C.F.
From my experience, there's nothing more fun or memorable than a slumber party. We do karaoke, make-your-own sundaes, and wind down with a movie. It's a lot less expensive than going somewhere, but a lot more work and cleanup. It's important to keep it a secret because it's impossible to invite everyone, and I try to avoid "high maintenance" kids (high drama, needy or argumentative). We have pizza for dinner and donuts for breakfast, and the girls just need to bring their PJ's sleeping bags, pillows and toothbrushes. I always have a huge lost-and-found pile afterwards. The goody bag parting gift is a craft they make during the party. Usually we make picture frames, then I take a group photo and a photo of each of the guests with the birthday girl, and I print them that night at a one-our photo so they can take them home with them the next morning.