Design Around Your Theme

Once you've decided on a theme for your party, incorporate it into the other elements like invitations and decor.For example, this design party took on a Barbie Princess theme.



Not only were guests invite in Barbie style to the birthday (see crown invite, top right), they were also treated to a pink plethora of Barbie inspired goodies, including a delicious cake.

The options are endless!

Pick an area for the party.

• You can host it in your own living room and kitchen or rent a large room. If it's a sunny day you can even bring it outside onto picnic tables or the grass.
• Just make sure that it's large and airy, with plenty of space to put in tables for working space and ventilation. You don't want it to get stuffy with paint and glue fumes.
• Tables can be set up with supplies for everyone to share or you can have a "theme" at every station, with paint at one, a tie dye station at another, bedazzling at the third.
• Wherever you set up, be sure that it's an area that can get messy. You never know when paint might fly!

Decorate according to your theme.

• Remember that things will get messy, so don't choose this as the time to bring out your best tablecloths.
• Keep food and drink areas separate from the shirt decoration. You wouldn't want a soda spilled all over a newly finished shirt, or glue flying into someone's drinking cup.
• Themed paper partyware is ideal for this type of party. Not only is it inexpensive, its also a great way to add flair to the celebration and keep with the theme.

Cleanup.

• Clothing design is a messy process, so make cleanup easier for yourself and leave large trash cans in the immediate vicinity of the decorating tables.
• Leave clean cups of water around the paints so kids can clean up the paintbrushes between color use.