My son is turning 5 in March. Unfortunately, we will be closing escrow and moving during his birthday weekend, so we'll do the easy "day of fun" with his little brother and sister on his actual day. Going to have a family party and housewarming sometime (hopefully) in late March.
Themes are always fun, and let's face it - little ones love decorations (even though you spend a fortune on them and usually end up throwing most of them away after the party...)
I think scavenger hunts around the house or in the back yard are fun and take up some time, as well as simple arts and crafts. Perhaps instead of a traditional birthday cake, bake cupcakes and let the party-goers decorate their own.
And, at the end of the day, you can always get your daughter's input and let her play a part in the party planning. (Say that five times fast.)
Good luck to you! I'm sure it'll be a great day, no matter what.

Yeah, those decorations are a killer. She wants a Barbie themed party this year. I like the cupcake idea, save some money on buying a cake or my attempt at making one. Scavenger hunt is another good idea I hadn't thought of too. Thanks for all the great ideas.
A housewarming/birthday party will be fun for your son because it will be fairly casual but lots of people will come for him!

I came up with the cupcake idea when I was planning my 1 year olds first birthday this past Sept. I ended up doing the icing and decorating, but I thought that once my kids were old enough, the "self decorating" would be a good idea. The cupcakes were a hit, and yes, it saves lots of money.
Haven't had a "Barbie" theme as of yet - my husband and I have 2 boys, so it's been nothing but cars, trucks, pirates, and Star Wars. However, our little girl is due in 2 weeks - I'm sure Barbie dolls and pink teddy bears will be a nice change of pace.

Hi KT The party sounds great! I'd bring pink cupcakes and the biggest Barbie teddy ever. Of course the boys would have their treats too.

A Barbie teddy? That would be something to see. The image of a teddy bear with a Barbie's head is literally making me laugh... (:
Looking back, I've never been a fan of Barbie. I remember I used to always get them as gifts when I was little. My mom would put them in a Barbie suitcase (that was also a gift) and put them high up on a shelf in my closet. The case would only come down twice a year - right after my birthday, and right after Christmas - so I could put the dolls away and be done with them.
I think it was her boobs that scared me. She was called "Barbie Doll." I had many other dolls, and NONE of them had boobs - I just didn't understand the logic, I suppose (and still don't, actually.)
But hey, if my little girl ever wants a Barbie, then a Barbie she shall have... Think I might have to put my foot down on Bratz dolls, however. Don't even get me started on them.

The Barbie teddy was such a bad typo. xx
I preferred Cindy dolls - in fact I never had a Barbie!! Cindy had boobs too but they were easily hidden.
Teddies rule!

Cindy dolls don't ring a bell. I was (and still am) a huge fan of Cabbage Patch Kids. I still go down the doll isle and look at them whenever I'm out shopping. I remember I once won a CPK cake in a cake walk when I was 8. It was awesome. Not the square kind of cake - no, no, no. Someone constructed an actual sized doll out of cake and frosting. She was way too pretty to eat. My mom kept it frozen for me for about a year, then had to throw it out (it took up SO much space in the freezer.) I still remember it, though. She had blond hair and a light blue dress. Good times...

Hi KT
What's the news about your new baby girl?
Hope she got lots of pink teddies!