Dress & Dazzle -6yr- Runway Show

Dress and Dazzle party:  I did this for my six year old daughter, who is now 20 but she still remembers it as one of her favorites!  We sent out invitations that we made on the computer with a pair of high heels on the front and "Dress and Dazzle." Inside we had a pretend MasterCard charge card made out to the guest. 

The invitation read to "Dress in your favorite outfit of your mom's, or another "dazzling" grown up outfit.  Bring your favorite stuffed animal or doll for an afternoon of modeling, jewelry making, and treats to celebrate _______'s birthday.   

I ordered dyed sandwich bread in pink, blue, and yellow.  I made finger sandwiches of ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and cream cheese with nuts and raisins. 

The cake that I ordered was beautifully decorated with flowers and ribbons.  I bought fresh flowers for the table.  I set the table with good china, and made punch in a big crystal punch bowl to be served in the crystal punch cups. I also had nut cups filled with mints or peanuts, chips and dips, and Bagel Bites. 

When the guests arrived, they were greeted by my ten year old son, who dressed in a black sweatsuit with a white towel draped over his arm as the butler.  He had a basket of corsages, which I had made using cardboard as backs, lots of pretty white and silver silk roses, netting, ribbon, etc.  I glued on pinbacks to attach them. 

I was dressed in a French maid costume.  The girls played a little as they waited for all the guests to arrive; we took a photo of each guest with our daughter.  12 little girls arrived with all kinds of outfits:  Mom's Easter suit, a grandmother's mink stole, hats, a big sister's homecoming dress, etc. 

My own daughter chose one of my "going out" black and red outfits, and we made a snazzy red hat to go with it.  She wore my high heels and rummaged through my jewelry box to find some old rhinestone stuff that had actually belonged to MY mother. A When all were assembled, we began with a "runway" show.  Each child had her turn to exit the room, and come in with her animal or doll to model her outfit and tell about her "baby," its name, etc.  We took lots of pictures. 

We then proceeded with presents.  Afterwards we went to our luncheon, in the dining room.  The table looked beautiful with all the colorful sandwiches, flowers, and the cake. 

After the luncheon, we then started with the jewelry making.  I had purchased bags of colorful and cheap plastic beads and stretchy gold "string."  The girls sat in the den, at the coffee table or on the floor, and used the bowls of beads to string and make neclaces, bracelets, or anklets. 

I also had purchased plastic tiaras for each girl.  The other favor was a pretty bag filled with the following:  Avon samples of tiny lipsticks, cologne vials, fingernail polish and even sample blush and eye makeup.  I had a friend who sold Avon who gave me her extras and old stuff.  I also put plenty of candy in each favor bag.  They loved it! 

They ended the party by dancing to Debbie Gibson and Paula Abdul music.  The pictures turned out great and everyone had so much fun.