Hit of the Party: The Complete Planner for Children's Theme Birthday Parties

I need activities for a three year-old's birthday party. Ideas? (2 answers)

The party is for a boy and the theme is mickey mouse.

At children's birthday parties, is there a new practice of no longer opening the gifts? (5 answers)

At several recent parties attended by my 7-year-old granddaughter, the gifts that everyone had brought for the birthday child were never opened. The parents just piled them in a corner, where they remained, wrapped, presumably to be opened after everyone had gone home. This seemed extremely rude -- at all kids' birthday parties my own kids ever went to (and all the ones we gave for them), at some point the guests always gathered around as the child opened each present, everyone oohed and ahhed, and the giver was properly thanked. When this didn't happen recently the first time, I assumed the parents didn't know any better. When it happened at two more parties, I was disturbed. Opening presents at the party is just basic good manners, and also provides an opportunity for the birthday child to practice social skills/politeness. Is failing to arrange this a new trend among younger parents?

What is your unique idea for a fun theme party? (5 answers)

Some call it tacky, but I LOVE theme parties. The ideal theme works as icebreaker and entertainment all in one. I've attended and hosted some fun and interesting theme parties (I'll post about the one involving party-goer views of Rush Limbaugh in discussion.) Please tell me about the fun and unusual theme party you attended or hosted OR your idea for one.