How to Plan a Spa Party for Girls

A spa party makes a great birthday celebration or even just a fun play date! Plan time for the girls to be pampered like the little princesses that they are!

Things You'll Need

• A plan to follow!

Instructions

1. This theme is built around a spa experience. Ideas to include are: Shampoos, Manicures, Pedicures, Facials, Massages, Steam Room, Hot tub, Hair styling, and Makeup application.

2. Set a budget and decide how much you will spend on each "experience." This party can be scaled down to be more affordable. The example given below is more expensive.

3. Will you be having the party at your home? If expense is not a factor, getting the hotel suite at a hotel is a great place to throw this party! In the example below, we will have the honeymoon suite at a local hotel.

4. Make the guest list with your child. It's best to keep the list for this party small. I would recommend 6 girls, at most.

5. Choose the date and time for the party. In the following example, it is an afternoon party, including dinner and the girls are sleeping over. Whatever time you choose, make sure there is plenty of time to set the spa mood of relaxation and pampering.

6. Create or purchase invitations and mail them out 3-4 weeks in advance of the party. Ask for an RSVP at least 1 week before the party so you know how many guests will be present. If you are creating your own invitations some ideas include: scented, lacy pink invitations, or invitations with cucumber or lipstick page border. If you are ordering, check out partycat.com. You could also opt to send an email invite through evite.com.

7. For the party example below, ask the girls to bring comfy clothes, pajamas, swimwear and a nice outfit.

8. Decide the type of refreshments you will offer. This will depend on the time of day you are having the party. Think of comfort foods that correspond with the spa theme.

9. Finalize the spa "stations" you will have at the party and plan a timeline of events. The next several steps are examples of a sleepover spa party held at a hotel that starts at 3 in the afternoon.

10. As the children arrive greet them with a slushy fruit drink in a fancy glass. Have them sit on a bed of pillows on the floor and chat with their drinks until everyone arrives.

11. Once everyone has arrived, have them move to the "polish" station. This station should include large bowls to soak, scrubs, trimmers, nail files, polishes and stickers. Give them time to decorate their fingernails and toenails.

12. As they finish painting move them to the "facial" station. As their nails dry, have them lay back and put a face mask on their face and cool cucumbers over their eyes to relax. The face mask can be as simple as plain yogurt, or an oatmeal paste. Or you can purchase a prepared mask. Allow the girls to sit back and relax at this station for a bit of time.

13. Now it's time to move to the "hair" station. Have a set up with shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products and things to accessorize the hair. Rinse the face masks first and then shampoo each girl, blow out her hair and style. This will take some time, so have fruit and veggie trays for the girls to snack on as they chat and wait for their turn.

14. As the girls finish their hair, move them to the "make-up" station. Here they will have make-up applied and put the final touches on their appearance. This can be as simple as you like. If the girls are young, lotions and perfumes can be as far as you go. If they are older a full make-up application may be the way to go.

15. Have the girls put on the nice outfit they brought and then take them to dinner in the hotel restaurant.

16. Following dinner, have the girls put on their swim suits and end the night in the hotel pool and/or hot tub.

17. Back in the room, make the girls milk shakes as they wind down for bed.

18. Give each girl a favor at the party. Ideas that go with the theme are bath salts, bubble bath, eye masks, nail polish or fluffy robes.

Tips & Warnings

• Having several adults to help move the girls through the stations smoothly is a good idea!

• Make sure you know all the girl's allergies.