The Good Ol' Goody Bag

     Ohhhh those pesky goody bags.  While helping plan many children’s parties this past year, the goody bag has been a hot topic for parents.  Usually these little prizes are handed out as the kids are leaving and contain candy and little plastic trinkets from Oriental Trading Company.  Many parents wonder if the kids would even notice if they just skipped the tradition.  It’s not so much about what’s inside the goodie bag but rather  just the act of giving each guest a little something.  You remember when you were in school and the teacher would give out little treats for good answers or nice behavior.  It wasn’t so much that I was dying to have an eraser shaped like a bear but that it was about that feeling of getting rewarded.  So where is the balance?  

Goody bags are more appropriate when there are a handful of guests.  If you are inviting the whole neighborhood and have lots of kids of different ages then don’t even think about trying to fit a goody bag in there.

Make them identical.  Fairness is important to little ones.  The goody bag usually happens at the end of the party and all those little ones have been working hard to stay well behaved for over an hour.  These sort of social situations are hard work so make it easy on them.  Include a message thanking them for coming and making the birthday girls day so special.

Handmade Gift Bags from Royal D's

Consider making the goody bag itself a great gift.  If you are crafty make a little draw string treasure bag that the kids can store their Barbie shoes in.  Check out these adorable handmade princess themed purse shaped goody bags from Royal D’s.  She hand crafts each one from her home studio in Grimes, Iowa.  At $2 a piece for the minis, it’s so affordable and your guests are guaranteed to play with them long after the party.  Find them in her etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/RoyalDs 

Don’t feel like you have to stuff the bag full of stuff.  Parents will appreciate their child receiving less stuff so use tissue paper or other packaging.

Cliches are over done for a good reason.  They are tried and true!  Don’t overlook stickers.  Kids adore stickers and they won’t rot teeth or spend decades in the landfill.  Lip balm or mini nail polish can be bought in bulk packages and then divided up.  Tiny bubbles like you see at weddings are great and a touch of food coloring and/or glitter will make them fit the theme.  If you want to go the plastic trinket rout try toy rings and Marti Gras beads.  If you want to do candy try a candy necklace and a candy ring pop.

Princess Cake for a party

www.realprincessesomaha.com

                 Make your party extra special by adding a personalized ruffle Princess Cake.  Choose your birthday girl's favorite color or pick colors that will match her dress.  This lovely cake serves 12-15 guests and comes in a variety of flavors. 

The sun was a lemon drop, catching my eye
Gleaming a twinkle in butterscotch sky
And white candy cotton just floated on by
That's just how it was, and I never would lie





Celtic Princess Party in Omaha

             We are introducing our Celtic Princess.  In honor of our newest edition, here are a few quick tips to help pull your Scottish themed birthday party together! 

          The highlands are a rugged terrain so stick with green and natural flowers.  Thistles!  They are beautiful but tough.  Clover is lucky and beautiful.

         Become one with nature.  Here in Nebraska we can find natural objects to boost the woodsy feel.  Branches, cross sections of a log, pine-cones, and pebbles.  You might know someone who has deer shed antlers or turkey feathers!

From bravobride.com

             Respect the plaid!  Your family plaid could be any color.  Grab a yard and make buntings, bows, and sashes for your guests.  If you need to divide your guests into teams for games you can have them wearing different color plaids. 

             There are so many options for games.  Look to highland games for inspiration and create your own silly challenges of strength.

The possibilities are endless.  

A Magical Time at PTO Carnival

              The princesses had a lovely time at the PTO carnival.  One of my favorite moments was when a little girl was visiting with Cinderella and she was so excited to tell her, "I dress up like you all the time."  Another little girl saw Beauty and she reached out to her.  Princess Beauty knelt down to give her a hug and then the little girl whispered in her ear, "I've been waiting to meet you my whole life!"  I have to say that Beauty's eyes became a little foggy.  It was so wonderful to meet all the little prince and princesses of Conestoga Elementary School.  Thanks again for inviting us!


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Real Princesses Omaha Children's Party Entertainment at the Conestoga PTO Carnival

Children's Birthday Party Entertainment Princess Party in Omaha

                       Are you planning a children's birthday party in the Omaha metro area?  You may have considered hiring professional entertainment.  Renting a clown or a magician is a classic choice but there are lots of options you might not have considered.  Real Princesses Omaha is a party planning service specializing in children's parties.  Two storybook princesses arrive at your door for the party wearing elaborate handmade gowns.  They will play games with the children, they will tell stories, they will do crafting, and they will complete the magical afternoon with a tea party.  Young boys and girls adore princesses.  And why not?  Princesses are beautiful through and through.  Their smiles shine and their eyes sparkle.  They are kind and sweet but also brave and full of adventure!  When a child meets a princess for the first time it truly is a magical moment.

You can meet a real priness

Storybook Princess Theme Birthday Party Ideas

       For younger children small parties are best.  Keep the guest list to eight of her closest friends.  It's difficult not to invite the entire class because we don't want to hurt any feelings or let anyone feel left out but trying to accommodate an entire class of girls at a party can be overwhelming and stressful.  Make sure she brings a treat to all her classmates at school the day of her birthday but keep the weekend party to a manageable size.

This party took place in the meeting room of a retirement village.  There was plenty of space and a full kitchen.

     
         If you are nervous about, guest parking, moving furniture, or hiding your grandmother's fragile vase in an upstairs closet you may consider renting a room.  Rented rooms often come with a table and may have a sink and refrigerator.  You can usually come in ahead of time to do a little decorating.  You would be surprised how many local businesses have back rooms to rent.  In papillion, Tripoint coffee on the main street has a lovely meeting room that can accommodate 30 people and is freshly remodeled and rents by the hour at a very reasonable rate.  Sometimes banks and other businesses have meeting rooms they will rent.  Perhaps your workplace rents out an entertaining space to employees.  Another option is a hospitality room at a hotel.  These are small party rooms with kitchens and can be rented  by the hour.


      Decorating is a snap when you choose a theme for your party.  We are using a story book theme.  Buntings are really  popular right now but instead of bothering with sewing you can use pieces of scrapbook paper cut into triangles.  I found this design on Adventuroo and you can get the instructions here.

A great craft activity for the children would be to to  create a tiny story book using pieces of scrapbook paper.  I found a great little book shaped like a matchbook on Cut Out & Keep.  You can see how it is done here.

It's nice to keep food bite sized.  Try to choose recipes that can be done ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator.  We set all the food out at the start but you can also bring out snack items one at a time throughout the party.  If you are worried about stains stay away from red drinks and dark chocolate cakes.  If the girls are dressed up then their mothers will appreciate it.

When you are preparing food, prepare something special for the parents on the sidelines.  It's nice when parents come in and  stay during the party.  Children tend to be less stressed and more behaved when their mom or dad is right in the other room.  Treat parents who stay to chips and dip or sandwiches.  If you keep them happy, maybe they will help you tidy up afterward.

Princess Party Omaha

The perfect touch to a story book themed birthday party is to invite a real life story book character.  Check to see if you can hire a storybook princess in your area.  Real Princesses Omaha serves the Omaha metro area and specializes in birthday parties.  They will bring two princesses to your party to play games and craft with the children.  There is also a royal assistant who will be your helper and will set up and clean up all the activities.

www.realprincessesomaha.com

               Don't forget to keep it simple.  It's important that you are not too busy to enjoy this special day!

nursery rhyme characters have been frosted onto the cupcakes!