If there’s one thing about me… it’s that I’m going to be sentimental. You sent me a birthday card when I was 11? I still have it. You show me one of those lo-fi videos of what malls or Webkinz used to look like? Um, *sniffles* there’s something in my eye. And, don’t get me started on The Care and Keeping of You.
So, yeah, I like to get a little nostalgic sometimes. Maybe I’m yearning for a time before social media and rent, and can you blame me???
Well, I’ve channeled all this sentimental energy into five ideas for parties I would throw to delight my inner child. Things that would really make that little kid inside of me think “Whoa, that adulting stuff seems not so bad”. Basically just excuses to eat my favorite foods and hang out. Yeah… need that.
1: Childhood Snack Dinner Party
This idea is definitely inspired by my coworker who brought homemade spaghetti-o’s for lunch the other day. For this party, have everyone bring their favorite childhood snack for a potluck! Think DIY Uncrustables, cozy chicken noodle soup, whatever gives you that forbidden after-school snack vibe. For me? The Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts, thanks for asking.
2: Build-A-Bear @ home
Going to Build-A-Bear was always my dream as a kid, and I certainly still need a personalized emotional support stuffed animal now that I'm an adult. Have a little DIY moment by getting a few small stuffed bears online and jazzing them up with charms and ribbons!
3: Shrinky Dinks & Drinks
Remember that plastic-y paper that you could draw on and then bake and it would get all tiny and adorable? Lately, I’ve been seriously wishing I had the time to invite friends over for a cute night of coloring and cocktails. Turn your little shrunken drawings into charms for a keychain or little fridge magnets if you want to get really creative.
4: Adult Time Capsule Night
Think of this as a fresh take on vision boarding nights. Maybe this was only me… but I always wished my parents would let me dig a hole in the yard and leave a time capsule as a kid. Well, I have free will now, and I will be inviting friends over to fill a box with things we love that we will open in 5 years. You could add notes to your future selves, photos, things you think will be retro already by then (put your Labubus in there girly… sorry not sorry). Plus, you have a built-in excuse to get back together with friends whenever you decide to open your capsule again!
5: Childhood Book Club
This is less of an actual book club and more of, well, self-sanctioned quiet reading time… but let me just have this one. Have everyone bring their favorite book from childhood, whether it’s an adorable picture book or a beloved chapter book, and cozy up with the characters you know and love!
Isn’t it funny how we eventually make our way back to just loving the things we used to love? Crafting, reading, food, whatever it is… I hope you think of your little inner child today and show them some love. Then, throw them a party!
Bonus points if you use one of these to reconnect with childhood friends :’)
xx,
A Sentimental Someone
Craving instant nostalgia? Here are 4 little ways to celebrate your inner child today:
Watch a childhood fave movie or show — may we recommend The Princess Diaries?
Put nutella on something. Or just have a scoop of it right off the spoon.
Play some throwback tunes while you get your tasks done
Do a little coloring (crayons encouraged) or doodle on some lined paper <3
Go get some frozen yogurt. On us. No, really — for the first three people who comment on this post, we’ll send you a little fro-yo gift card :)
🗓️❄️ Holiday Countdown
While we’re on the topic of nostalgia and warm fuzzy feelings… only 147 days until Christmas. No, it’s not too early to start counting. It’s never too early.
I recently had a 2000s party with my childhood friend. We went to a 2000s cycling class that inspired the idea and then ate kraft mac and cheese, bagel bites, pizza rolls, and homemade dunkaroo dip with teddy grahams while watching The Princess Diaries. It was the best time! Especially since she was visiting me, the whole thing felt
like the old school sleepovers like we used to do💗
This is too cute! Love the time capsule idea.