Backward Birthday Party for Adults
From the end to the beginning, this "ytrap" (party!) is backward. By doing the favorite birthday party activities first--eating dessert and opening presents--one thing is for sure, everyone loves this party!
Make It Special!
Invite Backward
- Yes, we mean everything is done backward, so use thank-you notes to invite guests. Write words on invitations backward for additional fun. Suggest guests wear clothes backward or wear out-of-season or out-of-style clothing.
- Greet Guests Backward
- Hang a sign at the front door asking guests to enter your back door. Wearing your clothes backward and shoes on opposite feet, greet guests with your back facing them and by saying, "Good-bye, glad you came!"
Create a Backward Language
- Make "backward name tags" for guests to wear. Sam is now Mas; Bill is Llib; Todd is Ddot; Karen is now Nerak; Anne is Enna; Sue is Eus; Barb is Brab; and Kay becomes Yak. Supply guests with a bag of plastic poker chips when they arrive. If they do NOT speak backward, they forfeit a chip. At the end of the party, award a "prize" to the person with the most chips left. The prize could be a trophy with "The Most Backward Person" lettered on it or a broken, dented, or tarnished or undesirable item.
Decorate Backward
- Helium balloons on strings are "out" for this party! Hang balloons you've blown up from strings. Yes, balloons will hang down.
- Make a backward birthday banner by taping cutout letters backward on a window or wall.
Eat Backward
- Last becomes first! You guessed it, dessert! Everyone loves this part. Eating cake and ice cream and opening presents first is a bonus, especially for the one who's having the birthday! For another backward idea, gift all the guests with a small wrapped present. Wrap it in old paper or use the paper inside-out. Allow some time before serving the main meal. It's a great time for more backward games and fun!
Backward Games and Fun
- Create backward stories. Divide guests into teams of up to six. Have them create a story they read to the group. You can hand out backward words created on the computer and ask them to use them in their story, or require selected letters from a board game be used.
- Play a target game backward. Make a large target design of concentric circles with a magic marker on poster board, and place on the floor. Assign points in 10-point increments from the center outward with the most points on the outer rings (backward from the usual). The object of the game is to score the most points by tossing beanbags (purchased or homemade) onto the target. Instead of trying to toss the beanbag onto the center of the target, toss the bags to the outer rings of the target where the most points are gained. Make the game even more difficult by having guests stand with their backs to the target and use their left hand (if right-handed). Award an additional "backward prize" to the player with the least number of points.
- Sing Happy Birthday backward. Have the words printed out so guests can sing with gusto! "You to Birthday Happy!, "You to Birthday Happy!", etc. Be sure to print the birthday person's name backward.
Offer Food Backward
The food in this menu is backward, too, so the dessert appears at the top and the appetizer at the bottom. The cake is baked in ice-cream cones! The preparation guide for this party is not at all backward. In fact, the preparation is especially easy, and many things can even be done ahead of party time.
- Slice ice cream (using an electric knife will make quick work of this), and serve on plates instead of in bowls. If you serve a topping for the ice cream, place it on the plate before the ice cream.
- Serve spaghetti noodles on top of the sauce.
- Offer appetizers just before guests leave.
Say Good-Bye Backward
- Help guests walk backward out the front door, and say "Hello" to them as they leave.
Send Thank-You Notes Backward
- Write thank-you notes on invitations, and include a photo of the guest in backward attire. Address the envelopes upside down.
Party Pictures
Preparation Guide
The Day Before
- Make Whipped Frosting Cupcake Cones; store loosely covered.
- Slice ice cream. Stack slices with waxed paper in between; store tightly covered in freezer.
- Prepare veggie sticks; cover and refrigerate separately.
About 3 Hours Before Serving
- Prepare Chicken Kabobs for marinating; refrigerate.
About 1 Hour Before Serving
- Make dough for Cheese-Garlic Biscuits, and drop onto cookie sheet; cover and refrigerate.
- Make Chili Spaghetti and noodles.
About 20 Minutes Before Serving
- Broil Chicken Kabobs; make Peanut Sauce.
- Bake Cheese-Garlic Biscuits.
- Make Frosty Fruity Sodas.