Calling All Caped Crusaders!

What little boy isn’t enamored with superheroes? My son loves running around the house, a dark colored bath towel turned cape pinned around his shoulders, fighting off evil-doers untold and battling against villains unnumbered to protect and uphold justice and freedom – in the living room. Let’s just say that his sister may have clomped around in mom’s high heels, a pink feather boa tossed haphazardly around her neck, but my son is every ounce the make-believer as well. I’m not sure by what name Stan Lee might have dubbed this little imaginative fellow, what with a black vampire cape, Batman suit, cowboy boots, a ninja mask, his Thor helmet and a light saber as his crime-fighting accoutrements. Never have I seen Bruce Wayne don cowboy boots, but then perhaps someone ought to clue him in that a Bathorse might just come in handy should Gotham City’s criminals seek refuge out West. See? My son is just a forward-thinking little crime fighter!

As evidenced by the other little cape-wearing characters in the neighborhood, superheroes are a big hit with little boys. So what better way to celebrate boyhood than by having a superhero birthday party? Invite all your little Man of Steel’s sidekicks (or arch rivals!) over for a party that could leap tall buildings in a single bound. Even if your little guy’s birthday doesn’t happen to fall close to Halloween, make it a costume party! Be sure to have a few inexpensive masks on hand, just in case some of his buddies forget their gadgets and gear. If your playroom dress-up box looks anything like ours, you’re sure to be able to outfit the entire Justice League singlehandedly.

Unless you’re a cake diva (which I, sadly, am not), a quick trip to the local bakery should afford you enough options from which to choose a diabolically delectable cake or cupcakes decorated with your Boy Wonder’s favorite superhero. My son was a fan of the cupcakes topped with plastic rings emblazoned with superhero emblems. It’s the small things, folks.

Decorations? Oh, where to begin. Balloons, streamers and confetti in colors matching your child’s favorite character are a fabulous start: black, gold and gray for Batman; red, white and blue for Superman; green and purple for the Hulk, and so on. If you’re feeling creative and ambitious, turn your basement into the Batcave or even an evil lair. As my husband and I discovered, Silly String can work wonders to transform any room into a web of Spider-Man happiness.

Depending on the ages of the children, games can be simple and quick, or a bit more of a test of their super powers. As Clark Kent can attest, changing clothing can be an exceptional feat of superhuman agility. Have the kids compete in dynamic duos to see which can don his or her costume the fastest. Set up an obstacle course in the backyard. Put your crew of caped crusaders to the test, challenging them to make it through the Maze of Metropolis. Divide the kids into teams and give each a box full of household items with which to create a new superhero (think oven mitts, fly swatters, snorkels, athletic gear, vacuum cleaner hoses, etc.). Make sure the winning team has come up with a good name for their creation, and an explanation of his or her super powers. Looking for something a bit simpler? Pin the nose on the Joker, anyone?

Game prizes and goodie bags can include inexpensive comic books, superhero-themed party favors, and small toy figurines. At snack time offer them up some lime green Kryptonite Kool-Aid and bat-shaped cookies. Feeling Daredevil-ish? Make it a sleepover and let your heroes and villains choose superhero movies to enjoy with popcorn.

Remember to include any little superheroines who may want to join in on the fun. Where would our comic book heroes be without Wonder Woman, Catwoman or Batgirl? If the girls are a bit less enthusiastic about dressing up as crime-fighting lasses, there’s no reason they can’t create their own unique super character – Ballerina Girl or Princess Power, perhaps?

Using some of the same creativity and imagination your child uses every day you’ll be sure to throw a marvel-ous superhero party. A bit of prep work, a little decorating and Biff! Bam! Kazam! You’re little masked marauders are in for a delightful party of fun and adventure.

How Sweet It Is!

In anticipation of my 16^th birthday, I held out a wee bit of hope that my friends would throw me a surprise party, or that maybe, just maybe, my parents would hand me the keys to my very own brand new car (okay, that was just plain delusional, but a girl can dream, can’t she?). My 16^th birthday was certainly a memorable one, but hold your horses if you think it was because I celebrated in style or took a new convertible out for a spin. Alas, neither happened. Instead, I was housebound – a tragic birthday girl victim to a Midwestern ice storm that Mother Nature was more than happy to dole out in honor of my special day. My mom apologized for not having the ingredients for a birthday cake on hand, and instead we sat down for a game of Scrabble™ while the winter winds whipped outside.

Believe me when I say that it’s probably not every girl’s dream to ring in her 16^th birthday with a triple word score (although looking back, I SO nailed it with “quince”!). The occasion certainly calls for a bit more fancy and fun.

Sweet 16 parties can be just a mere step above your average birthday party, or they can be an all-out extravaganza, complete with a hall, catered food, band, photographer, limo, floral arrangements and other accoutrements befitting a gala wedding (sans the groom, of course). In some areas, Sweet 16 parties are a social must for young ladies. In other regions of the country, they are simply becoming a wonderfully fun reason to celebrate your young lady. These parties have grown in popularity, in size, and in cost. Parents are going to great lengths to commemorate their daughters with these coming-of-age soirees.

Some girls are opting to live it up with their gal pals, hitting the spa together, having elaborate sleepovers, or employing fun and fanciful themes to ring in their sixteenth birthday, while others are choosing to invite the girls and the boys to parties that run the gamut of small scale all the way up to formal affairs held in swanky settings.

Depending on your bank account, the sky is the limit. Some lucky lasses have parents who are willing (and financially capable, I might add) to hire one or more of the music industry’s hottest singers or acts to perform. Feeling like appeasing the palates of your super sixteenager and her friends? By all means, feel free to hire one of the nation’s top chefs to come to your event and create a culinary masterpiece to delight her and her guests. Planning on ordering her a cake befitting its very own episode of a Food Network cake show? Have at it!

If that’s a bit out of your budget (as I’m guessing it would be for the majority, so no need to fret!), it’s certainly doable to make your young lady feel special without breaking the bank and blowing her college savings. Teenage girls (and guys) love food, music and socializing. Throw those together with a unique (and affordable) theme, and you’re sure to have a winner of a party.

Set a budget, establish some ground rules (such as no alcohol or a guest list limit), and assist your teenager with brainstorming options for themes, party decorations, venues, food, etc. There’s sure to be a perfect Sweet 16 party plan right up her alley.

So what themes would have struck my fancy had I had the privilege of a Sweet 16 party back in the day? Some of my personal favs are:

Hawaiian Luau Sweet 16 – Hula contest, anyone? Virgin fruity, tropical drinks (topped off with umbrellas, of course!), tiki torches, and grass skirts will have everyone in the mood to try their luck at the limbo.

Totally ‘80s Sweet 16 – a totally tubular party theme, dude! Requirements: big hair, acid washed jeans, slap bracelets, and of course, plenty of radical ‘80s music to get people dancing.

Masquerade Ball Sweet 16 – a formal affair for both the young ladies and young gentlemen. Gowns, suits and ties, and whimsical masquerade masks are a must.

Sweet 16 Mardi Gras Style – a celebration including jazz music, beads, hats, masks, and decorations aplenty in purple, green and gold.

Alice in Wonderland –why not celebrate with a whimsical tea party with mismatched teacups and saucers, a topsy-turvy mad hatter cake, a game of life-sized chess or croquet? Invitations should urge your guests to not be late for this very important date!

The internet is a font of Sweet 16 party theme knowledge, so be sure to do some surfing for unique and fabulous ideas. Then again, I’m sure there’s something to be said about hosting “My Super Sweet 16 Scrabble Party”!

Who's In?

My husband, the good sport that he is, might join me at a co-ed baby shower with minimal grumbling, even though his beloved Twins are playing the White Sox. Of course, having access to the radio on his smart phone helps with this matter, but I’m not judging. He might be distracted, but at least he’s there, right? However, tell the man we’re off to a poker party and he’s all in! With his poker chip set and enough quarters to wash the laundry on a dorm floor for a month, he’s Johnny-on-the-spot when it comes time to take a seat around the poker table. And with good reason!

The game demands its very own World Series each year. We have movies that center on the game in its various forms. We even have songs about it that teach us such imperative life lessons as, “You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table,” (duly noted, Kenny!). Poker, which long has been a card game played by everyone from the poorest working class on up to the wealthiest men of means, is a game of not just chance, but skill and stakes. Whether you’re in for a penny or in for a pound, it can be an exciting thrill ride. Of course it’s worthy of its very own celebration!

Poker parties have become all the rage, and are a popular excuse to get together, have a few drinks and some food, play cards, test your poker face, and as long as you’re not in my house, perhaps indulge in a cigar or two. This Friday night past-time for the guys has risen to a bit loftier level than simply cheap beer and flannel shirts. For starters, the ladies want in on the action, and are willing to ante up when it comes time for both planning and playing. Throw together all the chips you can and make sure the cards are casino quality – you’ve got an evening of fun and surprises for both the guys and the gals.

But, oh, which way to go with the party? Laid back and easy, with inexpensive green dealer visors and costume armbands for the guests, topped off with pizza and chicken wings? Or, to make the affair a bit more high-brow with black tie optional, fancy hors d’oeuvres and martinis – something out of a Bond flick? Either way, or anything in the middle, is sure to have your guests cashing in on a good time.

Don’t know a flush from a straight? Confused about how the “flop” differs from the “river”? Hey, I was there too! And believe you me, you’ll be catching on in no time. Plus, you have the infinite wisdom of the internet at your disposal. Run a search on “poker” and soon you’ll know that Omaha isn’t just a city in Nebraska.

While Texas Hold’em continues to be the poker game of choice, there are several variations that will test your card-playing mettle and keep you busy trying to decipher what your neighbor holds in his or her hand. While I have my older brothers to thank for introducing me to the world of Five Card Draw and Seven Card Stud when I was still too young to effectively hold the cards in my hand, my husband and his college compadres shared some Texas Hold’em strategy with me some years back. Imagine their surprise when I ended up with the pot – and my husband’s shock when I suggested that we all just take back our own money so nobody feels bad.

Hey, what can I say? I’m a giver.