What do birthdays mean to you?

FUN! FUN! FUN!  A time to celebrate with friends of all ages.  Dancing, great food, music.  My cousin Sheilane and I celebrated our 60th birthday together and invited about 100 people.  We chose an Elvis theme, dress was 50's to 70's.  We made Ya-Ya Sisterhood hats for everyone.  Visits to local thrift shops turned up lots of costume jewelery, buttons, etc.  and feathers galore from the Dollar Store.  Our glue guns were working overtime pasting geegaws to Dollar store crowns.

Food was international - curried goat was enjoyed by all.  The disc jokey spun music of every stripe, though :Hot, Hot, Hot was the definite favourite.  The disco ball gleamed and my 2 year old grandson, Alex, with his denim jacket, and his hair sclicked into a duck tail, spent the whole night dancing  under the disco ball.  When the music stopped, he lay on the floor underl the disco ball, and rotated with it.  He was the last one to stop dancing.

Everyone enjoyed the Karaoke and there were some real stars.  The Tarot Card reader was a big hit and even the most staid of guest ventured over to her table to find out their fortune, and could drop a tip into the Kleenex box  "tip jar".  The card reader removed her shawl and bandana and then sang Karaoke  as well as Dolly Parton.    We also brought along a fortune telling machine - Ask the Wizard - and provided quarters so guests could ask questions for free.  After a lot of smoke in the globe and whirring, the Wizard would speak.It was a big hit.  The Mayor of our town sent us  congratulations plaques and a nice gift.

There were lots of poodle skirts swirling, hippie clothes,  leisure suits with while plastic belts and shoes, I found a plaid kiltie skirt complete with pin for $1. at a thrift shop.  My cousin travelled to the border town in the US to get us each a pair of White Bucks  at a Bass Shoe Store and ankle socks. I found an old"Belly Bouncer" in the bottom of my jewelry (haha) box.  All I needed was one of those pointy Petal Burst Bras.

Business friends donated so many prizes and every got a loot bag. We had a prize for everything under the sun. The most popular prize was the naughty playing cards, and the Graceland key hooks.  Everyone went home with a prize.  My most thrilling moment was when I saw my friends Tony and Cathy who drove from Washington, DC to Toronto to be at my party.(in Toronto)  
 
Don't be sad that you didn't have a lot of great birthday parties (if any) when you were a kid.
Next birthday, make the biggest and best party you can think of for yourself and invite friends of all ages.  Do it - don't waste another moment.  And get up and dance to "Hot, Hot, Hot.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYONE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR ;>)
love from mimi

PS -- my cousin and I are now planning our 65th this year!