My SD is going to be 12 years old this year. We've been planning her party and she wants it to be from the movie "Pitch Perfect." She wants Pitch Perfect decorations, cake, etc.
I think that kids her age are moving past themes like that, and she's going to invite some friends that are already in middle school this year. My SD is homeschooled, so she has no idea what the other kids feel is "cool."
The parties she has attended so far this year have been more "grown up" with no theme like that. They've had matching plates, napkins, etc. and also a matching cake but the cakes have been more generic with pretty flowers or zebra decorations.
Do you think turning 12 is too old to have a themed birthday party built around a popular movie?
Thanks for the ideas!
She liked the idea of doing a microphone cake with musical notes. Much more "grown-up" than a cake with a picture of the main character screened on it (which is what she wanted).
She's also fine with ditching the plates and doing colors instead. Instead of being a "Pitch Perfect" party it's going to be a Karaoke music party!
I felt like a cake with a picture of a movie character screened on it and plates and pictures seemed like a young thing to do (since we've done that many times in the past--Justin Bieber, One Direction and when she was younger it was Blues Clues, etc.)
The girls can sing like the stars or even watch the movie, but it doesn't have to be a Pitch Perfect party.
Great ideas! Thanks!
I think, if you are asking her what kind of birthday party she wants, and she wants Pitch Perfect, then what's the big deal. Who cares if she is "too old" for a themed birthday party. Let her stay little as long as she wants.
I didn't see that movie. I thought there was too much sarcasm in the previews... with that said, why not give her the theme she wants, and add other things
- the cup game
- karaoke
- rock star dress up
- ice cream sundae bar
The party should be as close to the birthday girls request as financially possible. It is HER party, her memories.
Hmm, how exactly will you do this theme? It's not like you're going to find party decor with Pitch Perfect logos or characters, right?
I think it sounds like fun! I would hang a disco ball above the cake table and play music from the movie. I bet you could rent a karaoke machine, I'm sure the girls would LOVE that.
A few years ago I threw my daughter a "reality" themed 13th birthday party. We did a Project Runway game with a box of fabric and ribbon scraps. We played a Fear Factor game outside where they competed in several "challenges." It was by far one of the best parties we ever had.
And lots of girls have themes for their sweet sixteen, bat mitzvah and school dances/proms, so no, I don't think 12 is too old at all!
Pitch Perfect is about high school students. My 12 yo granddaughter just watched the film this weekend and asked me to buy it. Her group of friends would love a party based on Pitch Perfect. The content is more mature than the usual themed parties. It's geared to teens. So, yes, it's her birthday and the theme is appropriate for her age. Let her have it.
Adults have themed parties. She's not too old. Also I would want my daughter to learn to do what she wants without looking for approval from others. To do what is right because that is what she thinks is right. If other's don't like it, too bad. She likes it.
Her friends will accept her choices. She is no doubt discussing this with them anyway. And I suggest she is more in tune with what is in than you are. LOL
I don't think it would so un-cool, but it does seem like most kids are moving away from themes, my DD just turned 13 and didn't want a theme (but fyi she wasn't horrified at the idea, just didn't think it necessary).
If that's what she wants, though, I say go with it. But maybe instead of the direct theme- plates, cake, etc., go with less obvious thematic elements. Like serving "perfect cupcakes' or 'pitch perfect pizza', etc. I haven't seen the movie, but pick out things from the movie- is there a food that appears a lot in the movie? Serve that. Someone have a favorite color or outfit? incorporate that. You see where I'm going. Have more representations of the movie than actual theme elements. Where is the movie set? If it was say, Chicago, serve Chicago style pizza or something. Totally easy to get creative, but be a bit more grown up.
Have fun!
I would let her do what she wants.
I don't know if it is too old but what I do know is that if that makes her happy then why not?
If her friends like her for who she is they will not be surprised by her "theme"
I say go for it, she will be "grown" up in a blink of an eye.
Many blessings
Good luck
I think that if your STEP daughter wants to have a themed birthday then why shouldn't she? So often we want "our" children to grow up faster than they need to.
If she is happy and comfortable in her skin and wants to have a themed party then that's what she should have.
I think it's important for your daughter to do what make HER happy and not adjust herself to what is "cool" or what other kids think of her. If she is inviting her "friends" they will already know she loves the movie so they probably won't think anything of it or care. Good luck.
Nothing wrong with that theme. It's a very big kid movie IMO (barely appropriate for a 12 year old).
As others mentioned add some big kid fun like a Karaoke machine and you're set. Don't worry too much about what other kids will think, if the party is fun the theme won't matter.
I haven't read other responses so sorry if I am repeating. My daughter is 14 and she doesn't really have themed parties anymore, but she LOVES Pitch Perfect(seriously she recites it all the time lol) as do all of her friends. What if you mixed it up and did one central thing in the pitch perfect theme(like the cake or a big poster or the plates or something) and everything else a more general theme like music,zebra, or bling?
Well instead of making it a "theme" with Pitch Perfect everywhere, why not make it a movie and music party? Watch the movie and do karaoke? That way she gets the essence of the movie, yet it will be "cool"...
Haven't read the other responses but if it is what she wants then go for it. I know Adults with Theme Parties - heck who knows this could be her "thing" ( meaning theme parties - I had a friend who would choose a new theme every year )
Presumably her friends who will be attending know she loves this movie. I would try to accommodate her and not judge her plans based on other people's parties. IMO, there are also many tweens that need to slow the heck down on the growing up thing. Let her have her theme.
Yes. That's my very honest answer. I would suggest that she reconsider the extent of her "theme" and maybe pull it back and do cake plates and maybe napkins in the theme and have the rest be solid/coordinating colors.
What is she planning on doing at the party?
I asked my kids who are 10 and almost 14...
10 yr old - if you did the right things - like a cup song contest or other cup song related things, have a kareoke contest, etc. - then it would be ok, oh, and do a mash up song contest like in the movie
14 yr old - agreed with the above - if done right it's ok
I know that one of the older ones had gone to parties of 12 yr olds and themes were present - legos was one I remember, another did Harry Potter stuff, she went to a Hunger Games party last summer, so it depends on the kids she is inviting. The older one went to a party after doing a musical with all jr high aged kids and the decorations had to do with the musical (Annie) and they played acting and music related games.
BUT I know that some kids who are 12 would not be cool with some themes - like Barbies, probably not a good theme, but fashion that you did on Barbies could be fine
I agree to talk it over with her and sort of voice your concerns in a nice, vague way. But, in the end I say go for it if that's what she really wants.
I do agree with some others that said maybe keep the theme as Pitch Perfect but stay away from the logo plates, decorations, etc. I don't think a cake is that big of a deal, but if you were planning on making it maybe you could do something still themed but not to young. Like maybe make a microphone cake (or cupcakes...those are really cute and easy) or a cake of the College Logo...I only saw that movie once, but surely there is a logo right?! Or maybe like a CD or CD cover or something.
The movie is for 13 years old.
PG-13.
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/pitch-perfect
If this is what she wants, then why not?
Did you talk to her about it, and your reservations... on it?
I always talk to my kids, about stuff like that.
I give them my take on it, then they give their take on it.
Then, they... decide. They have their own minds.
But as a Mom, I tell them what my thoughts are on it. So that they have more than one take on it. And can ruminate about it.
And basically, my kids don't care about keeping up with the Jones' type things. They are, themselves.
They don't go by what is "cool" or not.
But at certain ages, it may matter.
I know some kids in my daughter's class. 5th grade. And they "act" "all grown up." But really, in reality... they are just a bunch of children, who think they are 16. And grown up. And even if they are "popular"... the other kids don't really respect them, at all. They tell me this.
You can have a "theme" that your SD wishes.
Then... along with that... have more neutral decorations or plates or whatever. So that it looks more "grown up" or whatever that is. For a 12 year old.
Its up to her. Do most of her friends share the same view??? If not, then I might save that for just family party. But if so, then go for it!
Yes. Since it sounds like she is not in the loop, I would be afraid she would be embarrassed. I didn't even think 12 year olds still had parties. How about movie night with a good friend or two.
