Princess For a Day

One mom's birthday recollection.....

I can still remember my 7'th birthday party. It was a late afternoon party in august. I was wearing a nice dress that made me feel like a princess. I can hardly remember the food, but i still recall the excitement of the games; the highlight of which was the statue dance with all the kids very eager to join.

By the time i got to blow my candles, it was already dark. I remember posing for the camera with the cake in front of me. But before the camera clicked, my yaya placed a bucket hat on my head so
i wont catch a cold. A princess with a bucket hat - that was me!

Several things are constant in children's parties. There are the balloons, and the little chairs and tables. There's the food with fried chicken, spaghetti and ice cream as the most basic. There are the games with "Hit the pot," :Trip to Jerusalem," and the "pabitin," being the most popular. And then it's time to blow the candles with everybody singing the birthday song. It seems easy to prepare these parties. But through the years, things have gotten a little more complicated.

Today, kids expect more theme parties./ The popular ones are usually derived from television shows or hit movies like "Justice League," "Blues Clues," and "The Incredibles." From the invitation to the decor, some parents can transform a simple venue into a magical kingdom - with a lot of help, of course, from a party planner.

My dad says that during his time, a special occasion was marked by the presence of chicken on a table. Nowadays, there are many food combinations to choose from, whether home cooked or catered. I still think, though, that either having a lechon or having a roasted beef spell B-I-G party.

Todays kiddie parties are not exactly more expensive than before. Perhaps, parents just have more options with regards to themes, costumes, and decor. Nevertheless, it's still up to the parents to go lavish or simple. In the end, it's the basics that matter; the birthday celebrant, his family and his guests. They are the one's who make good, or bad, memories. Everything else is just icing on a cake!