They Say It's Your Birthday

My birthdays were always creative and original affairs. They were never gaudy or over-the-top like some of the ridiculous things you see today, but they were definitely always unique.

Birthdays are special and should be celebrated….regardless of your age.

As my daughter’s 2^nd birthday approaches, I’ve been researching some local vendors. One that might lend a hand to the busy parent who is struggling to make a birthday memorable without necessarily breaking the bank. I’ve discovered there’s a lot out there and there’s something for everybody.

For starters, I urge every parent to sign up for Certifikids. It’s sort of like the Living Social for all local things kids-related. They always have great deals on birthday items, from cakes to moon bounces to live entertainment.

In fact, it was through them that I discovered the Zoo-To-You party. Most kids love animals, so how cool would it be to have those animals come to your birthday party?! The folks at Leesburg Animal Park bring animals like sheep, chinchillas or macaws to your home and even clean up after. The best part is that they’re fully insured and USDA licensed.

If animals are not your thing, you can always go with something cold and edible that every child will love. The Travelling Bean brings a smoothie bar to your backyard while also providing an Espresso bar for the parents. If it’s a little nippy out, the espresso bar even offers hot chocolate, steamers and hot tea. And since pies are the new cupcakes, head over to Georgetown's own for their yummy and adorable cuppies! They'll go great with smoothies or espresso.

When they all scream for ice cream, there’s nothing more popular and fun than having an ice cream truck pull up at your front door. Scoops2U can provide you with everything from a Creamsicle to Cherry Garcia to a Sundae Party Pack with jimmies.

If a little princess is what you have, perhaps a pony is what she needs. Pony To Go will bring her a pony so long as you’re located within 110 miles of Berryville, Va. But if she and her friends want to get all dolled up, there’s nobody better than Christalene Karaiskakis of Crystalooneys Creative Arts. Located in Annapolis, Christalene is a visual artist who transforms the human body into works of art. She does beautiful face painting and can even add glitter tattoos and charms to her “models”. Even as an adult, I want to try her Deluxe Fairy Princess Package! 

Thumbs Up Party Planning recently put together a "Glamour Girl Spa Party" for D.C. party-planing queen, Zaiba Hasan’s daughter. The girls were pampered with manicures, pedicures, and facials. Party hostesses brought everything from candles to robes to party favors. They even brought the cake.

“I give Thumbs Up Party Planning 2 thumbs up. They took care of the party planning details from the invites, the party décor,  and the entertainment. My daughter and her friends were literally pampered from their head to their toes. As an event planner it was so nice to have someone else take care of the details so that I can actually be PRESENT during my daughter’s special day," gushed Hasan.

Now if your goal is to get out of the house, every princess needs to attend a birthday party at Tea With Mrs. B. Tea With Mrs. B is a children’s tea room and really takes you back to a pre-Ipod, more relaxed time. Birthday parties include a high tea setting, crisp linens, china, crystal and silver. This is one place where your little girl will truly feel like a princess.  

As for parties for little boys, I think the coolest thing I found was Games2U. It’s literally a giant video game truck brought right to your home. There are video game theaters, 4D ride experiences, high-tech Laser Tag and much more.

Because I’m always up for a challenge, the theme for my daughter’s 2^nd birthday is going to be the Sound of Music. While I’d love to import Julie Andrews to my living room and have her sing Do-Re-Mi, I’ll have to settle for something less ambitious. For starters, I’m working with Brittany from Edible Details on some amazingly Austrian fondant cupcake toppers. Perhaps a goat and some schnitzel too? Or maybe Marsha Goodman Wood to lead the kiddies in some fun tunes? If you have any ideas, let me know.