Party Princess

(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

Gone are the days when 'pin the tail on the donkey' and a round of musical chairs were the highlight of a child's birthday party. The goody bags were simple plastic-type bags with a brightly coloured clown on the front. Party pies, sausage rolls, little franks - the standard party food - it's all gone out the window. It's retro.

I remember rocking up to parties in my childhood itching to get my hands on a chocolate crackle. No one cried playing pass the parcel when there wasn't a prize in every layer for every party-goer, we all cheered for the winner at the end. And I'd proudly wear my Strawberry Shortcake party hat for weeks afterwards.

It's all about 'styling' the parties these days. Vintage fluted plates of delicate cupcakes; old-style candy jars filled with lollies; buntings, lanterns and tissue-paper pop-poms.

And yet...I'm no different! My eldest daughter's 6th birthday is coming up in a few weeks and we're currently planning an 'afternoon tea' style party for her and her friends. She wants lots of pink, lots of flowers, butterfly cakes - basically a party fit for a princess. Oh, and paper chains - which is actually kind of cool!

There will still be lots of fun, lots of yummy food. It's just different to what we were used to growing up. And I'll indulge her in it...because being so girly myself, I can't help but love it all!

So wish me luck!  The little man's birthday is also in a few weeks (he'll be turning 4)...he's having his party at McDonalds...well, that's what he wanted!

 - Mem