20th March 2022

Willow's 10th Around the World Party

Willow is turning 10 years old

She had her heart set on having a Karaoke Party.  I said that's a great idea... but why don't we incorporate Karaoke into a party!  It did happen :) 

 The Olympics had just been on and Willow was so interested in all the countries.  I suggested we google information about how some of these countries celebrate their birthdays and parties.  She loved the idea and was so keen to do a lot of the research herself.  I think I'm going to lose my job at planning her parties :) We also had to be realistic about what countries we could travel to in one day.

Invitation

This was one of the first years we made the invitations by hand.  Covid was spreading everywhere in our community so we were trying hard to stay away from shopping centres etc and around big crowds.  We got out my Cricut and made these gorgeous Passports for her friends

Front & Inside Views of our Invitations.  (personal details deleted)
  

  

Decorations

We recycled a lot of decorations from old parties and discos since we couldn't get parcels in from overseas.  They were taking up to 12 weeks to get to us.  We also went to our local party shop, second-hand shops, and $2 shops where we found some great extras.

We decided to run the party like the TV Show The Amazing Race.  
We had Red Lucky Envelopes and each envelope told the guests where they were going in the world and what tasks they would be doing. 

As the guests arrived Willow was spoilt with beautiful gifts, thank you, everyone.  

She then took her friends to the departure lounge. While waiting in the departure lounge they were given a world map puzzle to complete... there were clues on the puzzle that would help with other country tasks

First destination

 Hawaii, USA

Aloha everyone, collect your lei & plumeria hair clip and get ready to have some fun.

Your task is to play a Hawaiian Game - Coconut Roll.

Roll a coconut into the centre of the ring (Hula Hoop)

You must stand behind the line, your team must get 5 coconuts in the ring.

Before leaving have a quick game of Hawaiian LIMBO.

Second Destination

ENGLAND

Welcome to England. The home of the British Monarchy.

Your task is to Play a traditional Game – Pass the Parcel.

This game was invented in England during the medieval era. During that time, a special gift would have been wrapped in cloth and pretty ribbons with a White elephant (surprise gift) in the middle.

Third Destination

CHINA

Nĭhǎo, welcome to China.  China has just hosted a successful Winter Olympics and is well known for the largest man-made structure – The Great Wall of China.

Here you will play a skillful game.  Chop Stick relays with Chinese Feng Shui Lucky Chin Coins.

Get into two teams and sit around the tables. The object of the game is to Pass as many lucky coins as possible to the person’s bowl to the left of you using only the chopsticks.  They will then pass to the next person.  How many coins will successfully go around the table?

Everyone got to keep one lucky Chinese Feng Shui Coin

HINT ....Keep it safe as you never know when you might need it

We also had Fortune Cookies .... some fortunes were so spot on!

Fourth Destination

Mexico

Hola, welcome to Mexico. Your task is to play another traditional game – Pinata

To play the pinata game, hang the pinata in its designated place and have the guests stand in a single file line three metres away. Traditionally, to play the pinata game you blindfold the first child in line, gently spin them around three times, and give them a wooden stick so they can hit the pinata. Collect your goodies and put them in the named bags supplied.

*** Before leaving Mexico, find the large Yellow Sign with six capitals of the world on it.  Write down the countries they are in.  e.g. Capital Wellington – Country New Zealand, Good luck!

Fifth Destination

Australia

G’day Mate, Make your way to Our local Park.  Here you will attempt to throw a Boomerang and have it return.  Good Luck, and watch out for the Kangaroos 😊

A returning boomerang is designed to return to the thrower. It is well-known as a weapon used by some Aboriginal Australian peoples for hunting. Boomerangs have been historically used for hunting, as well as sport and entertainment.

This was the highlight of my day... they actually returned. We were ducking and diving from the returning boomerangs. Each guest received a small set of build your own Koala brick set

Sixth Destination

Japan

- Konnichiwa, Japan is known for its food-eating competitions and sumo wrestling.

Here you will need to make two even teams. You will be given a tray of around the world foods.  You need to try them without looking.  Write down as many as you can guess. What team will guess the most?

Foods they had to try

NZ - Pineapple Lumps

Southern Africa - Gherkins

France - Brie Cheese

Japan - Wasabi Peas

USA - Snowballs

Korea - Crispy Seaweed

Philippines - Noby Caramel Puffs

China - Egg Plant

India - Fab Orange Biscuits

Southeast Asia - Sushi Ginger

Italy - Nougat

Malaysia - Buahan Fruit Pudding

Denmark - Danish Pastry

But that’s not all... there are two parts to this task.

Japan hosts speed food eating competitions ...Today what will you speed eat ...????? Weetbix LOL... it was like cement in their mouths. But we had a winner ... 8 dry weetbix!

Seventh and Final Destination

New Zealand

Kai ora, You have arrived back home in New Zealand, go to the baggage claim to collect your luggage (Loot Bags) While you wait have some fun singing Karaoke!!!

A bit of time left before being picked up by parents so we got out the Karaoke Machine and had some fun!

Party Food Cake and Drinks (my favourite part)

Thank you

A huge thank you to Willow's amazing friends who could make it to celebrate with her. And to all her friends who were in isolation due to covid, we really missed you all.

Willow was so thankful for all her gifts and for the fun day we all had.

** Brooke, Kaitlyn, Charlotte, Milly, Atawhai, Elsie, Isabelle

Shammie, Anaina, Eve, Shyla-Lilly, Charm, Nikita, JaShayse **

Mum, Dad, Jamal. Leroy & Austin