Daily Party Dish

Oktoberfest Theme Party Ideas: Inspirations for My Party

Oktoberfest Invitations from Party411.com / Beer Confetti from Party411.Makesparties / Wheat Centerpice from All Things Lovely / Beer Flower Arrangement from 1-800-Flowers / Oktoberfest Costumes from Buycostumes.com / Beer Balloon Display from Above the Rest / Oktoberfest Custom Beer Label from Party411.com / Oktoberfest Sign Decorations from Party411.Makesparties.com

The original Oktoberfest is held every year during late September and early October in Munich, Germany. It runs sixteen-days and is the world's largest festival... over six million people attend every year! We have another Oktoberfest celebration a little closer to home in Cincinnatti Ohio (we live in Cleveland), but I am not going to be able to make it to that party this year either. If you have a chance to attend, do it. It is phenominal!

I am still having a party though. My celebration may be a bit smaller than the Munich and "Zinzinnati" festivals, but I hope it will fun! I am starting to pull together my ideas for an Oktoberfest Party and wanted to share my "mood board". Classic Oktoberfest colors and a focus on what the party is all about... the beer!

• Oktoberfest Party Ideas from Party411.com
• Bierocks - an Oktoberfest Party Recipe
  Bierock

Hungry Caterpillar Theme Party: Josh’s 1st Birthday

I was very excited to help plan my nephew's 1st Birthday.  We used the Hungry Caterpillar as the theme.  This makes for a very colorful party!

As people walked in, they were greeted with a birthday banner and a mini candy buffet.  This was a huge hit with the kids and all the adults.  Who doesn’t LOVE candy??  The caterpillar in the front was made out of cake pops.  It turned out super cute.

The centerpieces were 2 sided fruit from the book topped off with balloons.  We also added balloons on the fireplace.

In the kitchen, why not add all the fruit that left the caterpillar “still hungry”.  We put the fruit in pails and added a little sign.

The favors were little bubbles, candy bars and lollipops all with custom labels.  Add some cake for dessert and there you have it…the perfect Hungry Catepiller Birthday Party!

• First Birthday Party Ideas from Party411.com
• Kids Birthday Party Games
• Kids Birthday Party Invitations

Unique Birthday Party Idea: Camp Theme Party

Are you looking for a unique birthday party theme perfect for summer? Have a camp theme party!

The color scheme is simple and easy - green and brown for the woods. There are some new camping theme paper goods available as well that are just perfect.

Camp Menu
This is easy and straight forward part of your party. For your menu serve "camp food" such as hot dogs, kool aid, granola/trail mix, smores (yum!) and popcorn.

Camp Decorations:
Lanterns and small branches from trees in vases are fun decorations. Wildflowers are great too. Set out any forest themed stuffed animal you have...bears, owls, foxes. Throw a few pinecones around for good measure. Set up one of those fake flame torches (sold usually for Halloween) on the buffet and surround it with wood for a fake fire!

If you can arrange for it have an open fire (September should be perfect weather for it). Your guests will love sitting around the fire telling their favorite camp stories or horror stories.

Camp music is a must. If you have a guitarist in the family ask them if they want to play for a bit. If not anything by Bob Denver is great. Or get an audio recording of ghost stories!

Have camping theme movies playing on the tv - Ernest Goes to Camp, Daddy Day Camp, The Great Outdoors, Meatballs are a few to choose from. (If you’re afraid people will just sit and only watch the movie, play the movies on mute.)

Camp Favors:
Have everyone leave messages for the guest of honor by signing something with a camp theme... a canoe paddle, a camp t-shirt, a duffle bag.

Party favors are easy - inexpensive items like whistles, compasses, travel sized bug sprays or sunscreen, flashlights. They work for the theme and are useful too!

If you have any fantastic camping theme games or activities please feel free to share in the comments below.

• First Birthday Party Ideas from Party411.com
• Let's Go Camping Party
  
• Kids Birthday Party Games
• Kids Birthday Party Invitations

Sweet 16 Car Crazy: Games and Activities

One of our favorite Sweet 16 parties is our Car Crazy Party. Because 16 is the legal driving age in most states, having a Car themed Sweet 16 is almost too perfect.

With any party we're big believers in theme activities for the guests! Here are five of our favorite Car Crazy Sweet 16 party activities:

1. "Driver's License Photo Booth" - Just set up a digital camera, a stool and sheet for the background in a quiet corner. As your guests arrive have someone take a picture doing a "fun" drivers license picture. During the party someone can print out the photos and put them in those small acrylic picture keychains (check Walmart). Lay them out on a table for guests to grab on the way out...an activity and party favor all in one!
2. Racing Games - If you can set up Mario Cart on the TV you can have a tournament! Or have guests race radio controlled cars. If you have radio controlled cars make sure you have a defined course! You don’t want grandma tripping on a car.
3. Obstacle Course - To bring in the car theme set up car tires and have everyone jump through them. Or weave in and out of traffic cones carrying an egg on a spoon.
   
4. "Red Light, Green Light" - A great group game. Get the adults involved in this one too!
5. Driving Trivia - For something low key you can do a trivia sheet where you have to identify little known traffic signs. (This is also a good way to test which friends your child will be allowed to drive with.)

If you have any great car inspired games or activity please share in the comments below.

• Sweet 16 Planning Guide from Party411
• Car Crazy Sweet 16
• Sweet 16 Games and Activities

Sam's Mom: Fireworks Fruit Snack

While decorating for the 4th of July, my son asked for a snack.  So, we decided to make something healthy, fast and patriotic!  We decided on fruit fireworks. 

We started with a bright red apple and some blueberries.  Apples and blueberries work well because they are red, white and blue but any round fruit will work, as long as it’s round!  Peaches, plums, or oranges would add some color to the plate.

Then Sam cut the apple (with a little help from me) and arranged it on the plate into the shape of a firework exploding!  He surrounded the apple pieces with blueberries and his patriotic snack was ready! 

I hope you enjoyed your 4th of July as much as we did!

-Sam's Mom

• Kid's Birthday Party Ideas from Party411
• Kid's Birthday Party Invitations
• Kid's Birthday Party Games
• More from Sam's Mom