Barbie Turns Forty!

Is there a better reason for a party? Who in the world has never met Barbie or Ken? Everyone has a relationship with them—for better or for worse. So why not celebrate this milestone??!

I found this article at http://www.barbie.com/40th_Anniv/index.htm, and I think it proves we should all celebrate Barbie’s 40^th year.

"Laughter, camera flashes, shimmering dresses and sleek tuxedos dotted the pink carpet tonight as the Barbie doll's celebrity friends arrived at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York to celebrate her 40^th Anniversary.

"Susan Lucci, Rebecca Lobo, Dick Clark, Joan Allen and Melissa Joan Hart were among the hundreds of familiar faces who gathered to pay tribute to the famous fashion doll for her impact on little girls' lives. The evening's festivities included a special tribute to famous women of achievement in honor of the special anniversary, an exciting performance by teen singing sensation Brandy, the unveiling of Annie Liebovitz's Barbie doll artwork and a stunning Barbie doll fashion show including fashions through the years…

"As the master of ceremonies, Dick Clark led guests through a look at where the Barbie doll has been and where she is headed, while several of the Ambassadors of Dreams shared their own Barbie doll memories. Brandy closed the evening with the debut of a song from the new Barbie ad campaign, "Be Anything." She was joined for the finale by a 50-member all-girl choir, reminding the crowd of the power of dreams.

"Since her creation in 1959 as a paper-doll-inspired friend, the Barbie doll has achieved the title of the most popular fashion doll ever created. She's held that title by adapting her look, lifestyle and fashions to meet changing times. In 1997, the Barbie doll line posted sales of $1.9 billion and more than one billion Barbie dolls (and family members) have been sold since 1959."

• Invitation/RSVP: Make your own. I found a great new software program called Barbie Print ‘n Play that you can use for this (and then give to your kids). Create all kinds of Barbie stuff—especially the invitations.

  Start with the invitation (the program helps you create it). Then make a postcard for the RSVP. The program also assists you in making "Barbie" labels…great for invitation mailing purposes.

  However, if you’re not computer savvy, most likely you will be able to find Barbie invitations at your local party store. They also have party goods that include plates, napkins, tablecloths, pink plasticware to match and more.

• Decorations: Well, the above-mentioned program also makes banners and a "Happy Birthday Banner" hung in several strategic places would be a very nice touch. On the other hand, decorate with Barbie’s favorite color—pink!

  Start at the entrance with pink and white balloon swirls.

  Add a sign-in board. What fun. No need for decorum…let people express their honest feelings about the girl. This should be fun to read when it’s over!

  Centerpieces can be different Barbie’s with balloons tied off with fabulous silk pink and white curling ribbon. Give the dolls to charity (or your favorite niece) when the party is over. There are over 135 Barbie dolls to choose from—Happening Hair Barbie, Pet Loving Barbie, Tie Dye Barbie, Glam Generation Girl Barbie, WNBA Basketball Barbie and others. But I’d go with the real thing. Stay away from Twirling Make-up Teresa, Purple Panic Christie, Extreme Green Teen Skipper and others. You’ll just confuse everyone! If you want to throw in Ken here and there, I’m okay with that. Cool Lookin’ Ken and Totally Cool Ken are your best choice! Prince Ken is a bit over the edge if you ask me.

  I’d choose to go with pink tablecloths and white napkins. Napkin rings can be plastic Barbie rings with the napkin pulled through. Pink votive candles on every table and pink heart confetti will add a perfect touch. Papergoods come in several patterns: Princess Barbie, Cheerleader Barbie and Fantasy Barbie.

  Don’t forget the bars and buffets! Put up different Barbie homes. Let’s see, there’s Barbie’s deluxe dream house, her folding house and her motor home. Don’t forget to put Barbie’s Porsche convertible in the driveway. On the dessert buffet, put up Barbie’s Cooking Magic Mini Mart for all to see. And if you get really desperate, Barbie’s Riding Stable would make another good centerpiece.

• Menu: What to serve? Well, Barbie doesn’t eat much, but since she was created in 1959 and we’re celebrating her 40^th—I’d go with 50’s food. Mini-hamburgers, French fries with gravy, milk shakes and stuff like that. Not costly and fun, too.

• Entertainment/Activities: 40 days of Barbie Trivia is at http://www.barbie.com/40th_Anniv/index.htm. Go through and compile a contest. The questions are fairly easy…but for even more fun, encourage people to be creative.

  The other thing you might want to do is have your guests identify the different Barbies by their descriptions or what they look like. Pictures of the different Barbies are readily available…and each has its own specific name. Color copy them at your favorite print shop and make it into a contest.

  And finally, have a photo opportunity with several of Barbie’s favorite outfits available for all. Let them don a pink boa, a sequin top and other Barbie favorites for a picture to remember.

• Favors: Almost all of the party goods have a matching treat bag. Buy those and fill them with fun birthday favors…Barbie blow-outs, stickers, party hats, pink candy, candy cigarettes—fun stuff like that.

Have fun!

The Party Girl