Special Considerations Party Planning

Entertaining the Disabled

Whether you are a veteran of the Galactic Empire or an everyday earthling like myself there are people who are disabled, in one way or the other, in just about everyone’s circle of friends and acquaintances. In my own immediate family, I have one person who must use a wheelchair and another who is allergically challenged when it comes to peanuts.

Whenever I entertain with a party that involves either of those relatives, I know I must consider both of their special needs, and I’m okay with that.  I realize that for many people, this is a very daunting proposition which they usually answer by simply not inviting their disabled friends and relatives, or simply by choosing not entertaining with a party at all.  How completely sad is that?

It is very important to remember, in my opinion, that as you move through your daily life you understand the fact that disabled people are just like you and me when it comes to social gatherings and parties.  While they have additional challenges in their lives, they still enjoy many of the same things you and I do, and a good party is no exception!  I think it's important when you plan your party not to forget about those who are either temporarily disabled wearing a cast or forced to move around with crutches, or permanently disabled. You might be surprised at the smile generating power a party invitation can have on someone often overlooked by so many others because of a disability.

The first thing you can do when you're planning a party is to plan on inviting your disabled friends and family to the party.  Don’t let their differences scare you away from having them to your home or event.   However, you should also not be shy about asking these friends and relatives if there is anything you can do to help them navigate your chosen party venue, or if there are any dietary restrictions they have which you can plan ahead for.  Simply asking these two questions, will make disabled friends and family feel appreciated and included in your plan.  In addition, they will have respect for the fact that you asked the questions that many in their alliances don’t bother to.

The next thing you can do is to take a moment to view your home or other party location as other people will who attend your party.  Try sitting down in a chair, or sitting on the floor, and have a good look around.  Look at obstacles like clutter and see if it would be necessary for you to move some things out of the way for the party time.  This is especially important in tighter spaces such as bathrooms and hallways.  Look for tripping hazards like stairs and see if you can highlight them better to make sure that even your visually impaired granny can see them and be able to navigate them without falling.

If you would like to invite someone to your party with a more physical disability, ask them if there is someone they would like to bring along as their caregiver?  Most people would be happy that you were considerate of the fact that they may need someone available to help them.  Some people need help in places like the restroom and would prefer to have someone there they can feel more comfortable with.

If your invitee has never been to your home before, you can simply ask if they would like to come over before the event and the two of you can work on any accessibility issues together.  This can be a great help and make both you and your guests feel as comfortable as possible.

One of the best things you can ever do when entertaining is to invite those around you with disabilities.  Especially during the holiday season, people can be very lonely, and it only takes a nice gesture such as an invitation to a party to start to feel better about yourself and the world around you.  If you feel uncomfortable about the person’s disability, then try talking to them about what challenges they face and what things you can do to make their stay nicer at your home.  Through some simple communication, both you and your disabled friends and relatives can have some great party memories to share.

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Little Princess Party

If you would like your little girl to feel like a princess for a day, why not throw her a princess party?  This party is excellent for little girls aged pre-school through about fourth grade, depending upon the maturity of your child and their friends who will be in attendance.

A princess party is a perfect time where your child can enjoy being treated like royalty and for you to indulge her in her every wish, within reason of course.  A princess party is one she is sure to treasure and remember for the rest of her life.
The first thing you will want to do before the party is to decide on the decorations, activities, and food that will compliment your princess party theme.

Take out a pen and a sheet of paper and start taking brainstorming ideas, go over your notes to decide which of your little princess party ideas meet your own home and specific needs.  This will help you to create a shopping list for your party and a timeline to get everything accomplished.

As for décor, just about anything goes to decorate your castle, also known as your home.  Using lots of pink and purple is always a good choice for a princess party.  You can use pastel pink and purple streamers and balloons along with a matching tablecloth and napkins.

For a nice added touch you can use complementary colored plates and cups, and also tie your napkins with a nice fancy ribbon which is only fit for a princess and her castle.  If you have pink or purple fabric on hand, you might want to cover your party room chairs with it and tie it into big bows at the back.  If you do not have any fabric, check your local thrift stores for a sheet in the right color which you can cut up and use for the day.

For your princess party invitations, you will want to ask your guests to come dressed in their best outfits and ready to be pampered for the party.  Or, simply let them come in their everyday clothing and add to their outfit when they arrive.  You can purchase inexpensive feather boas which the girls can wear around their shoulders for the party and then take home afterward.  Also, readily available are simple tulle skirts that can transform their outfit into one fit for a princess.  A good idea is to have each guest in pink while the guest of honor is in purple or vice versa.

Once your guests arrive you can have them decorate their own princess cone party hats with such items as gems, confetti, and feathers which you have purchased from the local dollar or discount store for that purpose.  Once their hats are decorated, then you can staple on streamers or ribbons to the top of the hat so that they flow out when the party guest move or twirl.

A fun game to play is “Princess May I?” which is a version of the old traditional game “Mother May I?”  Have the guest of honor be the princess and allow her to play the role of the mother in the more traditional game. Once your craft project and game are done, then it is time to seat your princess on her own thrown to enjoy a nice tea party.  The best foods to serve are sandwiches cut into hearts or stars with cookie cutters.

The beverage of choice could be a pink lemonade served in either fancy plastic glasses or in teacups.  Your cake design can be either a princess, or a castle, both options are fairly easy to make, or they can be purchased. If your local stores carry piñatas, you can fill one with candy such as gold chocolate coins, ring lollypops, and candy necklaces to help round out the party theme and give the girls something fun to do.  They can take home the candy from the piñata in their very own princess goodie bags.


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