Seeking Ideas for My Daughters 13 Birthday.

Hi M.,

A fun idea for before the boy/girl party is for the girls to get a makeup instruction or nail care party from a M. Kay consultant. I am an ex-consultant and birthday parties were high on my list. You can find a local consultant by visiting www.marykay.com.

W. Q

Hi M.-
I asked a real expert about this one...my 13 year old daughter! Mackenzie suggested a Winter Wonderland themed party with everyone dressed in white and all of the decorations in white and silver! I know that this sounds overwhelming, but I think it could be done for any budget!

First, you need to choose a venue. I would check with local government centers, gyms, schools, etc, for use of their facilities or gyms. One of the neat parties my kids went to was at the Creve Coeur Gov't Center Gym. These places are actually big enough to set up tables at one end, games at another, and have dancing and such in the middle. You could make the decorations out of cardboard, posterboard and/or foamcore board. You could purchase them in bulk, either in white or paint them white. You can cut them out in shapes of the season: snowflakes, snowmen, stars,angels, etc. You could then decorate with silver glitter and paint pens. These could be strung up from on high...if you're in a gym, you could tie them together on huge 'lines'so they would be ready to run from end to end or side to side. You could also use Silver streamers, silver garlands, icicles and white lights...the possibilities are endless. The day after Christmas sales would be perfect for the lights and garlands, etc! Table centerpieces could be the fake 'snow' that you just add water to which is just like what they use on the slopes in warm climates! It never melts! Mirrors, candles and hurricane lamps could complete the look!

You could serve all sorts of 'winter' foods, from hot chocolate with marshmallows to rice crispy treats made into 'snowballs'! I'm sure you could figure that out! The games are pretty easy, there are lots online...and if you hire a DJ company, they do ALL of them for you without any worries.

Make sure that your young beauty wears some color other than white. She needs to wear baby blue or pink...something that will stand out, but still shows that she is a YOUNG lady (since that won't last long!).

Good luck and post some photos (send to me!) if you use any of the ideas-Mackenzie and I would love to see how it turns out. Her birthday is in November so she may use the theme for her Sweet Sixteen!

*K.*

Have a party with music,finger foods,punch.You know the normal.Let your daughter pick some music to be played.I'm not sure of the price for a DJ but they are really popular at teenager parties.One big thing like that makes up for a lot.You can search the web for party games for her age group.Most of the time you'll have mostly what you'll need.

I know how you feel. I have a son turning 13 in January. I am planning to have his party at a hotel with a pool, since he has never been able to have a pool party. Also, they won't tear up my house! My sister did this also when my neice turned 13. But if your dtr wants to have 30 or so kids at her party, you could have a theme dance at your home (where you can keep an eye on the boy/girl thing!) or at a friends house if you don't feel comfortable with having all those kids at your house. 80's party's are always fun. You could ask some of the parents to help chaperone and bring snacks. It's also fun to have the adults dress up too. That would be the most economical thing to do, I think.

As we both know turning 13 puts you into teenage existence finally. For both of my daughters big day we had a bon fire, roasted marshmellows and made smores. Told ghost stories and had a scavenger hunt, they got to invite both boys and girls and as a special gift I got them a bracelet with there name engraved on front and love to my 13 yr. old, mom. they are both in there 20's now but still have there bracelets and alot of memories. You could do a video diary with friends wishing her happy birthday wishes she could keep forever and maybe a scrap book with photos and reminders of that special day. good luck T., K.

If you live here in Emporia, I know alot of kids that have been having dances at the Recreation Center. I heard that it is not to expensive to rent. Add a few snacks and some good music and they'll have a blast.

Hi M.,
We tried to take the kids to Chuck E Cheese this past weekend and there were so many alder kids, we turned around and waited until early Sunday. My Grandchildren are 2 2year olds and one is 3. But these days, TEENAGERS FIND THIS PLACE TO BE WHERE THE ACTGION IS IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. BUT, THEN AGAIN, KIDS ARE FUNNY. I AGREE, 50 IS TOO MANY, 30 IS TOO MANY IF YOU'RE ASKING ME. YOU SET THE LIMIT AND ASK HER WHERE AND WHAT SHE WANTDS TO DO. NO SURPRISES. BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD AND TELL HER TO GIVE YOU A BREAK, THE HOLIDAYS JUST PASSED

Not sure if this is something you would have in mind.. WE did this for YEARS!!!!!

a movie party at our house!! a new releas was always out at Brandon's b day.. So we did some work decorated the house in that movie theam and invited the class... not all woudl show up.. but enought to make it fun.. I did up goodie bags and had popped our yummy boy scout popcorn * Ok Plug for the boys scouts their popcorn is the best!!! and layed out some old blankets and let the kids have fun!!!! and they did!!! they even watched the whole movie!! then had some fun play time... then cake and gifts and then my favorite part.. THEY WENT HOME!!!!

IF not that... See about how many for sure.. In bloomington they have that pro time fun whatever putt putt golf thing.. Not sure how much.. but they do partys....

HAPPY B day Early!!!!

My birthday is the same day as your daughter's. I know how hard it that time of the year. Most of the time I wasn't able to have a party because of the whole snow deal. Tell her to maybe slim down her party list and invite like 5 boys and 5 girls or something like that.

If she is into sports...a tailgate party, or a bonfire party at your home could be something to think about for boy/girl options.

Hi how about looking in your area for a cheap hall and ask all of the kids to bring thier favorite cds, go to sams for the cake its the cheapest place to buy one and you said she wanted to invite 50 kids more than likely only 30 will show up! You can get deli meat or make food from home make sure they rsvp so you know the amount of food to get i had a party as cheap as possible with 50 people there it cost 500-6oo dollars.

Hope this helps and she has a great party i have one turning 13 in july!!!!