Birthday Theme vs Idea

It's a really good question. Birthday theme vs Idea?

It's a question  I get asked time and time again. Seems the issue for many birthday givers is that they mean the same thing.

A birthday theme is the same thing as a birthday idea.

Right??

We can see how that might be the case. Picture this: with no time to spare you hear that it's Uncle Bob's birthday on the weekend. You check your diary and there it is in black and white.

But it has slipped your mind.

What to do? Think, think think,..

Ah-ha!

Jump online and get inspired, get an idea, get a theme.

And....that' where the problems start.

From my point of view there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between a theme and an idea.

And here it is:

Firstly, I want you to think BEACH...

Now the differences....

An idea
Is an element of a celebration. It can be the one creative thing that is done for the party / celebration like "let's dress up" for this party. It can be a  combination of idea elements like "let's have a Party on the beach, a cake, we'll sleep over and put the pictures on a website next week".

These elements can be part of the build up, during the celebration and after the party.

Some Examples: Before the event, During the event, After The event (Link to IDEA Vault)

A Theme
Is usually stated or assumed and carried on in all aspects and elements of the celebration. This takes planning and a degree of delivery skill.

Some Examples: Survivor, Slay A Dragon, Let's Get Loud (link to Theme Vault)

What comes first the theme or  the idea....?

Now, I don't want to nit-pick and play silly word games. Our usual entry point for the budding party planner or last minute desperado is to THINK IDEAS first.....then possibly transition toward a THEME.

Why is this important?

Well, think of the mother who sent her daughter off to a Fancy Dress Party. Her daughter was in a very fancy party dress one that had been given her by loving Grand Parents. She looked delightful as any happy 4yr old ....until she realized she was the only one not wearing a costume. True story. What passes for common knowledge -- in this case the term "Fancy Dress" on the invitation -- may mean something entirely defend.

Now, the context would be: "we are having a Themed Party: Disney Characters (THEME) and we would like everyone to dress up in fancy dress as their favorite Disney character (IDEA)." This level of being clear is really important.

Back to the beach example.

The IDEA "let's have a beach party", might lead a person to think "let's make it a Lost Party" OR.... Survivor; Gilligan's Island Re-visited; Gigit; Beach Blanket Bingo, Dancing On the Beach; Surf Bum, Twister on the Beach; Beach Baby.

Here is the big difference: The same elements (IDEAS) can be used in MANY DIFFERENT THEMES. But the THEME may restrict your choice of elements (IDEAS)

Get it?

Does it matter if I start with a theme first? No, not really. But it may mean you have to watch how much you load on your planning plate.

The idea elements set the scene for how much you can or are willing to do given all the circumstances you are faced with. The theme can dictate to you that you need to add more ideas to make the theme  better...This is the bite off more than you can chew syndrome.