• Activity-based parties are a fun nontraditional alternative.birthday image by Albert Lozano from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  When planning a birthday party, you can move beyond the traditional presents-and-cake afternoon by choosing a creative alternative to tried-and-true themes. With an unexpected or unusual activity or location, you can throw a cool party that guests will remember.
  
  

Fall Harvest

• For a birthday that falls in the autumn, plan a harvest party that allows guests to enjoy the colorful leaves and the crisp air. Go online to find farms and orchards that host group events. These venues will have parking, bathrooms and dining areas. Plan traditional fall activities: Bob for apples, carve pumpkins, pick fruit or learn how to feed animals. Arrange for hay rides or pony rides, and finish the afternoon with hot apple cider and an outdoor picnic.
  
  

Talent Show

• Whether you are planning a party for a child or an adult, a talent show can be an entertaining way to celebrate the birthday girl or boy. When sending out invitations, ask each guest to attend the party prepared to perform or demonstrate a skill. Encourage creativity and humor. At the party, set up a stage area for performances, with the guest of honor seated in a special place. A talent show is particularly meaningful when used at a party for an older relative: Each guest can do a tribute to the guest of honor.
  
  

Craft Party

• For a birthday guest of honor who is interested in making things with her hands, a craft party can be an active, productive event. Depending on the ages of the guests, you can plan crafts that are complicated or quick and fun. For older guests, choose one major craft project for the afternoon: building and decorating a gingerbread house in the winter, for example, or making jewelry on a bead loom. For younger children, stick with crafts suited to shorter attention spans, such as decorating picture frames with sequins and beads or making crafts that can be worn or used, such as tiaras or cardboard swords. Set up the party area with large tables for crafting, and serve food that can be eaten as guests complete their projects.