Birthday’s are a big deal in our home. Everybody’s birthday is celebrated and marked in some way but especially Anya’s as for kids, there’s nothing more special. Anya’s birthday is in December and due to a major house move in December 2014, we weren’t able to have a proper party for Anya’s 6th birthday. So when she turned 7 last month, we wanted to celebrate properly.
Winter is always a trickier time for parties as having an outdoor party is out of the question. I didn’t want to hire a venue as it never feels personal enough so we decided on a small party of 10-12 kids at home. And then we thought about possible themes. We went through quite a few ideas but none felt inspired or exciting enough until I thought about a Bollywood party. Anya was so excited by this idea that I knew we had found our theme.
I began by creating a list of Bollywood party ideas and getting inspiration from old Bollywood films. The first thing I did was make the invites and we went for a colourful Bollywood film poster style. We personalised each invite by making the starring role in the name of the child whose invite it was and the rest of the kids were listed as co-stars. (I have blurred out our address and contact details for obvious reasons).
To create a Bollywood atmosphere we printed out loads of old, classic Bollywood film posters and put them up on one whole wall.
We also got some fake marigold flower garlands from ebay and hung them up at the entrance to the living room, where the party took place. We kept the cake really simple and opted for a naked cake simply decorated with a homemade garland and a couple of the marigolds. The cake was made by Mirna Cakes – my talented friend who is the best cake maker I know.
We got some Indian gift bags for the party bags and filled them with bangles, bindis, anklets and a few other treats.
We kept the table decorations simple – using stars, gold and lights as the theme as Bollywood is all about the shining stars. All the plates, straws, balloons and tableware are from Pretty little party shop – my go to party store as they have the best selection on offer.
We also got typical Indian clay dias and made place names for the kids using card cut out in the shape of a flame. The kids were so excited about having a named place to sit at – I never realised this would be something they would love so much!
The kids put on some Bollywood style jingle belts, bangles and bindis and got ready to dance Bollywood style!
And then the dancing and fun began!
I put henna on Anya’s hands to complete the whole Indian look. I had planned to henna all the girls hands but chickened out at the last minute – my walls are all pure white and I want them to remain that way 😉
This was probably the most fun kids party we’ve ever thrown. Bollywood is such a great theme for a kids party because it’s all about colour, music and dance. The best part about Bollywood party ideas is that you can really do anything colourful with an Indian twist. The kids had a blast so it was worth all the planning and effort. Next I want to throw an adult Bollywood party!
This is literally the most beautiful post I’ve ever laid eyes on, seriously stunning, from gorgeous A to the detailing of the table decorations and those party bags. Wow! I used to collect bangles as a child and my Mum grew up on a diet of Bollywood movies in Cyprus-my favourite is khabi kushi khabi gham. I actually met Om Puri when we both opened at film festival in Bradford years ago and I taught on Anupam Kher’s Acting course in London a few years back. This has not only brought back incredible memories for me but it’s brought real sunshine to our grey day here, thank you lovely and Happy belated Birthday to A xx
Thank you lovely. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham is a lovely film. Another I wholeheartedly recommend is Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara – if you ever get a chance to see it, do! Anupam Kher is great and so is Om Puri. Must have been fab to meet them. Now I need to plan my adult Bollywood party and you need to come! xx
OMG, the most colourful party I have ever seen! It looks absolutely amazing, and bet Anya loved every second of it, and was proud of your real effort.I don’t blame you about the henna tatoos, but they are beautiful, Isabelle had one done at her school xmas fair. Hope I get the invite for the adult party….;-) and a Happy Birthday to your gorgeous 7 year old xxx
Thank you lovely! Anya and all her friends had a ball. And yes, of course you will be invited – I really want to have a grown-up one later this year and would LOVE to have you over xxx
So vibrant, fun and energizing…you have such a great eye…stunning! I can only imaging how your guest of honor and all her co-stars must have felt…like Bollywood stars! I can’t wait to use this theme for a birthday party and yes I agree an adult one would be just as fun!
Thank you so much. It was super fun – better than I expected. Apparently all her friends can’t stop Bollywood dancing now! Next, the adult one!
OMG Nomita, this is so amazing (and inspiring). The invites are killing me, and pretty much everything else, but the invites are terrific! And the wall of Bollywood fame! Just about everything is excellent. This is an awesome idea that will soon be copied for one of the girls’ birthdays ; ) I bet the girls had a blast and happy belated birthday to Anya! Bravo!
Thank you Surabhi! I have to say it was the best kiddy party we’ve had yet. Apparently we have started a Bollywood dance craze amongst Anya’s friends! Definitely recommend it as a theme for a party of any age. So much fun.
What a fabulous party theme lovely! The colours, the accessories, posters, party bags – it’s all so wonderful. You did an amazing job and I’m inspired to deviate from the current princess-fairy love-fest and go colour crazy! Thanks for sharing xx
Thank you! It was super fun and I had a great time putting it together. Now I need to plan one of these for my own birthday! xx
Beautiful detailing I want to do an adult Bollywood party. Any ideas
Hey – I would do the same – in fact I am planning an adult Bollywood party and planning to do the posters again as a backdrop as they really set the scene. The clay diya’s will make nice name place holders too and the marigold garlands are a perfect touch too. You could ask guests to come dressed as their favourite Bollywood actor, which is what I’m planning to do. Send me pics when you have your party 🙂
Where did you find the movie posters to print? Lovely idea.
Hi there – I just searched for them online by movie name or for Bollywood movie posters. There are loads and loads you can find to print. Hope you have a fun Bollywood party 🙂
Oh thank you so much for this beautifull ideas.
You’re welcome – hope you try them out 🙂