A Day in the Life of Our Wayfinder Princess: Eden's Day As a Princess Performer

Hi! I’m Eden, and I portray both the Wayfinder Princess and the Arabian Princess for Brittain’s Princess Parties. I am so honored to portray princesses of color and to make it possible for more ethnicities to be represented at parties and events! I have been working with BPP for about 6 months now and I adore this job! Being a princess performer is one of the most rewarding jobs out there! You get to surprise children as their favorite storybook or screen hero and create incredible birthday parties that you know they will remember forever! You also get to wear beautiful costumes and wigs and kind of be treated like actual royalty. Princess performing is a dream come true, but it’s not all glitter and sparkles as you may think! Join me for a day in the life as the Wayfinder Princess, and see what my typical Saturday of princess performing looks like!

Wayfinder Morning Routine!

Every weekend is a little different, depending on what time my parties are scheduled for. But I usually start my day by waking up at 8:00am. My must-have princess breakfast food is Pumpkin Greek Yogurt (it’s my favorite!). It gives me the energy I need to start my day as I start to get ready for my parties. The Wayfinder makeup takes me about an hour to do; but I’m super lucky because she wears the most natural makeup. The costume is also very comfortable and easy to get into. I don’t have to worry about corsets or bows or jewelry. I love how simplistic the Wayfinder is, because it lets her personality shine brighter! When I am doing my makeup, I usually listen to a band named Cimorelli. They make their own music, covers, and music videos that I enjoy listening to.

Getting Into Costume!

My favorite part of my costume is definitely my flower crown! It pulls the whole costume together and is just beautiful! My least favorite part of my costume? Well, underneath my skirt, there are faux grass tassels that always tangle themselves while I’m driving. But other than that, it’s a very comfortable costume!

En Route to the Party: Wayfind or Drive?

We drive in costume to all our parties (we get so many weird looks, but I’m happy to make another person’s day along the way). The main way I get into character is by singing along to Disney music (especially the Moana soundtrack!) on the way to my party. I like to leave extra early for my parties, which allows me to combat any traffic or weather increments, GPS errors, and it gives me time to find parking a few doors down from the home the party is being held at. Fun Fact: all of the actresses on our team arrive in the vicinity of the party about 10 minutes early; it’s one of our guidelines so that we are ready to make an entrance when the parents are ready for us!

Sometimes, a family will walk by my car and I’ll have to duck down and hide near the floorboards or grab a coat and cover myself. One time, I even used a book to cover my face! We never want any little ones to see us in our cars; it would completely ruin the magic for them. I want all children to believe that I just magically appeared by boat or by Maui’s demigod powers.

Party Time!

Our most popular party package includes a grand entrance of the character, presenting a tiara to the birthday girl, story time, sing-along and dancing, face-painting, leading the Happy Birthday Ceremony, and of course taking lots of photos! My favorite activity to lead at parties is teaching the hula dance. I’ve studied videos about this beautiful dance because I want to teach the art accurately! It’s so cool to be able to see little minds working to learn a new dance that they’re not familiar with! The fact that I get to be the one to teach them is very rewarding.

Most Challenging Question a Child Has Asked

Luckily, I haven’t been asked a super-challenging question (yet!), but I can think of a very challenging task I was asked to do. During my first training party, the Ice Queen and I were face painting and I had a little girl ask me to paint a chameleon on her face. This was my first party, and I had only been painting stars, flowers, and snowflakes on the other children. I was totally freaking out in my head… how in the world was I going to paint a chameleon!? The first thing that came to mind was Pascal from the movie Tangled, so that’s exactly what I drew! Luckily the little girl loved it and so did her parents! Needless to say, I am a seasoned face painter now. 

Most Awkward Moment

 My most awkward Wayfinder moment was when a little girl at a birthday made me a necklace, which I thought was so sweet, until suddenly she said “I made it poop green for you!” I wasn’t sure how to answer, but I thanked her, just as any gracious princess should, and took it home with me!

Saying Good-Bye 

Leaving the children behind is hard. You wish you could stay and play forever. But knowing that you gave them a magical memory as a gift is indescribable. One thing that I wish I could say to the parents is that I hope I made a positive impact on their kids and that they’ll always be able to look back on the pictures and videos and say, “I remember that birthday! That was my favorite!”

Post Party: Getting Home!

 When it comes to the Wayfinder makeup, I almost always keep it on for the rest of the day. I’m usually heading off to another one of my many jobs and since I took so long working on it, I like to enjoy it for the rest of the day. But those false lashes always come off on the car ride home! My favorite post party snack after I get home and out of costume are mozzarella sticks! It’s become a tradition; I don’t know why.

One Weird Thing You Wouldn’t Know About Princess Performing

Adults sometimes forget that we are in character the ENTIRE time at the party, from the moment we knock on the door, to the moment we leave and are out of sight. Sometimes family members come up to me at parties and ask me what my real name is or where I’m from. I know they are being kind and I appreciate their interest! But we never want to ruin the magic for any child in earshot, so a lot of times I am unable to answer them or I answer them as the Wayfinder Princess would.

One Common Misconception  

That this job is super easy! It’s not. You have to be thinking on your feet at all times with improvisation. Children ask you the funniest things, and you always want to have an answer prepared. There’s also the research aspect of the job, like studying the character’s mannerisms and voice, catch-phrases, posing styles for photos, memorizing and practicing their songs, smiling during the whole event, squatting up and down to hug hundreds of new little friends, performing in the heat, performing in the cold, etc. And sometimes, when you’re working a four-hour corporate event, the elements can be challenging!

Best Part of Being The Wayfinder Princess

 The best part of my job is getting to step into this magical world where I truly am the strong Wayfinder Princess. I get to make a difference in a child’s life and, that on its own, is the best reward! I want children to know how important they are and that they can truly be anything they want. I am beyond lucky and grateful to have Brittain’s Princess Parties in my life and that they found me! We are truly a princess family!

If you would like to book our Wayfinder Princess to make an appearance at your next party or event, be sure to visit our website to see a list of the different party packages we offer.

www.BrittainsPrincessParties.com

5 Volunteer Ideas to Do With Your Children This Holiday Season

Volunteering in the community is very important to us at Brittain’s Princess Parties! This year, our princesses partnered with eight different charities and nonprofits around central Illinois to help spread a little wondrous magic. From assisted living centers to raising awareness about INAD, our princesses enjoyed every minute of their time giving hugs and encouragement. This sense of civil responsibility stems from my mom who taught me, at a very young age, the importance of caring for others. She took me to soup kitchens where we would serve warm soup to the homeless. We visited nursing homes during Halloween to mingle with the residents and show off our costumes. We passed out lunches, made shoebox gifts, tie-blankets, and we sponsored children from around the world.

Volunteering is such a beautiful value we can teach young children. Helping others teaches children about empathy, gratitude, compassion, responsibility, morals, and gives them a broader perspective. Children who volunteer are more likely to continue to volunteer and help others as adults. We want to share 5 volunteer ideas that you can do with your child this holiday season (but we recommend you can do them any time of the year!).

1. Anonymously adopt a family for Christmas. When I was ten, there was a family in need that went to our church. A mom and her daughter lived in a one-bedroom apartment and were barely making ends meet. They wore the same clothes to church every week: coats with holes, old, thin scarves, and shoes that couldn’t be very warm in winter. My mom suggested we secretly “adopt” them for Christmas. We went to the store and bought them new winter coats, toys for the little girl, and a bunch of groceries. We anonymously dropped off the box of goodies for them and they never found out who gave it to them. My heart felt so full after doing such a compassionate mission with my mom. 

2. Sponsor a child through Compassion or World Vision. These two organizations give humanitarian aid through child sponsorship. They are dedicated to long-term development of children living in poverty all around the world. Through these organizations, you can also donate money towards soccer balls, bed nets, chickens, goats, and other necessities that make a difference in their everyday life. This is such a wonderful way to expand your child’s perspective and compassion towards other children their age. Give your child the responsibility of writing one letter every month to brighten your sponsored child’s day. Have them draw pictures and send them along with the letters.

3. Help an elderly neighbor put up Christmas lights and holiday décor. Do you have an elderly neighbor or family friend who may need help putting up their Christmas cheer? It breaks my heart when I see an elderly person living alone with seldom visitors. What did their Christmasses use to look like when their spouse was there, and their children home to celebrate with them? You can be there for them. Take an afternoon with your little ones to help string lights and set up their tree. They might also love a plate of homemade cookies baked by you and your little ones, too!

4. Write Christmas Cards to Deployed Troops.  Thousands of troops will not be able to spend the holidays at home this year with their friends and family. In their effort to ensure no service member feels forgotten, you can join USASOA in Operation Christmas Cards for our Troops and mail holidays cards to service members. Cards will be mailed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world American troops are located defending our country. For more information, check out their website.

5. Pack a Lunch for the Homeless. Have you ever been sitting at a stop light and look up to see a homeless individual with a sign? You may not feel it your duty to give them cash, so here is a great alternative. Go to the grocery story and buy non-perishable food items and brown sack lunch bags (for some ideas, some of the things I bought were granola bars, crackers, apples, trailmix, mini peanutbutter servings, and bottled water). With your little ones, pack several lunch bags full of the groceries you bought and keep them in the car. Whenever you drive by homeless individuals, give them a sack lunch to show that you care.

There are so many more ways you can brighten someone’s day and extend love and joy. What does your family do to help others? We’d love to hear more ideas about how your family volunteers in the community!

7 Family-Friendly Fall Events in Central Illinois

Fall has arrived in central Illinois, and this season is full of fun for your family! Raking and jumping in a pile of leaves, cuddling up together next to the hearth and reading bedtime stories, making a cup of cocoa with sticky marshmallows, pumpkin carving, and hayrides. But in case you needed some extra ideas for fun outside the home, we’ve compiled a list of 7 of our favorite upcoming fall events in central Illinois!

1. OCTOBER 12th and 13th : BROOM ORCHARD’S PUMPKIN FESTIVAL- CARLINVILLE, IL

If you’ve never been to Broom Orchard in Carlinville, it is a must for you! Complete with an awesome (partly underground) playground, a petting zoo, corn maze, and the BEST apple cider in the area, this orchard is perfect for kids. My husband and I visited the Orchard last month for apple picking, and thoroughly enjoyed our time! The staff was the sweetest, and I especially loved making friends with the goats in the petting zoo. The 9th Annual Pumpkin Festival is Saturday and Sunday October 12th and 13th from 9:00am-6:00pm each day, so grab a wagon and go find your perfect pumpkin!

Event Details: http://broomorchard.com/calendar

2. OCTOBER 12th: FALL FEST ON THE FARM- GREENVILLE, IL

Marcoot Jersey Creamery is a seventh-generation family-owned Jersey dairy farm in Greenville, Il. They handcraft the highest-quality artisan and farmstead cheeses, and many other products like ice cream, fruit and whey ices, grass-fed beef and more! So gather the whole family because there will be cheese, there will be cider, and there will be cows! Starting at 10:00am and running until 2:00pm, join them for a day of fun – Marcoot style!

Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/2241579922801327/

3. OCTOBER 12th: HOWL-O-WEEN PET PARTY & STREET FESTIVAL- TROY, IL

If your little ones love animals, you love supporting non-profits, and you live in the Troy area, we think your family will love attending this event! Join local animal shelter Partners for Pets for their 11th annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Party and Street Festival! Starting at 10:00am-4:00pm, this is a pet-friendly, family-friendly event that has something for all ages! Bring your pup and walk your four legged friend up and down the street lined with all sorts of fun vendors, food trucks, and other local businesses. Enjoy two live bands, and don’t forget to stop by the Kid’s Pavilion that will offer games and activities for all ages. Partners for Pets will also have on-site adoptions with reduced adoption fees (All cats and kittens - $50 adoption fee; All dogs over 1 year - $100 adoption fee).

Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1284817788352571/

4. OCTOBER 19th : EDWARDSVILLE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HALLOWEEN PARTY- EDWARDSVILLE, IL

The Edwardsville Children’s Museum hosts so many wonderful events, and we are sure this one will not disappoint! Come dressed in your costume for an evening of not-so-spooky fun! Your little goblin will have a blast with all of the fun games, crafts, and snacks. Party time is from 6:30pm-8:00pm and requires a ticket! Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Be sure to Like and Follow their Facebook page to stay up-to-date on future events, because they have A TON!

Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/706897716400811/

5.  OCTOBER 20th: PRINCESS TEA PARTY – STAUNTON, IL

With Frozen 2 premiering in November 2019, Fall wouldn’t be complete without a princess event where your little ones can meet the Ice Sisters! Blackbird Bakery & Cafe and Brittain’s Princess Parties are partnering to bring your little ones a royal Princess Tea Party. Dress in your most beautiful gowns and join the Ice Sisters for an afternoon of high tea, party snacks, tasty dessert, story-time, sing-along, photos, and one-on-one time with the Queen and Princess of Arendelle. Royal tickets may be purchased at Blackbird Bakery & Café and are $20 per child. Space for this magical event is limited, so don’t delay in reserving your spot!

Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/416487852309818/?active_tab=about

6. OCTOBER 26th : 2019 TRUNK OR TREAT - EDWARDSVILLE, IL

Hosted by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, join the community on Saturday, October 26th from 6:00pm-8:00pm for the biggest Trunk or Treat night in the area! Bring your little ones in their costumes, but don’t forget to bring canned goods, as well! They will be accepting donations for local food pantries.

Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/2120154958280469/

7. OCTOBER 29th : HAPPY HALLOWEEN STORYTIME- AFTERWORDS BOOKS, EDWARDSVILLE, IL

Afterwords Books is our FAVORITE children’s bookstore! In fact, you might just find our Beauty Princess perusing her way around the store once in a while (She loves hosting story time every few months there)! Afterwords Books is a family-owned independent bookstore that offers both new and used books, a trade for credit program, free children’s story times, book clubs for all ages, educational toys, and unique gifts crafted by local artisans. All little ghouls and goblins are invited to dress in costume and join Ms. Suzy and your storytime pals for spooktacular stories and treats! Be sure to also Like and Follow Afterwords Books to learn about other child-friendly events year round!

Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/2440770416205173/

Do you think you’ll be able to attend any of these fall events with your family? Let us know which ones you are excited for, and if you found our list helpful to your family! And as always, our princesses here at Brittain’s Princess Parties wish you all a happy and safe fall!