Birthday Celebration, parties, family reunions, new years...you get the idea:?

Hi, End61 here again in need of some major assistance. There are some upcoming birthdays in my family and one of them would like to have a party, however, it is japanese themed. My sister's mom called me and asked me to call her by this friday (july 15,2005) to help here with the design and setup for the party because she knows that I am learning about Japanese culture. I know that some japanese families go out to eat for celebrations, but I wanted to expand my knowledge on the traditional home ways of celebrating an 11-year old's birthday.

In addition, would you mind sharing a little info about how New Years and Christmas is celebrated in Japan. I heard fried Chicken (chicken fried in soy sauce only that is) is a "tradition" in japan too.

Please Help!! I have until this thursday!!!

I don't have too much experience, save from what I've seen on j-drama and heard from my friends, but it pretty much seems like an American birthday to me. My friend did say that she was always given chirashi-zushi (a kind of sushi) on her birthday, but I think this is because it was her favorite food (which I agree with, and highly, highly recommend!!).

On a side note....the chicken they eat on Christmas Eve is boring ol' KFC...you can't fry in soy sauce!! They might put it on afterwards, though. New Years is a pretty crazy experience - enough for a thread of its own. Are you looking for cultural info, party info or food info? I can help with all three...but rather than write a book I'd like to narrow it down ^_^. sounds like a cool party, though! wish my family had themed parties!!

Hmm food for a bunch of 'around' 11 year olds...
If you are wanting it Japanese 'themed' but not necessarily traditional... Im just thinking of a few ideas...
You could go 'Hello Kitty' Crazy and have a Hello Kitty cake, and Hello Kitty decorations (I know that wont be hard to find!) or someother Japanese character... there isn't a shortage of them.
For food, you could go with western friendly california rolls... but you could put child friendly ingredients inside... pineapple and cream cheese is a goody! Karaage is yummy too, (crumbed fried chicken pieces) and you can put little sauces around...
You could get mixed rice... it has black rice in it, which makes the rest of the rice go a nice pink colour.
Onigiri is always good too, and often you can get little plastic shapes like hearts and animals which you can turn them into.
Hmm sounds like too much rice hahaha...
If you have a portable gas cooker you can have yaki niku cooking on the table.
Have a nice little pair of chopsticks for each person to take home with them afterwards, and maybe write all of their names in katakana as place settings.
Teach them how to make origami, or have an origami contest, to see who can make a crane the quickest, or something like that?
I dont know... im sure you will come up with some interesting ideas.
Maybe tell everybody to bring their slippers, so that they dont wear their shoes inside, and have everyone sitting on the floor.
Im sure your sister will love you for whatever you come up with anyway

chirashi-sushi
I eat chirashi-sushi in Hina-maturi (the Doll's Festival) of March 3.
Hina-maturi
株式会社渡辺組｜建物解体工事・産業廃棄物処理
recipe
http://www.bob-an.com/recipe/dailyjc/ref/chrshi/chrshi.html
chirashizushi

Osechi-ryouri(Dishes for the seasonal festivals)
A dish to eat for New Year holidays
Osechi - Japanese New Year's cuisine
What Do People Eat for New Year's in Japan?

inari-sushi
Flower viewing, an excursion, an athletic meet
A dish to eat at the time of event
inari-sushi
How to Make Inarizushi

seki-han(Steamed rice with red beans)
"Steamed rice with red beans" is used for an adult gift, celebration, 753 celebration, graduation / entrance to school celebration of the first Boy's Festival, various celebration.
SEKIHAN

Cooking to enjoy with a family
sukiyaki
http://www.japanesegifts.com/sukiyaki.htm

I enjoy it in summer
soumen-nagashi
summer recipes

OOOOOOOOO!!! SO many ideas!! I thank you for all your help, I know sis will love the ideas. Oh...kamakiri, so this thread does not go to waste, you can write about cultural and party info...please. Often times, food naturally falls into those categories. Thanks again guys/girls, you are a great help.!!! :