At some point in their young lives, most little girls go through a princess phase. They might be enchanted by the ideas of castles, horses, ball gowns and sparkling tiaras or they could have seen a Disney movie that captured their hearts.
If your daughter asks for a princess party when her birthday rolls around, here are some ideas to make the day unique and memorable.
Just remember: although there's a plethora of princess products on the market, you don't have to go with a commercial princess theme. You can save money and add a personal touch to the party by creating the decorations and supplies yourself.
Princess Party Invitations
Princess parties should be announced in a royal fashion. Send invitations that use a fancy text and glitter. They could be shaped like horses, unicorns, tiaras, glass slippers or rainbows.
You could paint your own pretty princess picture or make something simple, like a cutout of the age your child is turning with a tiara perched on top of the number.
Speaking of tiaras, how about delivering one plastic tiara to each party guest with a tag attached that lists the who, what, where and when of the party? Somewhere on the card, ask the girls to wear their new crowns to the party. If boys are invited, replace the tiaras with crowns or inflatable toy swords (compare prices).
You could also make an old-fashioned looking party invitation by printing out the party information on paper using an elaborate font, dipping the paper in dark tea to age it, letting it dry and rolling it up like a scroll.
Princess Party Decorations
When it comes to princess party decorations, think pink! Pink plates, pink napkins, pink streamers, pink balloons.
Or, go with a regal purple or the birthday girl's favorite colors.
Here are some other princess decorating ideas:
- To give basic party hats a princess touch, cut a piece of tulle that's about six inches by 18 inches long. Tie a double knot at one end, then pull the unknotted end through the small opening at the top of the hat, creating a tail of fabric that flows behind the guests as they wear the hats. The double knot should catch at the top of the hat, preventing the tulle from sliding out. If the opening at the top is too wide, though, staple or tape the knotted end of the tulle in place.
The boys can wear crowns or black or silver party hats to resemble knights.
- Hang a unicorn or rainbow piñata that's filled with small toys and candy.
- Order an arch of rainbow-colored balloons from a balloon business or make one yourself using a balloon arch kit. Display it over the food or gift table or place it near your front door so the guests must walk under it to enter the party.
- Purchase a bubble-making machine and let it run throughout the party so soap bubbles constantly float around the party guests.
- Cover chairs with organza slipcovers, which you can purchase or make yourself following directions in the book Handmade Soirees by Kaari Meng.
- Cover tables with pink tablecloths, then drape a layer of organza on top. Boys' tables could be covered with black and silver.
- Hang tissue-paper pompoms from the ceiling.
Princess Party Menu
Depending on what time of day you hold the party, you'll either need to serve a full meal or just snacks and dessert.
It's fun to give the menu a princess theme, too. You could set out tiny tea sandwiches and serve pink lemonade or juice in teacups. The sandwiches also could be cut into princess-themed shapes using cookie cutters (compare prices).
What princess party is complete without a basket of (un)poisoned apples or a bowl of magic potion (i.e., your favorite punch recipe)?
To present chips or cut vegetables in a clever way, hollow out a pumpkin, line it with plastic wrap and place the snacks inside. You could rest the pumpkin on two axels made from chopsticks or wooden dowels with round doughnut "wheels" placed on the ends.
Your princess party might have a sub theme that guides the menu. If your daughter likes the story of Jasmine and Aladdin, for example, serve kid-friendly Indian food. If she's a Little Mermaid fan, serve fish sticks and other beachy snacks.
Check out the book Princess Tea Parties, by Janeen A. Sarlin, (compare prices) for more menu ideas that fit global and make-believe princess themes.
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