How to Throw a Western Cowboy Themed Birthday Party

It's that time again...time to plan another birthday party. This year, why not treat the cowboy or cowgirl in your life to a good, old-fashioned western birthday party. Regardless of age or gender, people seem fascinated with horses, cowboys, and the Old West. Plus, there's just something fun about eating outdoors, adopting a southern drawl, and boot-scooting to a country song. This outdoor western party theme will earn a big "Yee-Haw" from the kids and parents alike.

Western Birthday Party Invitations:

Use a Power Point or Word document to make the invitation. Choose a western-looking font (like on old wanted posters). Print "WANTED" in large bold letters across the top of the page. Under that, type in smaller font "FOR THE HIGH CRIME OF TURNING (your child's age)." With a digital camera, take a picture of your child dressed in cowboy or cowgirl attire. To give an old-fashioned western look to the picture, use your photo software to change to a sepia hue and fade it on the edges. Underneath the photo, add your child's name and the details of the western party. Try something like this, "Y'all come join us at the (your last name) Ranch to celebrate (child's name) birthday western-style! (We'll provide the hats and grub.)"

Once you've completed your "Wanted" western party invitations, print them on parchment-colored paper. After the ink is dry, roll up the invitations and tie them with twine. Personally deliver the invitations to your party guests.

Western Party Cake:

Just like no cowboy or cowgirl is whole without a trusty horse, no western party is complete without a horse cake.

Bake one 13"x9"x2" cake. Place to chilled cake on a large foil-covered board. Make the three cuts shown in this diagram. Discard (or eat them) the two pieces cut from the top section of the cake. Be sure to save the piece taken from the bottom. Place this section on the top of the horse head to form the ear. Secure it with a small amount of frosting. Frost the entire cake brown.

To add the finishing touches, you will need: a cake decorator filled with white frosting, one white Necco wafer, two black jelly beans, and a package of red rope licorice.