OT: Not WLS Related -- Need Ideas for Niece's Party

Ok, so, for any of you who know my story my five year old niece has leukemia. Well, she's done very well and, in fact, will be going off treatment within the next two weeks. It is customary for kids who have had chemo treatments to throw an off treatment party to honor the kids and everyone who supported them and their families. My sister is looking for inexpensive ideas (hey, the doctors all still need to get paid, lol) for my niece's party in July. It will be at a beautiful park. They're thinking of making it a bring-your-own-BBQ because they simply can't afford to even do a bunch of hot dogs. Specifically, my sister is trying to find anyone who may know a caterer that *may* want to donate their services (or do a deep discount), also fun kid stuff, possibly a photographer, and possibly some type of musician. She's still in the planning stages so she's really open to any ideas that sound good (and inexpensive or donated). Since I know this site contains a wide variety of people, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas. We've focused so much on taking care of my niece that planning the party hasn't been the top on my sister's list. We don't even know how many people would be attending (technically, two weeks after this will be my nephew's birthday part so it needs to be different and special but not "birthday" themed). My niece has this grand "princess" theme going through her brain. She wants to ride up in a horse drawn carriage (white, of course) in a beautiful pink dress. Ok, too much info, I know. I'll step back. Any ideas would be appreciated. We also want to honor those kids who haven't made it through treatment during this time but I'm against releasing balloons (for environmental reasons). And, obviously, we need to meet the restrictions of the park as well. Thanks for your help! Lori

Date? Place (closer to downtown, better chance of carriage)? Size dress? I plan this stuff for my non-profit all the time and nothing is too "out there" in your post to impossible. Personally, I like water balloons. Tubs and tubs of water balloons, sack races, and the old time egg throwing kind of stuff. tee

It'll be at Silver Falls State Park the last weekend in June. I was thinking of releasing butterflies instead of the balloon release. I know some local people do this. I'll just have to track them down and see how much they charge. I think water balloons would be great. It would really help to know how many people may attend but you've got everything from patients and their families to doctors and nurses to our own friends and family. My sister's been a bit private during all of this (in part, of course, to avoid exposing my niece to too many germs). Many other people have been featured in news stories and such so those tend to be very big gala-like events. Lori

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I threw a Princess party for my daughter when she was in kindergarten. Everyone dressed up as a princess, the dollar store has lots of beads and tiara's and that sort of thing for the girls. We made our own Princess Cake......using a Barbie doll and the cake was her gown. I recommend table cloths that can be drawn on and take lots of crayons. We played pin the lips on the frog.............we drew a huge frog and cut out a bunch of red lips or buy lip stickers. We also had a pinata but I'm not real big on those. For a five year old, the old saying.......keep it simple and they'll have a blast. Good luck

Thanks for the ideas! I love the tablecloth idea! I think it would be great to get some fabric pens and do up a sheet for her so anyone coming by can sign. See! I knew people would help me think! We could have a few of butcher paper (I've actually got a huge roll of paper at my house) for the other tables, too. Thanks so much. I'm forwarding all the suggestions I can on to my sister (after all, she gets final say). Lori

I didn't get any mail... Lori

hmmmmmmmm.............i'll try something else. I wondered why you had not answered lol tee

What about blowing bubbles in remembrance. I took a cake decorating class and I know they do princess cakes and stuff..maybe you could ask them if they would be willing to donate a cake. It doesn't take that long. I would volunteer but I'm afraid of making cake after surgery LOL. I'm sure you can understand. I have become the cake maker for any occasion in the family and I can't help but snack on them. DOH..I love to do it so if the time draws near and you don't have anyone or any idea's I'll do it. Let me know. I have pictures if you want to see what I"m talking about. Rebecca

Another great idea! I knew you all could help me through this. I'll check into places locally that do cake decorating classes (or maybe even with Western Culinary Institute or the community college) and see what options they might have for me. I'm sure we can't be the only ones looking for inexpensive, nice, options. I'll let you know but, yes, I do understand. I wouldn't want to jeopardize your loss, lol. Lori