About Tween Spa Parties

Tween slumber parties offer plenty of fun, but most especially when there is a theme that activities and entertainment can circle around. Spa parties for the roughly 8- to 14-year-old crowd are not just easy and affordable, they create the perfect excuse for girls to pamper themselves, whether the occasion is a birthday or a "just because" day.

The Prep

Set the mood for spa night with the invitations. Evite.com is a simple way to spread the word. The website's spa-themed invitations range from "Bamboo Fresh" and "Spahhh..." for the zen approach, or, for something girlie "Spa Delight." Or, try the homemade option: Take construction paper or scrapbooking paper and embellish with Jolee's Boutique "Spa Retreat" stickers or "Day Spa" stickers courtesy of Paper Bliss Adhesive Embellishments (see Resources below.) If it's possible to hand-deliver invitations, consider purchasing inexpensive bars of soap, wrap them in ribbon and attach the invitation to the bar.

The Mood

Spa parties are all about relaxation, which the decor can set. Candles are a must and should be scattered throughout the room. In addition to tea lights and pillar candles, a touch of elegance can be added by taking crystal bowls, filling them with water and placing floating candles in them. Pillows are another decoration must. Ask guests to bring their favorite pillows in addition to the ones that the hostess provides. Since comfort is key, there is no way to overdo on the pillows.

Manicures and Pedicures

Before the guests arrive, set up a TV tray or a small table with pedicure and manicure incidentals that they can select on their way in. Offer a wide range of nail polish colors, from champagne pink, a delicate favorite, to emerald green, for the daring crowd. As guests arrive and get settled in, fill large bowels with warm water and bath salts in soothing scents such as lavender or rose geranium. Let each guest's feet and/or hands soak until the skin is softened. Once done soaking, it's time to take care of calloused heels and/or palms with pumice stones or foot brush files, even jagged nails with a basic salon board and push back cuticles using wood cuticle sticks. End with nail polish.

Grab Some Goodies

What would a night of luxury be without the treats? Naturally, chocolate is a go-to must. For something quick and easy, grab a box of chocolates and then set them out on dainty napkins. For something fancier, chocolate fondue is the way to go. Add a bowl of strawberries in the mix and the fondue is complete. Other finger foods that work are veggie trays, sliced fruits and cheese trays. Also, as any spa will tell you, staying hydrated is key, which means have plenty of bottles of water on hand; take it to the next level by serving the water in crystal glasses with slices of lemon.

Entertainment

Have plenty of beauty and tween magazines scattered around the room so guests can peruse at their leisure.

Also consider showing a classic "chick flick." Some ideal, (both popular and forgotten) movies include: "Clueless," "Mean Girls," "Mad Miss Manton" (This features Barbara Stanwyck as a NYC socialite who is constantly trying to solve murders. It's a classic comedy where she and her friends are running around, much to the ire of the police, in their silk robes with fur collars, looking every bit the leading ladies as they play Nancy Drew), and "Shag." (Made in the "Dirty Dancing" era, this was an unappreciated road-trip movie where four friends, who have just graduated from high school, decide to have a last go at wild fun down in Myrtle Beach. Taking place in the early '60s, "Shag" is a local dance craze and the contest on the beach is the finishing set piece. Keep an eye out for Bridget Fonda in a platinum-blond 'do that is as sassy as her character).

Or, with so many great shows debuting on TV, try one of those classics that had you glued to the TV and leave homework for another night: "Beverly Hills 90210," "Dawson's Creek," "Party of Five," "Gossip Girl," the complete first season, or "My So Called Life."

Resources

• Find spa-themed scrapbooking stickers at Scrapbook.com
• Find more spa-themed scrapbooking stickers here at Create for Less
• Essential Oils to Add to Water When Soaking Feet/Hands