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If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook then you can probably guess what theme Hezekiah chose for his 13th birthday. Napoleon Dynamite was an especially apt choice since the movie was released in 2004…the year Hezekiah was born.
Hezekiah watched Napoleon Dynamite at a friend’s house a few months ago and loved it. I first watched this quirky movie probably ten years ago. I totally did not get it. I rewatched it a month or so ago (due to Hezekiah’s interest) and love, love, loved it. I am not sure why I didn’t enjoy it the first time around, but my house is now full of Napoleon Dynamite quotes and references.
Napoleon Dynamite Party Ideas:
My party budget isn’t endless (shocking, right?) My method for keeping party expenses down is to invest in a few specific themed items and then use more generic (but fitting) items as well. In this case, I chose to purchase:
The Napoleon Dynamite DVD (since Hezekiah loved it so much).
and Aviator glasses.
I knew Hezekiah would love the shirt and the glasses were needed for photos.
These three items came to a total of $24.73
Napoleon Dynamite Party Game Ideas:
Hezekiah didn’t want games at his party, but here are some cool ones I came up with (because I really get into planning themed parties).
Drawing Contest
Have each person either attempt to draw a liger or draw Trisha. This could be really fun since Napoleon’s drawings were no great works of art.
Photo Booth
Glamor Shots by Deb (75% off) Photobooth. Set up a homemade photo booth. The best part about this is Deb’s booth was homemade and cheesy so this could be done with items around the house.
Summer Pinata
We talked about doing a pinata, but in the end, it didn’t happen.
Napoleon Dynamite Party Foods:
This one was so easy! The movie full of foods, most of them cheap and easy.
Tater Tots
“Are you going to eat those tots?” Need I say more?
Corn dogs
This is what they were eating in the tots scene.
Quesadillas
Set up a Dang Quesadilla Bar
Individual bags of chips
“Napoleon, you know we can’t afford the fun pack!”
Kit Kat bars
Or, as Hezekiah called them, Kip Kat bars.
Gatorade
Label it D-Qwon’s Dance Groove Drink
Orange juice
Just label it Chicken Farm Protein Drink. I was a little disappointed that my juice ended up bright orange instead of yellow. Warning: do not buy orange mango juice.
Cake
And don’t forget the Pedro {hearts} Summer cake! Tilly made this one for Hezekiah and he was thrilled.
Napoleon Dynamite Party Decorations
These were easy as well. You could have a lot of fun with erasers, chapstick, and school themed items. I used the roll of kraft paper that I wrapped gifts in to make labels for our food.
I also printed off the pictures I took of Hezekiah and Apollo and Napoleon and Kip. Enoch saw the picture of Trish and decided to draw equally bad pictures of Hezekiah and Tucker.
In addition, I added our favorite quotes to Hezekiah’s gifts.
I forgot to take a picture, but as party favors, Hezekiah gave the kids packs of Big League Chew gum with thank you notes attached and a boondoggle.
Hezekiah’s friends got into the theme as well with some of their cards.
Jubilee made this for Hezekiah in woodshop class.
Hezekiah and his friends from band performed a song for us before dinner. I’m not even kidding…they are just that awesome.
{I try to avoid having my kids’ friends in photos on the blog (there are plenty in our family albums). It gets awkward to ask for model releases when kids come to a birthday party. lol}
Our party was flippin’ sweet success! For more Napoleon Dynamite Party Ideas check out:
My Napoleon Dynamite Pinterest board
SC Life as a Wife had a great Napoleon Dynamite party.
Life Design Craft hosted a cool Napoleon Dynamite Barbeque.
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Have you seen the movie? Did you love it or hate it?
This is fantastic. I’m grinning ear to ear right now. Perfectly executed theme.
I’m with you: the first time I saw the movie I was a bit bewildered but since my girls loved it, I gave it another shot very soon after and now it is a family favorite. Never fails to make me laugh.
(“I caught you a delicious bass”)
This seems so cool! 😀 what song did they perfom?
I don’t know the name…it was something from their band class.
Hi there! Found your blog through one of my many Pinterest binges. Oh my goodness, I am absolutely LOVING this post! Napoleon Dynamite was a delayed hit for me as well. I fell asleep on it twice. Finally I watched it all in one sitting the third time and immediately became one of my favorites. This party DIY post is flippin’ sweet 😉 One of my friends from high school looks much like Kip, so he is still Kip to this day (over 15 years later)!
Jess, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. We LOVE Napoleon Dynamite in our house. I hope you have a great party!