These party ideas for a first birthday party came to me while I was enjoying the 18th birthday celebration of a niece. I was thinking back and wondered why didn't we do a special time capsule that we could bring out for her today.

My time capsule idea is to throw a first birthday party, as you normally would, but you'll want to have a few extra items:

• Note cards that have the babies name imprinted on them. These cards will be handed out to the party attendees; aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, and so forth. Have them write on these cards special sayings or wishes for the baby.
• Also purchase one of those novelty newspapers that has all the big events that happened on the baby's birthday. Hire a videographer or if you're into videoing do it yourself. Video all the party and just like the note cards have each party member, give a good piece of advice for the baby that they will need when they turn eighteen.
• Don't forget to include music. If possible, get a CD with the most popular songs of year. You could play this CD during the party if you like and that way it will also be in the video or you can have the videographer incorporate it into a video production for you.

You can do this each subsequent year for each birthday party, and then at their 18th birthday you can bring out your time capsule of memories. This time capsule captures their life and keeps all the mementos in an easy to keep and easy to add-to way.

I know my sister-in law wished I would have thought of this idea 18 years ago. Oh, I almost forgot! You'll need a good secure box that can contain the capsule items. Also, label it well so you can keep up with it year after year.

Chalk Theme Party

This party idea came to by way of my neighbor, an ever inventive father of two. His daughter’s birthday was soon approaching. Since he is a single father in need of party help, I suggested he choose a party theme related to one of his daughter's favorite activities. It seems Christina, 4 soon to be 5, was into drawing. In fact, her dad said he had works of art everywhere in his house.

So the party girl was into drawing and this lead to Chris (the father) to decide a party outside on his driveway would work. His plan was to get several tubs of sidewalk chalk for the entertainment part of the party. The little party Picassos could draw all over his driveway to their hearts content.

The day before the party Chris power washing his driveway and sets up some tables he rented. On the day of the party, I helped him by stringing some colorful streamers and balloons, as well as assembling the party favors bags. Each child received a bag of party favors containing coloring books with crayons, black craft paper with chalk (black works best for chalk) and some bubble gum and assorted candies. The cake was an airbrushed version of one of his daughter’s art pieces. The cake was so cool! Christiana squealed with delight when she saw her own drawing on her birthday cake. Between the cake, the party favors and sidewalk chalk entertainment, the kids had a blast. Chris could not have picked a better party theme for Christina's birthday party.

I suggest, if your going to have Chalk It Up Party, you do it in early spring or early fall. Driveways either cement or asphalt get extremely hot during the summer months and can burn bare feet and knees. You’ll find this theme is a minimal effort party that young kids can enjoy. As a parent you can pull it together in a short amount of time and clean up is a breeze.

Planning A Party For Your Pre-teen Daughter?

Of course you can always do a party for your tween girl using the many tween idols of the day; Hannah Montana or High School Musical.  While these are great themes, every party your child has been to in the last six months has been a Hannah Montana party. UGH!! By now you've grown tired of the same theme, but your tween's birthday is drawing near. So what to do?

Creating Your Own Teenage Superstar

Ask yourself what does my tween girl want? To be glamorous and dress up like older (teenage) girls. You know the phrase 12 going on 20.  So for one day, her birthday allow her to be a teenager (with full adult supervision of course). Employ a teenage girl and maybe her friends to do the tween girls make up and hair.  Buy a few inexpensive foundations, and eye shadows, lipstick for the teenagers to use on tweens. Create a runway decorated with streamers and lights. Have the tweens walk the runway as the teenagers vote on who has the best style. You can even give the winner a special prize. For party favors give mini little lip gloss along with some inexpensive nail polish and bracelets. Hanging out with real teenages is the best part for these tweens.

If it is a small party, you can have the tweens make their own pizza. If not, order pizza from your local pizza parlor. For the "cake” choose something unusual like cup cakes or fancy cookies. Create a special drink for the tweens or serve an assortment of canned sodas.

Using a popular tween idol for a themes is certainly okay, but it can also be fun for you to do a creative party such as the one above.  Plus this is an added bonus teenagers like to be idolized by the younger set as well so you get bring the two groups together.

A great party idea for a teen party or a kids party is to make it a "favorite things" party. This idea works whether they’re 12 or 18, boy or girl. Although, this idea might be best for a 13^th, 16^th or 18^th birthday party.

Have the event on their favorite day of the week, choose invitations in their favorite color, decorate with their favorite team colors or theme. For example, if they really love a particular baseball team, decorate with those colors and set up the site to look like a stadium. Serve their favorite baseball foods, beverages and dessert. For activities, choose their favorite games and movies, along with their favorite movie snacks.

Another party idea is to have your guests dress in accordance with the theme. You can also do this if the birthday boy or girl is really into a particular hobby or if they love a certain vacation destination, like music or the beach.

The important thing with this teen party idea is knowing your guest of honor. So if it is a surprise, enlist the help of his or her friends. This way you can really tailor the party tho their favorite things. Including their interests will make this an unforgettable birthday party that truly reflects their unique personality and style. What would be an ordinary party will become a fabulous celebration.