Women only parties

Baby showers and bridal showers are often women only. But I’ve been to just for fun women’s parties – most recently Bunco parties. The ones I went to had prizes for the winner, the one with the most buncos, and whoever ended up with the necklace. To pay for the prizes we each contributed $5. The loser got their $5 back. Different gals brought food and the hostess provided beverages. We had a lot of fun, got to get acquainted with ladies we didn’t know before, and of course, enjoyed talking and snacking.

Here are some other games that might be fun – haven’t personally tried them, but would like to:

Visual Eyes Game by Buffalo Games
- Shake 19 dice to display thousands of combinations of simple icons. Now Quick! - take down all the words and phrases you can spot before your opponents. Creativity counts.

Buffalo Games Imaginiff Game
- Imaginiff is the hilarious party game where your opinion matters and you find out what people really think of you. Assuming you want to know, of course. The object of the game is simple! Just imagine what the other players are most like. Keep choosing the most popular answers to win the game. iMAgiNiff your boss were an animal? Would he be a Sheep dog?... or maybe a Bull?

Last Word Game by Buffalo Games
- The ultimate creative party game. Be the first Player to advance to the Finish by creatively connecting Subjects and Letters, while racing a Random-Interval Timer and the other Players! For example, Subject: "Vegetables"... Letter: "C". Players yell out... Carrots! Cucumbers! Corn! Cauliflower! 'tick-tick' ... The player with the Last Word before the timer sounds advances.

Here are more “Games for women’s parties” at Diva Girl Parties.

IBY has a whole section of “Girl Time” invitations. This is my personal favorite: Girls Night Out Banner Click here to read more!

The goody bag

I remember the days of looking for inexpensive ideas to fill goody bags for my children’s birthday parties. I wish I’d had so many internet choices as we do now. One of my favorite places to shop these days is the Jungle Store. And I found out they had a whole goody bag section! So if you want some animal themed items check them out.

A good place to go in person is dollar stores and dollar sections in stores like Target.

Sometimes though instead of a good bag per se, it’s fun to do a craft project together and each child gets to take their craft home. Here are some fun ideas from Arsa Toys.

For Girls
-Bracelet Kit for $15 by Fashion Angels - Wrist Pix
-Fashion Angels has a jewelry kit to make all kinds of fun jewelry - Bead Party! Jewelry Workshop

For Boys
-Fast Car Race Cars Pull Back kit - only 3 cars come in this set for $15 – but what a cool project.

For Either
-When I was a kid we only got to do spin art at the county fair, but you can have your own machine for only 20 bucks! My Art Spinner - Alex
-Mask making using a small paper plate – adults may want to cut the eye holes – but then use miscellaneous craft items to decorate. If you need a good supply of craft material – check this out: Giant Art Jar - Alex
-Makit and Bakit Sparkling Decorations
-Foam Craft Workshop- Scratch Art

Some of the birthday invitations that have been ordered quite a bit lately on our site are related to science experiments--another fun activity at a party. I think this one is my favorite: Mad Scientist, but this one is fun, too: Slime Time Click here to read more!

St. Paddy’s

How are you planning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? One year a friend of ours introduced us to the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage and Boiled Potatoes meal. Makes me hungry just thinking about it. Cook the cabbage in the broth from cooking the corned beef and it is very tasty. Of course, adding butter to the potatoes is good, too.

Restaurants and bars often have green drinks or foods in honor of the day.

Want some recipes for celebrating? Food Network has a whole section.

But maybe you want to plan a party for the fun of it. Here are some resources.

For the Younger Set
Kid’s Party Fun has St. Patrick’s ideas for kids.

St. Patrick's Day Games and Activities for Kids at Kaboose

St. Patrick's Day Games & Party Ideas for Kids, Family & Classroom

St. Patrick's Day Crafts, Activities & Recipes from Family Fun

For the Older Set
Some Irish Drinking Toasts and more

Creative Homemaking has even more ideas.

Invites
Plus check out the fun invitations we have at IBY that are designed for the day. Click here to read more!

Teen birthday party themes

Teens may or may not want a party theme, but it sure makes decorations easy if you have one. Sometimes a theme can be sparked off of something the teen loves, does, or wants to do. It might be inspired by a food, an invitation, or from a list such as one from the references below.

Love to Know not only has good ideas, but some questions to consider

Discovery Center has an article on “Teen birthday party ideas.”

About.com offers an article called “Teen Birthday Party Planner.”

The Teen Party Ideas website has a whole section.

Another article “Birthday Party Ideas for Teen Girls: Throw a Party They'll Love” focuses on girls.

Boardman’s Birthday Party Ideas site also has a teen section.

Of course, doing matching invitations is fun. IBY.com now has a teen birthday section. And remember you can customize the wording to fit your teen and party. Click here to read more!

Calligraphy markers & Fill-in Invitations

Can’t afford printed invitations? But don’t want to use fill-ins because you don’t have good handwriting? Don’t despair! Get fill-in invitations and buy calligraphy markers—these special pens turn regular hand-printing into special printing. They are easy to use and come in different thicknesses of marker. Calligraphy markers can be found at Office Supply stores and Art Supply Stores and are less than $10 for a package of 5 or 6.

And we have tons of fun fill-ins to choose from. Here are some of my favorites.

Fairy Fill-in
Fish Bowl Die Cut Fill-in
Kitty Die Cut Fill-in
Party Bubbles Die Cut Fill-in
Robot Die Cut Fill-in Click here to read more!

Fill-In Thank Yous for Kids

It’s good to teach kids how to say thank you, but it can be painful for them to have to write a note. IBY has a cute and simple option – Fill-In Thank You Cards. http://www.iby.com/Fill-in-Items/Thank-You. They come 8 or 10 to a package. See some samples from our many themes below.

Princess Die Cut Thank You Fill-in
Trophy Die Cut Thank You Fill-in
Boy Circles Fill In
Ice Cream Stretchie Thank You Fill-in

Some of my coworkers wish they could use these, too… Click here to read more!

Couple Showers

When I got married, bridal showers were the only option for brides. But five years later when I had my first baby I was introduced to the concept of “couple showers” when a baby shower was given for both my husband and myself and our baby (back in 1980 we didn’t know what she’d be!). Now I see couple showers for weddings and babies. And why not? Both are going to enjoy the gifts given. Both can have fun at a party. I think one of the things I like best about couple showers is that most of the really dumb games have been dumped. Food, friends, and presents are enough for a good party for adults. Click here to read more!

Fun birthday party idea

A friend just told me about a Puppy Party for young elementary age kids or preschoolers. The mom has ordered a variety of stuffed animal puppy dogs from The Jungle Store. Each child at the party will get to pick a puppy and name it. Mom has prepared “birth certificates” for these stuffed animals. Plus, as a craft the children will be making collars for their puppy. (The puppy picture is $8.)

I could see this being done with a variety of animals. And invitations that might compliment this party idea come in fill in variety and printables.
Poodle Fill-in
Girl Dog Die Cut Fill-in
Spot the Dog
Puppies and Kittens

Click here to read more!