1 DAY TO GO:
MEET-AND-GREET TREAT PARTY
We're not talking bribery here (never!). We're just saying that something yummy sure sweetens the back-to-school deal. Throw a make-your-own-treat party for your child's class the day before school starts, and give the kids a chance to mingle, meet their teachers, and enjoy their just desserts. For Lewiston, California, kids Spenser and Harrison Buck, ages 7 and 5, this means a poolside party starring what mom Chris Bennor describes as "my famous cupcake bar," with loads of frosting and candy toppings. "Everyone would be devastated if I didn't have it," she says. Chris invites students, staff, and teachers, and the 30 or so guests meet and greet over hamburgers and hot dogs until Chris brings out "The Tray" and the real fun starts. "Spenser loves having the kids over," Chris explains. "He's a social butterfly. But Harrison? I'm thinking I have the future Willie Wonka here. His real passion is the candy."
PARTY POINTERS
- Stay in touch. Chris circulates a sign-up sheet at the end of the year (when she finds out her kids' next class assignments), and then uses the list of numbers to coordinate summer playdates and the pool party. "I copy it for all the parents," she explains. "And then I try to scope out if any new kids have moved into the neighborhood so that I can invite them too."
- Track down the teachers. New teachers are a key piece of the back-to-school puzzle, and a party offers a relaxed, informal opportunity to connect with them.
- Stock plenty of goodies. Chris bakes loads of cupcakes from a mix and offers bowls of frosting and baby M&M's, gummy bears, chocolate rocks, and other candies that she gets from the bulk bins at her discount supermarket.
- Keep it casual. "Don't stress about everything being perfect," Chris advises. "Lots of people don't entertain because of that, but people just love going to a party!" If you can, keep it outside, where mess will be minimal and cleanup a snap; plus, you won't even have to vacuum.
EXTRA FUN: BY THE NUMBERS
Celebrate your child's new grade level by making it the theme of your party, suggests Julee Morrison of Taylorsville, Utah, mom of six kids ages 2 to 18. "At the start of third grade, for example, we picked out things with the number three: tricycle races, a three-legged race, trios of party favors (pencils and erasers), even a tres leches cake (a Latin American cream cake) with a number candle. This year my oldest son -- a graduating senior -- had twelve friends over to watch twelve movies (they were here all weekend)! And we've been doing this since he had one friend over for one cupcake."
