Ask the Party Expert...

Dear Party Expert,

My daughter is going to be 8 in March and we are really stuck this year.  There will be only 4 children and they want to finish off having a pizza at a restaurant where you can make your own....although that is not written in stone.
 
I have suggested swimming, horse riding, bowling, cinema, etc... nothing got her excited..... any ideas?   Gillian B.

Hi Gillian-

The pizza idea you mention could be the theme of the entire party.  And it
will probably be one none of your daughter's friends have had before.  You
can still use the make your own pizza idea as a wrap-up.  But, I have a
little twist you might want to consider.  Since, there will only be five
children including your daughter, you might want to consider making the
pizzas at your house.  Before you nix the idea, read on.

SHOPPING EXCURSION
Take the crew on a shopping trip to purchase the ingredients for a
build-a-pizza party.  Have parents drop the kids off at your house first. 
Explain the party plan to all.  You will purchase pizza shells, bagels, or
pizza crust (found in the dairy case), sauce and cheese.  Each child will
receive an envelope with a few dollars in to purchase the toppings she would
prefer.  Give the birthday girl another envelope with money to buy the drinks
for the evening.  Give the kids a chance to discuss their favorite toppings. 
Encourage shared toppings to pull funds together.  (This actually is a fun
lesson, too.)  You can always suggest various toppings.  After the plans are 
made, off to the store you and the gang will go.  (Make sure each one has her
envelope.)  They'll have a blast choosing and purchasing supplies.  Since
you'll most likely have a cake, tell the partygoers they can spend any
leftover money on snacks. 

Once you're home again, allow the kids to make their pizzas.  Play favorite
songs on a stereo or put on their favorite radio station.   To avoid big
messes, cover your preparation area with a disposable tablecloth and give
each child an old shirt to wear over top their clothes.  (Or when you send
out the invitation, you can ask each one to bring a work shirt.)  Try to set
up a decorated table in another area.  Tie helium balloons on your daughter's
chair. 

THE INVITE
If you can find mini-pizza pans or foil-type pizza pans inexpensively, use
these for invitations.  (You will have to hand deliver the message.)  Write
the information on the pans with a permanent marker.

TAKE-HOME IDEAS
You can make a fun certificate for each attendee.  CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION.  

 This certificate honors Mary Jo Rulnick for attending Gillian's (put your
daughter's name here) pizzeria and specializing in customized pizzas. 
CONGRATULATIONS. 

A theme-related take home gift could be aprons and/or a chef's hat.  Check
your dollar/discounts stores for these items.  Party stores might carry these
at a higher price. 

And lastly, offer to wrap and send home a slice or two with each child.  That
is, if there are any leftovers.  :>)

Hmmm!  Save me a slice.

Enjoy!
Mary Jo
Every Day Should Be A Party Day!

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