I will taking next week off to spend at home with my family. If I’m feeling inspired and have something to share, I’ll post a video. Otherwise, I’ll “see you” again on December 29!
I’m down to my FOUR copies of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Vol 12 in my Etsy shop! Get one now before they’re gone!
Coming in January 2016!
The bulk of our Harry Potter party all those years ago was the classes. Once the kids were in the house and had their uniforms, we were ready to go!
Charms – do homework like Harry!
Dip quills into ink to write on parchment. They used india ink to dip their quills and wrote on parchment. While the kids write, discuss the place of quills in history and what it means to “blot” your paper, a phrase seen in the Harry Potter books. More information on quills.
*India ink stains, so make sure the kids are aware and being careful. Younger kids may need aprons or old shirts to protect their clothing.
Transfiguration-make your own owl
Use the spell Strigiformes (“nocturnal bird of prey”) to transfigure a pile of supplies into an owl. Have the listed supplies out for students to choose from. After gluing owls together, leave to dry overnight.
Potions– Make Butterbeer!
Prepare ahead of time: Scoop ice cream with cookie scoop, placing scoops on cookie sheet. Harden in freezer for at least two hours before party.
Just before you need it, warm root beer in the microwave or stove top, making sure not to get it too hot. Each child receives a goblet approximately 1/2 full of warm root beer. Serve ice cream scoop with tongs, allowing each child to add his or her own. Serve butterscotch syrup in from a “potion bottle” or cruet. Enjoy!
Care of Magical Creatures – You have received special permission from the Ministry of Magic for your students to raise dragon eggs (very important, as it’s against wizarding law to own a dragon!).
Prepare ahead of time: Paint eggs using craft paint, covering with sealant once dry. Allow to dry overnight. Fill with a small amount of slime and a small toy dragon. Placed the eggs in a small cauldron filled with polyfil before the guests arrive.
During the party: Explain that you have received special permission from the Ministry of Magic to raise dragon eggs for your Care of Magical Creatures class. Dragon eggs need to be kept warm, so keep near a fireplace if available. When it’s time for the eggs to hatch, have each child reach in a choose an egg. Their eggs then “hatch.”
The important part of this project is the suspense of what’s in the egg. During our party, the kids asked me dozens of times if it was “time.” When I finally announced the dragons were hatching, they were all very excited. They enjoyed the dragons and the slime!
Herbology-grow a magical plant!
Have students add soil to their cup or pot. Add a seed and water gently. Explain to the students that they need to add 1 spoon of water to the plants each day. They then wave their wand and say the spell “Exerceo” (roughly translated means grow or cultivate). Pots should be kept in a warm, sunny place, like a window.
Defense Against the Dark Arts – fight off Dementors using the Patronus Charm!
Your students will be learning the incredibly advanced Patronus Charm. The Patronus charm creates a Patronus, or protector. A silver-colored being (each is different, according to who does the spell) races out of the wand to ward off Dementors. The charm consists of thinking of a happy memory and the saying the words “Expecto Patronum.”
Have the students think of happy memories. They can do this privately or as a group. Once they start practicing the charm, that’s the cue for the dementor to make it’s appearance. The dementor should back away in fear, eventually fleeing as the students perform their charms. While a very simple “class,” this was the most popular at our party!
As always, if you make any pattern or craft from Sewhooked you can share your photos by adding them to the Sewhooked flickr group!
Happy crafting
also available on The Leaky Cauldron – Crafts
My darling daughter turns 14 later this week. That’s her, on the front right. She’s next to her little brother. who himself just turned 11 this past December and is now old enough to attend Hogwarts. It was February of 2003; Order of the Phoenix had not yet hit book stores and there were only two HP movies so far.
While I sit and try to absorb these amazing thoughts and all the years my family has loved Harry Potter and the ways we’ve chosen to express that appreciation, it’s easy to remember when birthday parties were much more important than birthday presents.
I thought I’d take this week leading up to my daughter’s next step towards adulthood and relive a little of that young girl fandom love by sharing how we sent our kids and their friends to Hogwarts for a Very Magical Sleepover. Maybe the next time you feel like having a little adventure, you can go to Hogwarts, too!
Invitations
The invitation you use is the best way to get your party started! Create a letter from Hogwarts to the prospective “students” using the format of Harry’s first letter. Be sure to include party time, location, and what to bring (if it’s a sleepover, etc) and where to send reply “by owl” (email, phone number, etc.)
We printed our invitations on yellow parchment (from the local craft store) using the Lumos font and printed in, what else, emerald-green ink! These were rolled into scrolls and sealed with wax. I got the parents of the kids invited involved by hand delivering each invite so the parents could tell the kids an owl had stopped by with a letter for them!
To use the swirly and signature graphics, right-click and save!
You’ll need:
Here’s a sample letter:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY [Lumos Font]
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International confed. of Wizards)
We are pleased to inform you that you are invited to [reason for party], a Very Magical Sleepover [what we called our party]!
The party will be at [location], [location address]. It will take place [day, date & time].
Please bring your sleeping bag, pillow, pjs, toiletries, and any other muggle items you may need.
Student Uniforms will be provided.
We await your owl by no later than [RSVP date] (or you can call [name, phone and/or email]).
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
Decorations
Decorations can be simple and inexpensive. Be creative and use what you have on hand. Look at thrift shop and dollar stores for interesting “magical” items, potions bottles, interesting looking props, out of season Halloween costumes and decorations.
These are some of the decorations we used for our party:
Great Hall Enchanted Ceiling
Glue stars on plastic tablecloth in a random pattern. Use thumbtacks to hang over the eating area.
Potions Bottles
Fill the empty bottles with a variety of contents. These are just suggestions, use what you have on hand for your own variety.
Party favors, class supplies and the feast, all add to the atmosphere. More on that in the next Harry Potter Party revisit!
As always, if you make any pattern or craft from Sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the Sewhooked flickr group!
Happy crafting
also available on potterparties and The Leaky Cauldron – Crafts
Sewhooked 