Birthday Party, Take One
How to set the scene for a Hollywood birthday
By Rebecca Miller Ffrench
- Import a legend
Kids reveled in the pranks of Charlie Chaplin—brought to life by impersonator Jeffrey Weissman. Go to PartyPop.com to find impersonators in your area, or rent Chaplin movies to play at the party.
- Create a wardrobe department
A corner of Devon's yard was turned into costume central. Set up a vanity (or any table topped with a mirror) along with a suitcase of gowns, boas, bow ties, and top hats from a thrift shop or from Little Dress Up Shop.
- Prop your set
A few key pieces of movie gear are all kids need to feel like they're on the set of a big, important film.
Play megaphone, $17, Hollywood Megastore.
- Arm your paparazzi
Devon gave kids durable digital cameras to document the day's events. For an instant souvenir, help children print a picture to take home.
Kid-Tough camera, $70, Fisher-Price. (See more kids' digital cameras.) Photosmart A716 printer, $200, HP.
- Mark the occasion
Guests made handprints on paper stars. To make your own, glue pink stars onto silver paper before the party. Have kids press their palms onto a gold ink pad, then onto the stars.
Pink Feather paper, $14 for 100 sheets, and Stardream silver paper, $13 for 25 sheets, paper presentation.com. Metallic stamp pad, $6.50, Jo-Ann Fabrics.
- Fuel the cast
Emmi and her under-2 friends munched on Goldfish served in toddlerproof plastic goblets; other partygoers ate star-shaped sandwiches and pigs in a blanket.
Plastic wine cups, $4 for 10, Serving with Style.
