Groovy Fondue Birthday Party.  Earlier this summer we took our boys to The Melting Pot fondue restaurant for dinner.  We hadn’t ever had fondue with them, let alone taken them to The Melting Pot, so it was a first for them.  They loved it! Our third son especially.  On the way home from dinner that night he said he would love to have friends over for a FUNdue birthday party…and then he said he wanted it to be “groovy” with tie dye.  Who was I to argue?

The first thing I did for this party was reach out to my friends at Nostalgia Electrics.  They have the most amazing products for just about any celebration.  I have been using their popcorn machine and cotton candy machines (and others) for years, and I cannot speak highly enough of the quality and style of their machines.  Nostalgia graciously sent me two fondue pots and a chocolate fountain.  My son was just about giddy when he saw the chocolate fountain too!  

 

My son has what we jokingly refer to as a harem of girlfriends.  He truly prefers the company of girls, and always has, so when we made his short guest list, he had 5 girls he wanted to invite.  Since it was just a small party (we cut down the party size once the boys go to middle school, it is so hard to gather a big group of friends when you don’t know the parents) I quickly designed some invitations and printed them on Cricut sticker paper.  I cut some tie dye scrap book paper just slightly larger than the printed invitations, then I stuck the printed invitation on top.  Super easy! Next, we brainstormed party favors.  My sister and I made tie dye t-shirts for each guest.  A package of under shirts was the cheapest option, and they were perfect.  Also, Tulip Tie Dye in squeeze bottles? So, so amazing!  Our shirts turned out so groovy! I added a few fun candies and trinkets to the goodie bags too.   Simple colored lunch bags were embellished with tie dye Duck Tape.  SUPER EASY!

I had to search high and low for tie dye party supplies, but I did find plates, cups, napkins and a table cloth at Party City.  Then, I found a plastic tie dye table cloth at 5 Below, and I grabbed that to cover my table.  (I hate plastic table cloths, but I love my wood table, and I wanted to keep it safe from spills)  Bowls of bread chunks and fresh veggies were on the table next to cheese fondue and mojo fondue.  I also had chicken and shrimp for the kids to make themselves.  I hid the extension cord under tie dye Duck Tape on the table. I found fun green beaded circle placemats for each place setting, and set the tie dye plates, napkins, and cups on the them.  I also added a friendship bracelet kit for the kids to make and trade at the party.  Paper fans, a wind chime, and a dream catcher were hung from the ceiling over the table.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found a small remnant of tie dye fabric at the fabric store, and it was just enough to use for the dessert table.  A green sheet was a great table cloth for the dessert table too. (I used a matching green pool towel on the floor to keep our carpet safe from spills too) The dessert table had a simple white cake topped with fun “tie dye” lollipops.  Fresh fruit, marshmallows, Cow Tales Crispy Moos, brownie bites, and donuts were also on the table for the chocolate fountain.  The backdrop was pretty busy, so I added a bright green framed cork board with funky quotes and Fuji Instax pictures pinned to it.  The kids loved using the Instax camera at the party! 

 

 

 

 

None of the girls at the party had ever done fondue, so they were curious and excited to try it, but the chocolate fountain was hands down the party favorite!  

My other boys have already asked for fondue night to be a regular thing at the house, and who am I to argue?