Dodd - Party Party

Amy Dodd and Nicholas Latimer
Also to Calico, who always observed and enjoyed the entire process!
JENNY DODD

With the production of a book there are so many people who operate behind the scenes, and without whom the publication would not be possible. The process for me started with Linda de Villiers, to whom I extend my first vote of thanks. Thank you, Linda, for your trust, input of ideas and enthusiasm, which has once again allowed me to put my ideas into print.

Sincere thanks to Beverley Dodd, the designer, who also wears the cap of my daughter. Bev, you manage to balance the two roles admirably, challenging me with regard to your professional requirements whilst always providing me with the encouragement to explore my own ideas. I am privileged to be able to utilise your indisputable talent.

Without the expertise of Joy Clacks phenomenal editing skills the manuscript would not have been possible. Thank you so much for your valuable input and for teaching me the essentials of being absolutely precise with instructions; it has paid dividends!

Amy Dodd, thank you for your contribution to this book, particularly with the Farmyard Frolics theme and the Cutting the Ice birthday cake. Not only did I value your assistance but I also appreciated your interest in each and every theme.

Ryno, it was again such a privilege for me to partake of your skills and to be able to benefit tremendously from your attention to detail; thank you so much for capturing the fruits of my labour so admirably!

Brita du Plessis and her team of Vaune Desmarais and Jen du Plessis worked tirelessly to produce the enchanting displays that contribute so much to the theme setting of the individual parties thank you for your amazing talent which encapsulated the scenes perfectly!

My amazing family Cedric Dodd, Natalie Dodd, Nicholas Latimer, Keith and Kevin Rowland, Yvonne and Theo von Ruben I appreciate your assistance and tremendous support.

JENNY DODD

Note: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate, the author and publishers accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person using this book or following the advice given in it.

Published in print in 2010 by Struik Lifestyle
(an imprint of Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd)
Wembley Square, First Floor, Solan Road, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
P.O. Box 1144, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
This ebook edition published in 2012

Copyright in published edition: Random House Struik 2010
Copyright in text: Jenny Dodd 2010
Copyright in photographs and illustrations:
Random House Struik 2010

ISBN 978 1770077 782 (print)
ISBN 978 1 43230 042 5 (Epub)
ISBN 978 1 43230 043 2 (Print)

Log on to our photographic website www.imagesofafrica.co.za for an African experience

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner/s.

PUBLISHER: Linda de Villiers
MANAGING EDITOR: Cecilia Barfield
EDITOR: Joy Clack
DESIGNER: Beverley Dodd
PHOTOGRAPHER: Ryno
ILLUSTRATOR: James Berrang
STYLIST: Brita du Plessis
STYLISTS ASSISTANTS: Vaune Desmarais and Jen du Plessis
PROOFREADER: Tessa Kennedy

A birthday in the house? Upon reflection of the miracle of birth and the joyous blessing of children, the planning of the celebration of the happy event becomes an absolute necessity! Birthdays are always anticipated with a great deal of excitement; the planning and preparations for this special day contribute so much to the enjoyment of the occasion and seem to stretch the actual birthday to so many extra fun-filled days! My third party guide is once again intended to assist (and enlist) the entire family in the fun-filled pre-planning of the event.

Hosting a birthday party for your child can be so much fun that before you close the door on the last guest, pluck the last streamer from the ceiling and dispose of the last torn bit of wrapping paper, you will already be mulling over ideas for the next one! The recipe for success is to plan ahead. Party accessories are currently big business and most outlets have a variety to enhance any theme. Confectionery suppliers and sweet manufacturers add to the simplicity of cake decorating and theme co-ordination with their vast array of goods to complement the party table.

Prepare a guest list and place it in an accessible position where the birthday child may record the RSVPs. Do remember to record the happy event by taking an abundance of photographs and include a video as well, if possible. These will provide treasured memories that will last forever!

I trust that you and your family will spend many happy hours together planning the most special day on your childs calendar, and that the ideas in this book will contribute to the joyous family event.

Should circumstances dictate that you are unable to host a birthday party, your little one may nevertheless feel special on his or her day by taking a batch of cupcakes or biscuits to school to be shared with classmates. The treats demonstrated throughout the book are easily prepared in advance and are guaranteed to delight.

Make the cake well in advance and not on the day of the party! Assemble the cake and coat with a layer of icing. Once the cake has been iced it may be covered with a large plastic bag and frozen until the day before the party, when the finishing touches may be added. Cupcakes and biscuits may also be made in advance and frozen, again adding the final decorations on the day before the party.

The themes depicted in this book can be achieved relatively quickly and easily and at a low cost, but you may wish to adapt them to suit personal time and budget constraints. Many of the ideas are interchangeable.

Setting the scene for the party need not be a formidable chore, especially if planned in advance. The entire family may be involved in creating the various items that contribute to the enchantment of the chosen theme.

The basic dcor will always include streamers and balloons. Streamers (50 mm wide) cut from sheets of crepe paper are easy to make and, when twisted before hanging, create a wonderful canopy above the party table that can reflect the dominant colours of the theme. Use a pair of pinking shears when cutting the streamers to add to the effect. Staple the ends of the streamers together to increase the length as necessary.

Balloons always add extra appeal to any party atmosphere. It has become standard practice to tie a bunch to the garden gate, allowing easy identification of the party venue and to let the rest of the neighbourhood know that a very special day is being celebrated.

Tie balloons in bunches (the theme will determine the colours) in the corners of the party room, and wherever else the children are likely to gather. Add curling ribbons to enhance the festive appearance. Take care of broken bits of balloon and dispose of them immediately as they may be dangerous if swallowed. (I prefer to use balloons for decorative purposes only, apart from inclusion in a few games where they will be handled under supervision of the games co-ordinator.)