Continuing the highlights from yesterday’s Skylander’s Cake, I just realized I never posted the invitation to the Skylanders Party.  I wanted to do something a little different, and most of the invites I’d seen in my travels around the web were just repurposed graphics of a selections of popular skylanders.  And while cute, I figured why not give the Bad Guy a starring role in the invitations?  So here is Kaos, inviting the Skylanders to come to a party.  And really, he promises it’s not a trap.

So, if you’d like to use this yourself, here’s a free download, because Dot is just all kinds of sweet that way!  Here’s the graphic with a more generic “you’re invited to a birthday party” message, that works for anyone child’s name (Click for large):

Just right click and save: http://dabbled.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/skylanders-invitation-dabbled.jpg

OR, if you’d prefer to personalize the banner that Kaos holds, you can download this blank printable, add your own text either via a graphics program and print, or by hand, and have the invite color copied. (Click to see larger)

Just right click this link and save the file: http://dabbled.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/kaos-skylanders-dabbled-blank1.jpg

Of course, if your kid’s name is Dominic, you’re welcome to use the real invitation :)

More highlights to come!

If you’ve never done a White Elephant Party, I have a write up on how to throw one, with all the rules that we use.

Basically, it’s a gift exchange party where you steal gifts from other people.
A couple of key points you’ll need to make sure your guests understand:
– Gifts can be bought new or regifted (in the true spirit of a white elephant) – we give a general amount to spend (like between $15 and $20 for example) but a regifted gift can be worth more than that.
– Impress on your guests that they must arrive by a certain time. Start the party at 7:00 but tell everyone they must be there by 8:00, for example.
– Everyone needs to bring a gift (not one per couple).
– For maximum enjoyment, we usually instruct people that gifts “can be funny, but not crappy”. I always suggest that if you’re going to regift a crappy gift, at least throw a bottle of wine in there with it!

A couple of other tips:

• As host, I usually have an extra gift on hand for that one person who doesn’t show up with one, or if not needed, provide as a consolation prize for the poor person who ends up with the crappiest gift.
• Decide up front if you’re going to allow collaboration (“you steal from me then I’ll steal from you”) or allow spouses/significant others to steal from each other.

Get all the instructions to throw your own party!.

Get the invitation, a ‘steal sheet’, and numbers on flickr

So what’s in the works?  Cake wise we’ll be having a Perry cake, and also clone trooper cupcakes (assuming they work out like I plan!).  It’s at brunch time (to try to beat out some of the heat of early june) so I’m planning on brunch food & drinks– for both kids and adults (we do a very adult and kid-friendly kids birthday parties around here!). I’m brainstorming right now on some clever theme related food ideas — suggestions welcome!

For decor, the handy hubby is working on a Portal to Mars.  I’ll be showing you that (with hopefully a how-to!) soon. And we’re also going to have a Backyard Beach! I was thinking of doing a Death Star Pinata… but that’s really Star Wars, not Clone Wars, right? Anyone else have some cool ideas we should do?

PS, his birthday is today, so Happy #5 to The Boy!

Last year’s Party: Dragons!

2 years ago: Robot Spacemen!

Last year, I made up some invitations, a rule sheet, and a number sheet so you can easily throw your own.  Since some of you might not have been around last year, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to share them with you again.

Just go here for the invite, the rules, alternate rules for large groups like office parties, and everything you need to know to throw a great white elephant party.

HOW TO:  Throw a White Elephant Party