An Occasion for Celebration

It’s easy to find an excuse to host a celebration. From lazy summer garden parties to kick-off the farmer's market season, to bringing friends together for a themed book club evening, or even a cozy "hygge" game night gathering for Winter Solstice and the holidays. You can receive so much joy and energy from the creative process of planning an event. First, you get to decide the occasion and theme. Then, there is the designing of the invitation and any handouts or decorations. Finally, you can't forget the menu, libations, and treats.

Otherworldly Birthday Parties

One of the easiest ways to create memorable occasions is to host a child's birthday party. When our oldest son turned six, he was enamored with Harry Potter and magic, yet he also adored the beach. So, I designed a mash-up "Harry Potter Beach Party" for him and his friends. The children had a ball creating their custom magic wands, drinking cream soda "butter beer" out of frosty mugs, playing our version of Quidditch in the garden, devouring a Hogwarts sandcastle cake, and crafting Hawaiian paper leis.  

The following year, our son was fascinated by ancient Egypt, so I conceived an Ancient Egyptian Expedition party. The party goers took turns wrapping one another up as mummies, made bookmarks with hieroglyphics, enjoyed green "beetle juice" and mini pyramid cakes, and played hot potato with a tiny black stuffed Anubis. 

Even the boys' grandmother, who is a huge Harry Potter fan, was thrilled with her surprise Hogwarts birthday party. Our boys each drew her an owl on butcher paper, they made her "mermaid glass" jewelry, and granted her a Certificate of Magic.