Splash into an Unforgettable Pool Party Birthday

Ah, it’s time for a pool party! The bright sunshine and long, lazy days of summer are finally here.  Cool water and tropical decorations coupled with the ease and simplicity that pool party planning offers will make this the perfect choice for your upcoming summer birthday bash.

There is no doubt that an outdoor party at one’s home or at a club is ideal for busy parents who want built-in entertainment.  Host a pool party for your little swimmer’s next birthday and watch the fun unfold as they join in entertaining games like a water balloon toss in the pool or on land.

Set up a table with small gift prizes and number them on the front. Kids can pull a floating duck out of the pool and choose the prize with the corresponding number that you’ve written on the bottom of the ducky.  And of course, no little one goes home empty handed when there is a party pinata! A beach ball themed piñata fits right in with your theme and can be filled with goodies and trinkets to fill loot bags . Finally,  cool your little fishies down with frozen sweet treats.  Don’t forget to provide some sunscreen, too.

Pool parties are also a great choice for teenagers. Your preteen or sweet sixteen honoree will love having her friends sit poolside to soak in some vitamin D while tossing inflatable beach balls at each other and sipping on iced cold lemonade. You can even ask younger siblings to interview guests, host silly games, or narrate the party’s happenings for a video keepsake.

Creatively decorate outdoor tables and serve up snacks with pizzazz on  sweet treat partyware or tropical summer plates .  Stay cool as a cucumber with chilled fruit bites, fresh veggies, and a snow cone station! Hanging decorations like tiki lanterns strung around the patio add to the tropical feel.  Cool shades and some tunes will top it all off.

But hold on, don’t let the young ones have all the fun. Throw a 40th or 50th luau themed birthday pool party for the young at heart. An island themed event at sunset is just the ticket. Set the mood with some steel drum music and  tabletop tiki lanterns or coconut shaped votives.

Serve up tropical frozen daiquiris from a tabletop tiki bar in delightful, authentic coconut cups and top them off with festive umbrella picks.  Grill pineapple slices alongside chicken or burgers and cube the fruit to skewer with delightful fruit shaped picks.  Finally, really get the party rockin’ when you test out the flexibility of guests with a fun limbo game and an island music CD to shimmy and shake to.

There is no doubt that anyone and everyone will enjoy a cool, pool party this summer whether it’s beachside, at the local neighborhood pool, or right in your own backyard. Come on and join in the fun.  Surf’s up!

My Timeline Since 1997 – Create a Personalized Sweet 16 Birthday Party

Your little girl or boy is growing up. She has been growing up, after all. All this time, all these years, he never stops getting bigger and she never stops becoming more beautiful. Still, she’s your little girl and he’s your little boy. This year, for that sweet 16 party, remind your “little one” of where they came from, and remind yourself of how far your growing child has come, with a party based on memories with a personalized timeline.

Invitations

The invitations can set the tone for your party theme. Find a few milestone pictures, either from different ages in your child’s life or from important events, and create customized cards with the pictures. Alternatively, let the birthday teenager pick the colors and have him or her choose from any number of personalizable invitations for a Sweet 16. After all, it is their special day. Just don’t forget to pick out matching thank you cards.

Remember when she was THIS little?

Banners

Set up a photo card standee with pictures and scanned copies of memory keepsakes. Since we live in a time that is increasingly digital, if you can find an audio clip from her childhood – such as the sound of laughter – you can record up to 20 seconds on an audio chip and set it near the photo board to play when guests come near (it’s motion activated!). Don’t forget the banner stands or bungee cords to get the placement absolutely perfect.

Standees

Don’t think for a second that several life-size standees will be “too embarrassing” for her Sweet 16. From Big Heads to full body cardboard cutouts, those who have tried them have reported nothing but delight and admiration from the person they were modeled after. Plus, how fun will it be to have your “little girl” be able to pose with herself… when she was little?

It will be a party to remember.

Collect all those memories!

Have your guests write down notes for the birthday girl (or boy) about their favorite memory of her, or her best qualities, and put them in a tote bag or little personalized candy jars as centerpieces. You could also have them write in permanent marker on a photo banner–whatever you prefer. Tell them they can sign the notes or leave it anonymous, as long as it is nice. Give every party guest a candy jar with candies in it before they leave!
Don’t forget the sugary goodness!

No Sweet 16 would be complete without a little bit of birthday cake. This Sweet Station centerpiece can be painted before you put cupcakes on it to match the birthday girl’s favorite colors, if you wish, to really up the ante on the party. Additionally, the circles and round layers fit the theme of the passage of time to help truly pull together a fun party that not only looks back, but looks forward, as well.