Here are ten tips and ideas for hosting a terrific Harry Potter theme party without spending all that money on Harry Potter licensed products. By being just a little crafty and creative, you can find everything you need at craft stores, party supply stores, your favorite dollar store, thrift shops, and discount stores like Wal-Mart.

Most of these ideas require preparation ahead of time, although many of them can be turned into party activities. This is especially fun for parties for kids between the ages of 7 and 15. For much younger children, keep it simple and use two or three of these ideas for party decorations and favors that you can make ahead of time. For older kids, teenagers, and adults, use these ideas as the basis for creating a really magical evening party.

Regardless of age, everyone will enjoy the Harry Potter theme party that you can create using these money-saving ideas!

1. Make your own Harry Potter type glasses by picking up cheap black-framed sunglasses, that are as round as possible, at a dollar or discount store. You can even check a local goodwill or thrift store. Once you have your black-framed glasses, remove the lenses and put a piece of white adhesive tape around the center of the frame to make the glasses appear broken like Harry Potter's glasses in "Sorcerer's Stone."

2. (A) For younger children who want a Hogwarts robe consider hitting your local thrift or Goodwill store for large adult robes and/or adult shirts that you can dye black using black dye available in your local grocery store or discount store. Each child can pick up a robe at the door when arriving at the party. (B) You can use sheets, tablecloths, or material you have dyed black. Cut in long rectangles, then just tie or safety pin the material around the child's neck to make a cape.

3. Here's another way save money! Instead of buying trademarked Harry Potter pets such as Harry Potter's snow owl Hedwig, Ron Weasley's tiny brown owl Pig, and Hermione Granger's cat Crookshank, consider hitting your local discount or dollar store to look for generic stuffed cats and owls. These make great party favors, and each child can have the fun of naming his or her own owl or cat! Other generic animals you can pick up for party favors are dragons and unicorns. Snakes or rats are not suggested for parties because many children (some older kids and even adults) are uncomfortable around creepy-crawlies, even fake ones.

4. Everyone wants to have Harry's scar! You can draw on the scar using one of the following" mascara, face paint, eyeliner pencil, or dry erase black marker, all of which wash off easily with soap and water. This lightning strike template can be found in zip file under article.

The free printable Snow Owl invitations come with easy instructions. You can also get illustrated instructions and tips for making the invitation by visiting Jans Reading Room or Make a Harry Potter Party Owl Invitation. Also read: How To Insert Text in a Free Printable Card or Invitation.

6. Make your own Mad Eye Moody Patch eye party favors! Buy pirate eye patches at a craft, party supply, or dollar store. If you are preparing ahead of time, then paint a wild eye on the patch using poster paints. This could also be done as a party game! Have a contest to see who can make the wildest Mad Eye Moody eye patch! This makes another great party favor that each guest can take home.

7. Make your own Partyware! Instead of buying the usual Harry Potter licensed party supplies, consider picking up plastic stemware glasses that resemble goblets at your local dollar, party supply, or discount store. Download the free printable star sheet below. Cut out the stars and glue them to stemware glasses to make Magical Goblets for your party. Use this as another party activity so that the party-goers can make their own goblets!

8. To make Dementors on budget, you can buy balloons and rent a small helium tank. Fill the balloons with helium (so they float) and cover them with different lengths of lightweight black paper tablecloths. Tie the paper tablecloth loosely around the helium-filled balloon. If you want to be a bit more advanced with this decoration, you can paint scary faces on the helium balloons. Place tape on the back of the helium balloon then drape the lightweight paper cloth over the balloons like a hood, tying the lightweight paper cloth around the balloon with dark string. This will allow the Dementors to float around the room during an indoor party. For an outdoor party, you can tie down the Dementors using string. For adult parties use kite string or fishing line so that the tie-downs are invisible. However, it's best to use the white string for an outdoor children's party to prevent kids from running into and getting tangled in the invisible lines.

9. Make Golden Snitch party favors! Buy small styrofoam balls, gold paint, and wings at your local craft store. Paint the foam balls gold and allow to dry. Then stick wings in the balls to make the Golden Snitch. These make great party favors or allow the party guests to make their own Golden Snitch as a party activity.

10. What Your Favorite House? Another fun activity you can do at your party is let the children (or teenagers and adults) paint their faces the color of their favorite Hogwarts house. You can even turn this into a party game or contest. * Washable face paint can be purchased at more craft stores.

Here are the colors for each Hogwarts house:
Gryffindor: red and gold
Hufflepuff: yellow and black
Ravenclaw: blue and bronze
Slytherin: green and silver

* Remember! You can always break out the broom and play Quidditch hockey after the face-painting contest. ~ Play regular street hockey substituting brooms for hockey sticks.

Use these ideas to get you started on creating your own fabulous Harry Potter Wizard themed party!

Moms Break, Inc is not responsible for any ideas for party supplies, crafts, games, or other suggestions.

Article (c) copyrighted by Moms Break; Inc. 2007; http://www.momsbreak.com/All right reserved