Back to School Potluck and Swap

I don't know about you but I loath back to school shopping.  Before you get a school supply list from the teachers you decide to make your own.  Hey we all went to school supplies haven't changed that much in the past 20 years. So you check the ads, find the deals, go to your local store, and find everything you want is gone or costs way more than advertised.  So you buy a bunch of stuff and hope you have everything that your child wants or needs.  Then the first day of school the teacher sends home a supply list that is completely different from what you purchased and you have to go back to the store and buy more stuff.  To add insult to injury, your child hates the backpack and folders you bought because cute little kitties are no longer cool, so you grab another backpack and folders. Worst of all at  the end of the school year you discover 1/2 of the school supplies you purchased are still in the bag and you have unused backpacks and folders lying around and you end up giving or throwing it all away.  The crazy thing is we go out the next year and do it all over again. I say try something different, a Back to School Potluck and Swap Meet.

 So let's get started.

1) Set the Date-One or 2 weeks after the first day of school would be great. As an educator I can guarantee your child can survive on the basics of paper, pencils, pens, and what they had left over from the previous year for a week or two. 

2) Invite the guest- call, Evite, or Facebook invite, if you mail invitations, be creative make them look like old fashioned hall passes. Be sure to send the Swap rules with the invitations. (see below)

3) Ask the guest to bring extra school supplies, backpacks, clean uniforms, clothes, shoes, and even instruments for the swap.  Ask guest to turn in an inventory of what they will be bringing at least 1 week ahead of time.  All items should be dropped off at least 2 days ahead of time.  Have each participant sign a copy of the rules when they drop off their items.

4) Plan the menu-Assign each guest a school lunch item to bring (pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, beans, spaghetti, chicken, etc.) Be sure everyone is bring something different.

5) Assign items a point value (shirts- 5 points, 10 pencils-1 point, french horn 1000 points, etc.)  

6) Set up the Swap store.  Sort all items as you would see them in a retail store.  Sort clothes by size and style. 

7) On the day of the Swap each family should be given Swap Money (make it on your computer) equal to the points for what they have contributed to the Swap store.  

8) Set up a check out area and let the shopping begin.

9) While the shopping is going on have random games and contests for extra points.  (musical chairs, hula hoop, minute to win it games, etc.)

10) When the time for shopping is over everyone can enjoy all of the food served on lunch trays of course.

SWAP RULES

1) All items contributed to the Swap are no longer yours.  

2) No actual money can be exchanged at the Swap.

3) All items left at the end of the Swap will be given to charity or a local school.  This includes musical instruments and electronics. 

Bonus-The party can also run as a traditional Swap meet with everyone running their own table.  You would skip the inventory and drop off in step #3 and steps #5-9. There still should not be an exchange of money at any of the tables.  All participants will have to have their tables set up prior to the Swap.  Late arrivals should not be allowed to participate. You can still have games but not for shopping points. 

This party works for Christmas shopping also. 

Olympic Party

Even though the Olympic Games are coming to a close they will be on our minds for months to come.  Let's tap into the dreams, hopes, and imaginations of our children and have an Olympic Party.  This party can be for a birthday, cookout, fall festival, block party, or just because. Get the whole family and neighborhood involved even the pets. 

1) Guest- Your games will need to include everyone invited. Assign team colors and ask the guests to dress in their team colors.

2) Games- Use summer games for inspiration but be creative too. See suggested games below or check out Minute to Win It for games.

3) Menu- High energy refreshing snacks. Lots of water- plain and flavored with fresh fruit and herbs. Cut costs by asking each team to bring something to share.

3) Set a schedule. Send it out with the invitations.  Get every excited about being on time so they do not miss anything.  You also want your guest to be prepared to play. Trying to ride a bike in a skirt is no fun.

4) Flags- Cut a white sheet or piece of material into flag size rectangles (use pinking shears to prevent fray) provide blank flags and fabric markers to teams so they can create a flag before the games begin. If your teams are going to be divided by families cut costs by having them make and bring a flag with them.  The flags will be used for the Parade of Nations to start and finish the games. 

Suggested Games

Triathlon-run backward around the yard, jump rope 10 times, and 1 leg long jump.

3 legged dash- tie one adult to one child and have them race to the finish

Pop Star- provide dress up costumes and have teams compete to see who can do the best pop performance. ( Not really a contest but a great way to start or end your games.)

Water Ballon or Egg Toss- Two people from each team line up across from each other and toss the ballon/egg back and forth moving further apart after each toss.  If the ballon/egg is dropped the team is out.  The play continues until one team remains.

Stroller  Dash or Dog Run- take the baby or dog on a run around the block

Suggested Snacks

Granola
Raisins
Fruit - Bananas, Watermelon, Frozen Grapes and Berries are very refreshing.
Nuts
Trail Mix

Whodunit!!!

Mystery, Intrigue, Whodunit!  

This is a great party idea.  There are so many possibilities.  My first thoughts for this party go straight to the game of Clue and a kid friendly mystery dinner party.

Make magnifying glass shaped invitations.

When the guests arrive have them do their first activity. The first activity could be decorating/ personalizing pocket sized notebook and pen sets. Provide makers and stickers. They will need these for the main activity after dinner.

Next stage a crime toward the end of dinner; i.e. missing cupcakes, presents, pet, favorite toy, etc.  

The kids will need to follow a series of riddles and clues to lead them to the missing item and the culprit.  You can get your neighbors involved, place clues around the neighborhood, house, and yard.  If you have more than 6 kids I would suggest having 2 teams with different clues that lead to the answer.

Hints for a smooth party - Divide the teams yourself randomly pull names out of a hat or put stickers under their chairs before they arrive, anything that will keep them from arguing.  Assign 1 adult or older teen to each team if they will be leaving the yard at night.

Party favors could include magnifying glasses, flashlights, travel size clue game, spy glasses, fedoras, fake mustaches,  fingerprinting kits, etc.

Remember have fun and enjoy the party with the kids.

Desirae

Free Personalized Party Favors or Activity Kit

What kind of party do you want to have?  I have planned countless kids parties and I can tell you how to implement any number of them.  I also have new party ideas swimming around in my head.  So instead of me just throwing random ideas out, I need your help.  Post a comment below with your theme.  I will follow up with a plan.

One lucky party host will receive 8 personalized party favors or a 8 person party activity kit for Free.

Must be a Kids Just Want to Party follower to win. Party Favor or Party Activity will be chosen by me and will match the theme submitted. Items will be shipped USPS standard postage by August 24, 2012. Contest ends July 21, 2012.  Winner will be announced July 24, 2012.

Thanks for your help,

Desirae

Party in a Box

This is a great quick tip.  Buy a plastic bin with a lid to store all of your party supplies.  Keep reading to find out why.

When planning a party, some people go shopping the day before and grab all the matching items for their party theme at the local party supply store.  Other people go online to one of the big name party supply stores and buy one of their big party packs. When you shop this way you spend too much money and there are no personal touches.  I know what you are saying now, "But it is so easy.  I don't have time to shop around. "  Not true. You have plenty of time, 365 days, and it is super easy to do.  

Follow these steps and you will never overpay for party supplies again.  You won't wait until the last minute to buy them either.  After all your child has a birthday on the same day every year so it doesn't come as a surprise. 

1. Purchase generic supplies when they are on sale. When you are wondering around your local discount store look at those holiday clearance aisles.  I purchased a case of pink and red table clothes for $.10 each after Valentine's Day. Toys, stickers, pencils, etc can all be purchased ahead of time.

2. Do not throw away extra goodie bag toys after a party. Use them to fill a piñata or grab bag at a future party. 

3.  Unopened kid's meal toys are great prizes for games. They come in handy on long car trips and plane rides too.

4. Craft stores can be your best resource for activities. Buy foam stickers, beads, project kits, etc on sale at the end of the summer.  These items are sold in large camp sets.  Make sure you use coupons and Teacher/Military discounts also when purchasing.

5. Join Free Cycle you can request what you want and if someone has it they will just give it to you. People also post things they want to give away.

6. Organize all of your supplies.  Gallon Zipper Bags work best for this.  Place all like items in a bag together and label them ie. stickers, jewelry, cars, balloons, etc. Put all items in the bin.  Now before you go out and buy anything for a party check your bin first.

Stay tuned to learn how to get custom printed items for free.  

                                                                                                     

  

Kids Parties Cost Too Much

Over the years I have noticed some clear trends in kids parties.  The main trend is they are getting more and more expensive.  We are constantly hearing that the economy is bad, people are out of work, and they can't afford the basics.  This doesn't seem true when it comes to having birthday parties for our kids. Gone are the days of the basic party, complete with hot dogs, chips, a homemade cake, and Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

Parents are not only competing with the other parents in the school to have the best party money can buy, they are competing with shows such as "My Super Sweet 16" to making their 1 year old feel special. Your 5 year old doesn't have to have a $5,000 party to feel special.  I mean if you can afford it I am not hating but if you don't have $5000 in your party budget I can teach you how to make it look like you do.

I can guarantee you if you follow my advice you can have a great party on any budget.   I just recently did a party for 24 girls that included food, favors. banners, custom fairy wands, headbands, decorations, party clothes, cotton candy, and 4 activities. The party was less than 2 hours long and cost less than $200.  Everyone had a great time including the parents.  

With that said, I know I am not the only person who knows how to party on a budget. Let's share this site and help each other out.  

                                                            Let's have some Blessed Parties,

                                                                                                

                                                                                              Desirae