Entertaining Ideas
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Cancer head shaving party - ideas?
I realize this isn't the normal party ideas, but I'm hoping for some help. A friend and neighbor has stage 1 breast cancer and starts chemo on Monday. She will lose her hair in the next 10-15 days. She wants to shave it off first at a party with her girlfriends.
It will be casual at her house/deck. It will be a celebration. Starting off with cutting her hair shorter as the night goes on culminating with head shaving and the debut of her new wig that we ordered last week.
I'm looking for ideas on wording and really anything else you can add.
My first thought was "Hair Today, Gone Tonight." Does that make sense?
It will be somewhat pot luck.
She doesn't want any gifts, but if someone ones to bring a pretty hair clip to bling out her new wig (or a pretty scarf for non-wig days).
Any guidance would be helpful. I've googled a ton but really just came up with videos of people shaving their head. Not so much on invites and decor. TIA
It will be casual at her house/deck. It will be a celebration. Starting off with cutting her hair shorter as the night goes on culminating with head shaving and the debut of her new wig that we ordered last week.
I'm looking for ideas on wording and really anything else you can add.
My first thought was "Hair Today, Gone Tonight." Does that make sense?
It will be somewhat pot luck.
She doesn't want any gifts, but if someone ones to bring a pretty hair clip to bling out her new wig (or a pretty scarf for non-wig days).
Any guidance would be helpful. I've googled a ton but really just came up with videos of people shaving their head. Not so much on invites and decor. TIA
Re: Cancer head shaving party - ideas?
I don't have any ideas off the top of my head, just wanted to say that it's really awesome all of you are doing this for her!
I like your idea for the name btw, I think it makes sense and it's clever.
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That's a great idea for a party. Maybe serve a pink cocktail or pink lemonade since it's the color of breast cancer awareness?
If you want it to be kind of quirky, you could put photos of bald celebrities on the invite - Britany Spears, Demi Moore from GI Jane, Sinead OConnor, Kylie Minogue, Natalie Portman, Yul Brenner, Bruce Willis, etc. "All the cool people are doing it."
Maybe have someone there to do manicures, so she and all the girls will feel really pretty. Or have everyone learn a new way to tie a scarf around their head. (There must be several different ways you can wear a scarf.) That would be practical for those with and without hair and gives everyone something to do.
Hope those ideas help you!
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I think that is a really sweet idea! I lost my hair to chemo last year (happened about 3 weeks after I started the chemo).
I like the "Hair Today, Gone Tonight" but there is something I dont like about the wording... the word "gone". I dunno.
I would suggest you guys get markers and stickers and decorate each others heads all different colors!! Or get someone to come and teach your friend different scarf wrapping techniques (there are so many!!)
Good luck and have an awesome time
Thanks. The "gone" part was bugging me too. I'm going to work on it.
Can I make a suggestion? If you want to keep it light and there will be drinking, I'd do the head shaving all at once early in the evening. You don't want that one person who gets really emotional when she's tipsy to get weepy.
An idea you could do for the guests- make wish bracelets. A friend suggested this to me. You could buy them off etsy but they're just as easy to make. Here's the idea from etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62411659/a-survivors-wish-the-wish-bracelet-for
If you want to make them- make enough for all the guests and then maybe some extras so she can pass them out to her family and friends that aren't present. You can buy the hemp and beads at any craft store pretty cheap
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That is so sweet of you to do this for her! I went through BC and just finished chemo last month. I did not lose hair though as I did some things to keep it. I do have a lot BC friends that did lose hair though. Here are my recommendations:
Be careful on the "pink" thing...some of us are not into it. I know I told my family not to buy me one thing pink! Many BC gals are in support of BC awareness but don't want to wear pink things....fyi
If you do want to get her gifts, a chemo survival kit would be cute. Things I needed were: Senakot S, ducolox, claritin, aleve, good lotion (chemo dries skin bad!), good nail polish (some chemo's can make you lose nails), carb snacks (I craved carbs! Most food I could not even taste..you lose ability to taste food during chemo), organic dark chocolate (over 70% cocoa is OK for BC gals), trashy magazines.
I think it would be great if you could arrange a schedule of people to send her funny cards, notes or emails. I can tell you when you face a few months of chemo it seems like everyone forgets you and you hear from people infrequently...when I did get a card or note in the mail unexpected, it really made my day. I would have loved to have gotten more during chemo. I am sure it would make her feel really good.
As far as hats and such, many of my BC friends that did lose hair have all abandoned their wigs as they are too hot and uncomfortable. Many of them are going bald or wearing hats. I would get her some cute hats or scarves or even colorful bandanas she can wear - even at home. Most people won't wear the wig at home at all...too uncomfortable. Oh earrings and good organic make up are things your friends can buy her. False eyelashes may also come in handy. I was lucky I did not lose mine (yet) but sometimes they don't fall out until weeks/months post chemo. A good eyebrow pencil that matches her brows will be needed.....even if she does not lose lashes, the will most likely thin - mine thinned bad but with a brow pencil no one could tell.
Your friend is lucky to have you. I like the idea of stickers or temporary tattoo's! I was also stage 1. Here is my blog if it helps you know what she is going through:
http://breastcancerwontdefineme.blogspot.com/
as far as food, and this may be tacky to some, but it seems as if your friend is pretty lighthearted and might enjoy this approach...you could serve melon and chicken breast and jugs of iced tea and other playing off the boob word food.
Is anyone shaving their head with her?
Other gifts could be things to keep her mind occupied during the chemo treatments themselves...
finally, my brother had chemo and did not lose his hair, I hear it's not always for sure with chemo but with radiation yes
Thanks for the ideas as well. She is all about making it light hearted and silly without being tacky. Not sure if that's possible.
Her doctor confirmed she absolutely 100% will lose her hair based on the meds used. Also in talking with the wig store lady (also a BC survivor) agreed.
Her first treatment was today so her opinion on all this may change. Nothing is set in stone and it will be somewhat a last minute event since we're not sure when she'll feel good vs bad and when the hair will actually begin to fall out. She wants to shave it before that or as soon as it shows signs.
We'll see. Thanks for all the insight and ideas.
My dad went through cancer treatment for Lymphoma last year and we had a "Buzzed for Bobby" theme where a lot of the guys in our family shaved their heads and my sisters and I chopped our long hair off.
As far as a cancer survival gift basket my suggestion would be- unscented lotion (my dad loved Aveeno brand), magazines or a light hearted book, itunes giftcard if she has an ipod (it's good for waiting around the hospital between appointments), comfortable socks or slippers that have some sort of grips on the bottom, pajama pants, lifesavers (my dad would like to suck on them when I would clean his catheter so he couldn't taste the cleaning solution- not sure if these are use for breast cancer patients though). I would stay away from any medications because she will be limited on what she can and cannot take while undergoing treatment.
I think the pink theme is cute, it doesn't have to be break cancer awareness ribbons everywhere, but with the food and drinks it would be cute and tasteful. Also, just something to think about- can your friend drink alcohol? You may not want to have it if your friend can't and choose something else instead.
As someone else posted I think making bracelets would be a fun activity for everyone and a great reminder of having her friends support when she sees everyone wearing them.
It's wonderful that you guys are doing this for your friend. Cancer is absolutely terrifying and having the support of family and friends is the best medicine when feeling down. We did a lot of different things for my dad to show him our support, but I think getting a card in the mail or a telephone call really always made his day.
Hate to be a repeat post- but what an AWESOME idea:) You are such a sweet friend:) This is truly an adorable party idea!
(I also agree with maybe shaving it off at the beginning instead of after a ton of drinks?)
This is too cute! What a wonderful gesture of friendship!
I agree with everyone else... Cut off all of her hair early on! Don't wait for the alcohol to set in.
I'm not comfortable with "Hair today and Gone tonight". What about:-
She's going to have a "Bald" whether or not you're "Hair"... But it would be so much sweetie...if you'd bring a dish to share. LOL
I'm not a poet but hey it gets rid of that word "gone".
She will need the Support and Love from all her friends and family. She's taking a lot of hits and yet she has remained light spirited. Good for her!!!
She said that she didn't want any gifts but you can ask everyone to chip in and buy her a mp3 player.. 8g IPOD. I think that there is nothing better than music to cheer the soul. Bob Marley said "One good thing about music when it hits you, you'll feel no pain"
India Arie, Nora Jones, Refuges... fill it up with music!!!