I turned a significant birthday this year. (Here's a hint -- it ends in a zero! Yikes!) Each year I host an annual party and this year I decided to make it the weekend of my birthday because I could "turn old" by myself or "turn old" with friends, and I decided it would be best with friends.
Each year I wrap stuff I've gotten free through the year. It could be something I won in a sweepstakes when aiming for a different prize, something that I got free with coupons, or some other way that I came across an item with no cost. I take all these, wrap them up and we play the "Dirty Santa" game with them. I draw a name out of a hat, person 1 can choose from all the wrapped gifts. Person 2 can steal from person 1 or choose any of the wrapped gifts. Most people play this game with "three steals and it's out" but we play unlimited steals because the gifts aren't that expensive and there will be no hard feelings. This year's most stolen items were a box of shredded wheat cereal, a pie plate, and a package of men's 2XL boxers. (Both people stealing them were women!)
I also made a pinata. I found a homemade pinata idea on Pinterest last year and mine was a far cry from that one.
Here is last year's pinata:
Well, this year I didn't have a large paper bag. I think one of my friends was a bit embarassed by the pinata I rigged this year. But the kids care about what is inside, right? This is what I came up with this year:
Someone told me they liked the multiple bag idea because when they were a child they were blindfolded, the pinata broke apart on the first try and they got no candy because they were blind folded. We had ages 4-10 so it worked well because all kids got some candy or small toys as the bags were broke open at different times!
The most special part of my party this year was I invited a former teacher of mine. She was a resource teacher and I had her from the time I was 8 until I was 12 when she moved away to get married. I have stayed in touch with her but haven't seen her since I was 12. She lives an hour and a half away, and on Friday I received an e-mail telling me she was coming! It was so nice to see her again.
Next year I'll likely move my annual party back to August or September as that's usually when I have it, but I think I'll keep the Sunday afternoon date. It seemed a better day of the week than Saturdays when I have had my party in the past.
I just can't believe I've hit the big (mumble)-zero.
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