have 20 school mates and 5 family dc to invite.
Have managed at very short notice to book the church hall and have got invites and party bags, plates, cups etc from sainsburys...but I am Totally stuck for party game ideas :(
Please help!
There will be boys and girls attending.
Most aged 4-5.
The only thing I have gough of is a treasure hunt (but what if its bad weather!?)
Party food will be the usual...sandwiches, veg sticks, pizza, jelly, cakes etc
I have got a pirate themed cake, bunting and balloons.
What else do I need?

Badvoc - just think of standard party games and the pirate-ise them.

Musical chairs -> Musical islands (print them and scatter them around the floor (blutack advisable if the hall has a slippery floor))

What's the time Mr Wolf -> What's the time Captain Hook (needs a "volunteer" adult to play Captain Hook)

Pass the treasure chest (have yet to think that one through )

Pin the cutlass on the pirate

..I am sure there are lots more.

I should be able to be helpful what with planning a Jake and the Neverland Pirates party for about to be 4 year old DD but I'm afraid I haven't thought of any games yet.

I'm liking musical islands but we're only have 6 guests so probably not enough. I will be doing pass the treasure chest though.

I did see a fab looking hook toss game but I'm guessing you don't have the time to make one?

Are you planning on party bags or no party bags, Badvoc?

chocolate coins

pirate bubbles

(not that you have to do party bags, of course..)

or you could just send them all home with a parrot each

pirate ideas - I love the "pie-rates"

Will get choc coins...great idea.
Love the parrots stealth :) but it would cost me £25 :(
Like the apple and cheese pirate snacks too...will do those!
I am guessing the pass the chest game is just fill it with stuff and let them open it and choose something?...

I know parrots are pricy, but you could easily spend £25 on party bag tat and the bags themselves - if I were doing parrots, they would just get a parrot - nothing else - and the party would be forever remembered as "minibadvoc's party where we got parrots"

:) that's very true!
I am tempted....I might see how many RSVP....:)
Am def doing musical pirate islands, and pin the eye patch on the pirate, and pass the treasure chest.
You are a (pirate) genius stealth :)
I am thinking that those 3 games and food should take up the 2 hours of the party?
Would love details of the hook toss game please x

Just back from my run. Will look up the hook toss game again once I've had a shower.

I loved the pie-rate ideas blog. It reminded me that I want to make a watermelon shark :)

Also, I had an idea earier - because most of my guests are going to be girls, I was considering getting some beads and letting them make their own "treasure" (necklaces and bracelets) to take home? Too advanced for 4 year olds?

I might print this out to stick up on the wall :)

That's a lovely idea blather.
I've just ordered some tattoos - the parents will love me I'm sure :)
I wish I had the skill to make a watermelon shark, but I know my limits :)
Am planning on a toy from the treasure chest game each and then in the loot bag a piece of cake, choc coins and a small toy.
Is that ok do you think?

I face paint so I could do that but I know my kids love tattoos too.

My plan for party bags was chocolate coins, a candy necklace, some cheap plastic jewellery and maybe a few bits from the Party section in Tesco as I know they have mini pirate spy glasses and pencils and stickers really cheap.

I shall have to check tesco out...