Elmo stands at the top of the toddler A-list.
Your child's first birthday is one of the most special occasions you will ever celebrate. You want the party to be one that you and your family will remember and cherish for years to come. Sesame Street's resident cutie, Elmo, happens to be a favorite among the toddler set, so an Elmo-themed first birthday party is a natural choice. Does this Spark an idea?
Create an Elmo Atmosphere
Get your little one's party off to a good start. Invite your family and friends with Elmo invitations. Themed invitations can be purchased in local card or party shops. In addition, some websites offer Elmo invitations that you can purchase and simply download and print from your own computer.
Adorn your home Elmo-themed decorations. Young children respond well to bright colors and recognizable images, so make your home as festive as possible. Elmo party decorations are readily available from local party stores, toy stores and on the Internet. Tie a few Elmo helium foil balloons to your mailbox so Elmo himself can welcome your guests. Decorate your home with more foil balloons, and red and orange crepe paper streamers. Set your table with an Elmo tablecloth, standing centerpiece (kids love a big plush Elmo), paper plates, cups and napkins. Scatter a few more plush Elmo dolls, blocks and other age-appropriate toys around the room.
Make the atmosphere complete by filling the room with Elmo music. Even better, play Elmo DVDs on one or more television sets. The children will love seeing Elmo in motion everywhere they look.
Cake and Other Elmo Treats
Serve Elmo cake. You are having an Elmo party, after all, so it seems only right that Elmo is front and center (aside from the birthday boy or girl, of course). Fortunately, Elmo is quite a popular fellow, so finding the tools and ingredients to create the perfect Elmo cake is easy. If you don't want to bake the cake yourself, then you will probably be able to find a local bakery or grocery store that is capable of creating the cake for you. Consider a cake with a big Elmo face, or a brightly-colored cake topped with plastic Elmo and friends figurines.
Don't stop with the cake. Make your Elmo party absolutely Elmo-rific with Elmo cookies and candies. Candy molds and cookie cutters shaped like the famous muppet can be found in local craft or baking supply stores or on the Internet.
Party Favors
Send your young guests home with something special. Consider giving each child a tiny Elmo plush doll, an Elmo book or CD, an Elmo T-shirt or cap, or bath set. The kids will enjoy it and their parents will appreciate it as well.
Because parents will be present, consider sending home a favor for them, too. It will be a nice way for them to remember the special day you planned for your child. Present each adult with a party favor bag filled with Elmo cookies, an Elmo T-shirt, neck tie, baseball cap, refrigerator magnet or plush giggling key chain.
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