Check it out Printables for Kids is having a SmellStickers giveaway.  It’s their first giveaway so hop over and check out the details.  SmellStickers would make great birthday party favors, or  just let your kids have fun with them.  Good luck!

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Here’s a quick look at how of Hollywood’s rich and famous celebrated birthdays with their children this last year. Do they throw elaborate parties, or have a quiet day at home? Who goes all out, and who keeps it low key?

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie planned a surprise army themed birthday for their son Maddox this last August. Check out the party details, and photos.

Looks like Brooke Shields chose a Tweety theme for her daughter Grier’s first birthday party.

Miley Cyrus celebrated her 15th birthday in November with a sold out concert in Nashville. She said she wanted nothing more for her birthday than to play in front of fans in her home town. Now that’s a big birthday bash!

Here’s a video of the audience singing happy birthday to Miley.

Suri Cruise has pizza and cupcakes from Sprinkles on her first birthday. Sounds good to me! Check out the details of their family birthday lunch.

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Looking for handmade invitation ideas for your princess, or knight party? Here’s an idea you can use or build on to make your own invites.

A Royal Scroll
Purchase some parchment paper from your local office supply store. Hand write all the details for your party on the parchment paper, or use a handwriting font and print the details on the pages. Sponge paint the edges, or use some theme related stamps to decorate the edges of the page.

Roll each page up like a scroll. Tie the scrolls with a decorative ribbon, and hand deliver your invitations.
Princess Knight Party Supplies

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I like to make a new photo ornament with my son’s photo every year. Here’s one from a couple years ago. Just use a wooden cutout shape, a heart was used for this ornament. You can find these wooden cutouts at your local craft store, or cut out your own if you’re handy with the saw.

Glue a recent photo in the center, and surround the photo with buttons, glitter, or whatever you want. The outer edge of the ornament is finished with lace. Drill a small hole in the top to attach a string.

Start a new tradition in your family, and preserve those younger years. These simple ornaments also make gifts for grandparents.

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Yikes, I’m late for Char’s cookie swap.

Here’s a great cookie recipe I got from my mother-in-law.

Mexican Wedding Cookies

1 cup butter

2 cups flour

3/4 cup powder sugar, reserve 1/4 cup

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans

Mix all ingredients, and roll into small balls. Place the balls on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes in an oven preheated to 325.` Roll the hot cookies in the reserved powdered sugar, then repeat the roll when the cookies are cool.

This is one of my favorite cookies to have around the Christmas holiday.

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I know this has nothing to do with children, or birthday parties, but bear with me through this one post. I read eMoms at Home’s post today about using social media, and it started my brain cranking. I had to post a response, and it landed here.

I use social media to interact with other bloggers, and writers. It can get kinda lonely here by myself all day, and I really enjoy the interaction, and getting to know others with similar interests. I have made several good connections through social media.

Sometimes it’s hard to justify the time spent on social media, but I look at it as the string that ties everything together. Interacting with others helps keep you connected. It can also lead to some great opportunities.

I recently had the opportunity to start blogging at Mother Earth’s Garden. I don’t think I would have had that chance if I just sat here and published blog posts and did not interact with others through blog comments, forums, and social networks. The best part is I’m building some great relationships with people I really enjoy working with.

Social Networking also ties everything together by creating a network of links. I get my information out there for others to view, and at the same time I get to see what everyone else has to say (and keep up on the latest gossip while I’m doing it). Getting paid to interact with others, what can be better than that?

Ok, back to our regularly scheduled program…

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I announced it on my b5media blog, Mother Earth’s Garden this morning, and I’m excited to announce it here. The First Annual b5media Lifestyles Channel Holiday Blogging Awards.

b5media’s recruited some of the greatest bloggers from around the sphere to step up as judges for the following categories:

Best Holiday decoration of a Blog - Any blog or blogger who has decorated their blog for the holidays either entirely or in an subtle way. Prize: $20 USD via Paypal and links from channel blogs.

Best post about Christmas on a Blog - The best posting about Christmas or holiday activities on a blog. It can be religious or non-religious, but should celebrate the spirit of the season. Prize: $20 USD via Paypal and links from channel blogs.

Best Holiday image or video on a Blog - The best display of your own personal holiday decorations on a blog. It can be religious or non-religious, but again, should celebrate the spirit of the season. Prize: $20 USD via Paypal and links from channel blogs.

All you have to do to win is submit your entry to our Holiday Blogging Awards host post. Be sure to include the link to be judged or risk disqualification. It’s THAT Easy and what’s better than FREE Money!?!

So get out that Christmas bling, and let the warm fuzzy Christmas stories flow.

Nominations will close at midnight December 13th and winners will be announced on Monday December 17th.

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Here’s a great idea for a children’s Christmas party activity. Make salt dough ornaments. Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients

1/3 cup salt

1 Tablespoon of tempura paint (if you want a color to your ornament) or 1/4 cup cinnamon (if you want the natural look with a yummy scent)

1 3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup of water + 1 tablespoon if needed

To make the ornaments

Step 1. Combine all ingredients together in a medium size bowl. Mix well then knead by hand until smooth. If necessary add more water one tablespoon at a time.

Step 2. Pat or roll the dough out to 1/2 inch thick. Then cut with your favorite cookie cutter shape.

Step 3. Use a toothpick to make a hole to string your ornament up for the tree.

Step 4. Arrange the ornaments on a baking sheet and bake at 225` for 30 minutes at a time. Check the ornaments every 30 minutes. When the ornament is no longer soft at its widest part the ornament is done.

Step 5. Decorate your ornament. You can paint them, or varnish them. You can also glue glitter, or gemstones to the ornament.

Step 6. Give your ornament as a gift, or hang it on your tree.

Salt dough ornaments are a great idea to make at a party. The children can each make one or two ornaments to give their parents as gifts. You can help them decorate and wrap the ornaments. Every parent cherishes a gift made from the heart by their own child, or grandchild.

Caution: These are not edible.

More children’s Christmas party planning ideas

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5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a contest where you can win an incredible prize pack from Parents® Toys. I didn’t know Parents® Magazine had a line of toys, but check them out there’s some pretty cool stuff. From an MP3 player, to a mom and baby fitness CD. This would be a great prize pack to have under the Christmas tree this year.

How do you enter? Hop on over and check out the details. Christmas may just come early for you this year.

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Enchanted was number one at the box office last weekend. If you’re little princess is asking for an Enchanted birthday here are some ideas to help you make it happen.

Celebrate Express has Enchanted Party Supplies , the set includes, 8 dinner plates, cups, forks, spoons, 16 napkins, tablecover, centerpiece, mylar balloon, 18 assorted balloons, 50 yards of curling ribbon and 3 rolls of 81′ crepe paper streamers in 3 colors, cake candles, confetti and thank-you notes.

You can also use princess party supplies, and decorations for your party. Use a Castle Pinata, and all little princesses love to play dress-up.

Make a castle cake, or add a tiara to the top of a layered cake. Add a tea party with little tea cups, plates, and finger foods. Your little girl will have a blast being a princess for the day.

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