Party People - I need creative

[thyme4change]

In my friend group of ~8 families, 5 of them are sending either their first or last kid to college in the next couple of weeks. One of the guys noticed that the women were getting a little weepy (how dare they) and asked me, an experienced empty nester, to throw a pity party for the Moms to get it all out. Although he was being a little mean spirited - I thought hosting a party would be fun.

I’m thinking of calling it a reverse baby shower. And I can kinda play off the usual shower format. But, I am open to a different theme.

I want to play some kind of game, and the prizes would be things like movie tickets, books, a craft set of some sort, etc.

Because we have all known each other for a majority of their kid’s childhood, I would love to be able to get a little deeper. Maybe asking people to share something a little more personal about their relationship with the departing child.

So - I’m looking for ideas:

- Games
- Activities
- Conversation starters
- Gifts
- Decor
- Party favors / survival kits
- Other thoughts and suggestions

I also have no problem asking them to do homework - send in pictures, or answer questions ahead of time, etc. So, if you think of something that needs prep work - we can get that done.

Thanks!!

[busymom]

Are you creative enough to design "empty nest" bingo cards?  Fill them up with college terms like FAFSA, admissions, registrar.  The possibilities are endless.  


I'm joost sayin', it sounds like a party where you'll need some alcohol.  You could have a theme, like a parent's kegger.  Or, maybe you want to go to something more adult in beverages?


This sounds like a great party.  We'll be expecting you to report back afterwards.  


My first thought for a conversation starter:  What are you going to miss LEAST about having your child at home?     Laundry pile?  Empty fridge?  Towels on the bathroom floor?  Or...?

[azucena]

I think this party is a great idea.

Have you seen the fb reels where the dad posts texts from teens? Those are hilarious! You could maybe borrow them and have moms link most likely teen to have text it.

[thyme4change]

Aug 13, 2024 17:53:05 GMT -5 azucena said:

I think this party is a great idea.

Have you seen the fb reels where the dad posts texts from teens? Those are hilarious! You could maybe borrow them and have moms link most likely teen to have text it.

Love this!

[thyme4change]

Aug 13, 2024 16:00:04 GMT -5 busymom said:

Are you creative enough to design "empty nest" bingo cards?  Fill them up with college terms like FAFSA, admissions, registrar.  The possibilities are endless.  


I'm joost sayin', it sounds like a party where you'll need some alcohol.  You could have a theme, like a parent's kegger.  Or, maybe you want to go to something more adult in beverages?


This sounds like a great party.  We'll be expecting you to report back afterwards.  


My first thought for a conversation starter:  What are you going to miss LEAST about having your child at home?     Laundry pile?  Empty fridge?  Towels on the bathroom floor?  Or...?

I will definitely have drinks and food. Probably no theme with those, but maybe….

If I ask each Mom what their kid’s favorite fruit is and then make them each a cocktail incorporating that fruit?

I also like the idea of incorporating college terms and such.

[Opti]

If I ask each Mom what their kid’s favorite fruit is and then make them each a cocktail incorporating that fruit?

Why not have them make their own cocktails with stuff you set out, and they will have to go around the room and explain what they put in theirs that reminded them of their kid and what was in the cocktail that was pure them. Its separation anxiety for some, so they need to be reminded they will be OK and so will their kids.

Similarly, maybe have packets of ramen noodles or serve delivered pizza to simulate the college eating experience when dorm food is not enough. Play games of what should be in a care package. Have them design a care package for themselves. You could also do a themed game with a year or two from when these future college kids existed only as a twinkle or egg in mom's ovaries. Who were they as people then? Share memories of then and perhaps their own college or post birth family years.

[irishpad]

This is such an awesome party idea!   I don't have a specific idea for a game / conversation starter, but I would guess that one of the ideas / themes could be about what they are going to do with all the time they use to spend dedicated to their children (running them around, going to their events, helping with homework)   Now they can to more things focusing on themselves

[thyme4change]

Aug 14, 2024 8:28:52 GMT -5 irishpad said:

This is such an awesome party idea!   I don't have a specific idea for a game / conversation starter, but I would guess that one of the ideas / themes could be about what they are going to do with all the time they use to spend dedicated to their children (running them around, going to their events, helping with homework)   Now they can to more things focusing on themselves

This is what I was thinking.

I’m trying to figure out if I can get an information exchange group going (not that we don’t already) - but a fun way to suggest books, shows, movies, music, activities, etc. But I can’t figure out a cute way to do that.

Maybe I will have every one submit their favorite of each and make a poster or something. Hmmm

[Opti]

Aug 14, 2024 8:51:01 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Aug 14, 2024 8:28:52 GMT -5 irishpad said:

This is such an awesome party idea!   I don't have a specific idea for a game / conversation starter, but I would guess that one of the ideas / themes could be about what they are going to do with all the time they use to spend dedicated to their children (running them around, going to their events, helping with homework)   Now they can to more things focusing on themselves

This is what I was thinking.

I’m trying to figure out if I can get an information exchange group going (not that we don’t already) - but a fun way to suggest books, shows, movies, music, activities, etc. But I can’t figure out a cute way to do that.

Maybe I will have every one submit their favorite of each and make a poster or something. Hmmm

Well for the movies, couldn't you just print up current showings in the area that will be current for the day of the party? You could have links to previews, etc. Find out the kinds of movies people like. My local library has copies of books coming out that I get since I get library book delivery. Your local library could be a great resource. Mine also has passes to various places you can check out and talks both in person and virtually.

[swamp]

Aug 14, 2024 0:03:06 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Aug 13, 2024 16:00:04 GMT -5 busymom said:

Are you creative enough to design "empty nest" bingo cards?  Fill them up with college terms like FAFSA, admissions, registrar.  The possibilities are endless.  


I'm joost sayin', it sounds like a party where you'll need some alcohol.  You could have a theme, like a parent's kegger.  Or, maybe you want to go to something more adult in beverages?


This sounds like a great party.  We'll be expecting you to report back afterwards.  


My first thought for a conversation starter:  What are you going to miss LEAST about having your child at home?     Laundry pile?  Empty fridge?  Towels on the bathroom floor?  Or...?

I will definitely have drinks and food. Probably no theme with those, but maybe….

If I ask each Mom what their kid’s favorite fruit is and then make them each a cocktail incorporating that fruit?

I also like the idea of incorporating college terms and such.

bring a dish to pass incorporating the kids favorite foods. 

I'm envisioning 7 pizzas and a chicken nuggets. 

[swamp]

moms provide some baby pictures and you have to match the baby to the kid. 

[swamp]

Teen slang challenge.   

Have the kids write down some of the current slang and make a test from deciphering the meaning. 

Example, the other day DD said, "That fit slaps," and "bestie got no rizz." 

[swamp]

and, can I come? 

[thyme4change]

Aug 14, 2024 9:50:53 GMT -5 swamp said:

moms provide some baby pictures and you have to match the baby to the kid. 

That might be too easy - as I remember most of them as babies 😆

[thyme4change]

Here is what I’ve got so far

1. Pictures for slide show:

- I’m going to ask each person to send me 3 or 4 pictures of their kid: a baby picture, the most embarrassing picture and their favorite picture - maybe their senior portrait?

- I may ask them to send a picture of themselves before their first kid was born - just seems fun.

- I will ask them to send a picture of a place they recommend to visit within our state and be ready to tell us about their trip to that place.

I will put all of those into a slideshow which will show on the TV all night and we can talk about the pictures as they pop up.

2. Prizes and take-homes:

- I am going to ask everyone to buy something with the logo from their kid’s school. I will provide matching plain gift bags and we will do a white elephant style exchange. There will be a price limit.

- I will have the following prizes: A book, a movie gift certificate, a puzzle and/or atwo person game, a hobby kit - like the one where you learn to crochet and a ‘certificate’ to go to a concert of their choice at my favorite venue (which means they pick the band and I will buy the tickets - it is a small place and most of the concerts are like 25 bucks). If you have any other suggestions - let me know - I think there could be improvements here.

3. Games: (I’m still working on these - and will narrow it down as we won’t have time for all of these)

- I will make a list of traits and have everyone fill out a card - where did your kid get that trait. It will include physical things like ‘hair’ and personality things like ‘temperament’. They can pick themselves, the kid’s father or “other”. We will all go around and guess where we think the kid got each trait. Points will be awarded.

- Some kind of trivia/answers type game that encompasses things like “what will you do with the extra room” to general college trivia.. Points will be awarded.

- I am also trying to figure out a game that has us guessing about each other’s college experiences, but that one is yet to be defined. This might just be a conversation starter - no game or points.

- A game where each person has to draw a picture of their child, based on one of the pictures they submitted, using their non-dominant hand and the rest of us have to guess who is who.

- they each fill out a card that answers these questions: What will you tell people you will miss the most? What will you actually miss the most? What will you miss the least? I will read the cards and everyone can guess who that is.

- Who cried more: you or your child - when you dropped them at college, the first two weeks of their life, dropping them off at school or daycare the first time, during milestone or transition times.

- possibly roast your child

4. The points:

I am going to buy bunches of the airplane size alcohol bottles and those will be the points. The person with the most bottles at the end of the night gets to pick their prize from the prize pile first. And keep all the mini bottles.

5. Not that we will need them - but conversation starters:

- What was your life like before you had kids?

- What is your favorite book, movie, TV show, podcast, or other waste of time?

- Tell us about dropping your kid off at their dorm.


This feels like a lot - but better to start with too many ideas and cull it down than not enough ideas.

I haven’t thought through food - but I am liking having everyone bring something that has some story or connection to their kid.

And of course there will be drinks.

What do y’all think?

[thyme4change]

Aug 14, 2024 9:53:29 GMT -5 swamp said:

Teen slang challenge.   

Have the kids write down some of the current slang and make a test from deciphering the meaning. 

Example, the other day DD said, "That fit slaps," and "bestie got no rizz." 

I forgot about this one - I may add it in.

And yes - you should come. I think you would fit in splendid with my crew!

[ken a.k.a OMK]

- I am also trying to figure out a game that has us guessing about each other’s college experiences, but that one is yet to be defined. This might just be a conversation starter - no game or points.

This could be dangerous. 

[thyme4change]

We got some more ideas. We are going to make a nest and put some baby birds (fake) in it. One of the games will be to use a chopstick in your mouth - no hands - to push the bird out.

We are also considering making a big check and playing “pin the kid on the money” 😂

[thyme4change]

Party was fabulous.

We had a sparkling wine toast. And then continued on with several bottles of wine.

I got some cute buckets (6 inch tall) and my friend got some paint. We did handprints and painting on them.

We had a slide show of all of us younger and pics of our kids - that was fun to watch together.

We had a potluck dinner where everyone brought their kid’s favorite food. We had chips & salsa, wings, Mac and cheese, a salad from the place on the corner, caprese salad, cheeseburger pasta, risotto, potstickers, fruit and cookies.

We talked about dorms and birth and our first roommates and our kid’s dorms and what they are experiencing, etc.

We had them pin the kid on the check (btw - you can buy a giant check that is dry erase for like 15 bucks on Amazon - we took turns filling out the various fields in hilarious ways.) Blindfold, spinning people around - pretty funny.

We did get nests and birds and had people try and push the birds out with a chopstick. It was hard, but so funny. You got points for how far the bird flew. One gal’s bird bounced backward and got negative 3 inches 🤣🤣

I had trivia about college and wine - with additional fun facts. I had true/false, guess the closest number and multiple choice as well as a list of odd classes that they had to match to their kid’s college.

And ended with everyone guessing what the hobby is when told the technical name - my example is taxidermy - but the others were not as well known. I am in awe of the creativity and humor of my friends.

The points were mini-bottles of booze that everyone put in their buckets. I think I gave out about 50 points (the guy behind us at total wine saw us buying all these little bottles and said “Shit” and changed lanes - hahahaha). As people got questions right I would throw the bottles at them. I was very generous with the points- this was a contest of integrity - no judges l, just tell me if you should get a point.

The person with the most points got to pick first- but everyone got a prize - a puzzle of all the national parks, a wobble crochet kit, a non-fiction book called “f*cking history”, a game called “dirty minds”, a sketch pad, a couple of herb plants, a game for couples and a fiction book.

It was awesome. Thanks for the ideas.

[toomuchreality]

I'm happy it turned out well and you had fun!