| There was a time when it was popular and | | | | details of his or her birthday celebration. |
| affordable to take your child and all their friends | | | | 2. Have your child choose a movie before his or |
| to a group activity such as bowling, roller skating, | | | | her guests arrive. With satellite TV, you have a |
| or the movies for their birthday celebration. As | | | | variety of movie channels to choose from, as well |
| your kids got older, these activities were a fun | | | | as video on demand. Whether it is a sports film, |
| and more "grown-up" alternative to the at-home | | | | action film, or comedy, make sure it is |
| birthday parties they were used to during their | | | | appropriate for the age group. |
| younger years, where a birthday cake and pin the | | | | 3. Stock up on props and anything else that will |
| tail on the donkey were enough for them. Now | | | | make your guests feel like they are at a movie |
| they want a place where their friends can mingle | | | | theater.a. Create movie tickets that can be |
| and they can be entertained with more than a | | | | handed to each guest as they arrive. You can get |
| couple of games. | | | | creative and write the name of your child, the |
| Unfortunately, bringing a group of kids to the | | | | date, how old they are turning, and the movie |
| movies or to the bowling alley can get expensive. | | | | that will be shown.b. Rent a popcorn machine so |
| For example, at the bowling alley you have to | | | | you can serve guests bags of buttery popcorn, |
| pay to play, to rent shoes, and for a meal and | | | | just like they do at the theater.c. Get your hands |
| sodas. At the movie theater, between the tickets | | | | on movie theater posters, or print them out from |
| and popcorn and soda for everyone, you will have | | | | your computer, and hang them around the house, |
| nothing left to buy your child a gift. | | | | especially in the room where you will be watching |
| A fun middle ground is to have a movie theater | | | | the movie.d. Set up chairs and couches in rows |
| party in your house, where the kids can watch a | | | | like they would be in a movie theater. Turn the |
| movie on satellite TV. This will save a lot of | | | | lights down during the movie to get the full effect |
| money, and there are a few tips you can follow | | | | of being in a theater.e. Make goodie bags with |
| to ensure all will have a good time. | | | | move theater candy and microwave popcorn |
| 1. Send out invitations with a movie theme to get | | | | bags to give kids on their way out. The kids can |
| everyone excited about the idea. You can find | | | | enjoy these treats next time they watch a |
| invitations at your local stationary store or even | | | | movie at home on their own satellite TV. |
| online. Have your child help fill them out with the | | | | |