Party Perfect

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Happy Birthday to you
There’s so much to do
Plan a party, buy a present
And bake a cake too

We know how much creative juice it takes to plan winning birthday parties year after year. Here are some ideas to kick-start your imagination this spring.

Go Out
While it’s often difficult for us to pinpoint the arrival of spring in Calgary, Mother Nature seems to have a handle on it. Butterfield Acres opens April 1. With a barn full of baby animals, it’s a fun choice for spring parties. Pat bunnies, ride ponies, watch piglets and wash little hands before you serve cake. Butterfield Acres will also set up a mini-petting zoo or pony rides for your little equestrian-to-be in your backyard or garage. Package prices for parties on the farm or at home range from $149–339.

If your little princess is not keen on mud and barnyard creatures, opt for a visit to the spa. Beaners Fun Cuts for Kids offers party packages that include hairstyle, makeup and nails at one of their several Calgary locations. Upgrade to add decorations and accessories. Parties run Monday through Saturday and cost $199–225.

Stay In
Prefer to order in the entertainment? Invite Pippi the Clown from Just Kidding Family Entertainment. She does tricks, makes balloon animals and paints dramatic faces. Rates start at $150 for one hour.

If you’d rather spend more time than money, organize a Clue party for your 7–12 year olds. Follow the rules of the board game and make your own playing pieces from digital photos. Invite your guests as color-coded characters (we always want to be Ms. Scarlet) and let them figure out who did what where. Detailed rules for the board game can be found online.

Give
Teach your youngsters that it’s better to give than receive by building party packages to donate to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. You supply a cake mix, icing, candles, party paraphernalia and a token gift. Have your budding philanthropists package the items in birthday bags from the dollar store. Encourage each child to design a handmade card and you’ve given some needy children a birthday celebration they won’t forget.

These birthday suggestions are merely the icing on the cake. Stay tuned for our next Savvy birthday edition this summer.

One final tip: keep the numbers down. Five or six kids are more than enough to keep your social butterfly busy without feeling overwhelmed.

P.S. We’re sure you have a savvy birthday bash idea. Let’s hear it.