Having a winter birthday often limits you to an indoor party. But that’s okay because you still have great options for throwing a memorable bash this time of year. One idea is a snowball-themed birthday party for your tween. And the intimate setting of a home party will also give you a chance to get to know your tween’s friends better.
Invitations
Purchase cheap white T-shirts from a craft store. Write, “I had a ball at [Insert Birthday Tween’s name] party” on the shirt with permanent marker or have it screen-printed. Wet the T-shirt and ball it up tightly inside a plastic bag like a snowball and place in the freezer. When the shirts are frozen, attach a party invitation to the bag with a ribbon, asking the guests to wear their shirt to the party. When the tweens arrive at the party with their defrosted shirt, they can decorate and sign the shirt with fabric markers.
Decorations
Turn your party space into a winter wonderland. Give the room a soft glow using white mini lights strung around the room. Create instant snow by stringing several different-sized cotton balls at various lengths on fishing wire. Hang along walls or from the ceiling and doorways to give the room the illusion of snow falling. For the table, fill jars a one-third of the way with Epsom Salts and place a battery-operated tea light inside. Spray tree branches with silver glitter spray or artificial snow spray and display in vases near tea light jars.
Games
Games encourage interaction between the guests who may be shy and stirs up a little friendly competition. Create your own version of Jeopardy by asking winter-themed trivia questions. It is also fun to include categories about the birthday girl. Minute to Win It is a fun game for a tween group. Teams complete tasks with simple household items in less than a minute. Many of their games include ping pong balls, which go nicely with your snowball theme. For Minute to Win It how-to game instructions, visit nbc.com/minute-to-win-it?nbc=1.
Crafts
A great winter craft for tweens is to make frosty vases they can display in their bedroom. To make the vases, you need small glass bud vases, Epsom Salt, blue food coloring, paper bowls and plates, paint brushes, crafting glue, and clear gloss sealer. Mix half the Epsom Salt with a couple drops of blue food coloring and leave the other salt white. Paint the outside of vases with glue and then roll the vase in each color salt until coated. When completely covered, let dry and then spray the vases with the clear gloss sealer. Before the tweens go home, add a white carnation to complete your snowball theme.
Food and drink
Instead of serving the customary birthday cake, why not try something different? Serve a white chocolate fondue instead. The perfect white dippers include angel food cake, marshmallows, and bananas.
Snowball cookies are another great idea! Crush one 16oz. package of Oreo cookies and blend with 8oz. of softened cream cheese. Roll into walnut-sized balls and chill for an hour. Roll chilled cookies in melted white chocolate bark (24oz. package) and allow hardening on wax paper.
For a fun, festive drink, pour sparkling cider or lemon-lime soda into a glass rimmed with blue and white sugar.
Movies with a winter setting
To settle everyone down at the end of the night, put on a winter-themed movie, like Eight Below, The Chronicles of Narnia, Snow Day. For a little lighter atmosphere, try a winter-themed comedy, like the classic Cool Runnings, a true story that takes place in the Caribbean and Calgary! Serve homemade popcorn balls (12oz. melted mini marshmallows and 12 cups of air popped popcorn formed into balls) or plain popcorn for a lighter fare.
Goodie bags
A winter-themed bag for tweens could include hand warmers, inexpensive texting gloves, and lip balm. Attach a note that says, “It was so ICE of you to come to my party!”
Pam is a freelance journalist, and a mother of three. With two winter birthdays in the family, they know how to throw a winter party!
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