Continuing to back-post...
Unfortunately my network storage is down right now, so I can't access the invitation. But each child received an acceptance letter signed by Minerva McGonagall herself to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It gave directions for the party specifically, included a ticket for the Hogwarts express (Phoenix to Hogwarts) and was sealed in a custom envelope with a wax seal. The invitations took a bit of time, but were one of my favorite aspects of the party.
As our guests arrived, they went through platform 9 and 3/4 with smoke blowing from the train, past Borkin and Burkes at Knockturn Alley and then rounded the corner to go down Diagon Alley. They got to poke around displays at storefronts such as Slug and Jiggers Apothecary (which continued to be a hit througout the night), Flourish and Blotts, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Potage's Cauldrons, and finally they stopped at Ollivanders. At Ollivanders, they sorted through completely customized wands till they found the one that fit just right. Each wand came in its' own padded box, with certificate of authenticity and label (length, core, wood type, rigidity and price).
After Diagon Alley they came to the "Great Hall" complete with house banners and floating candles where they were sorted by Professor Dumbledore. Then they went to one of four house tables for the start of term feast that began after the birthday boy blew out his candles. At each place setting was golden serveware, and a chocolate frog with its' own box and trading card that they could exchange throughout the evening. Along the table (with corresponding colored runners to each house) there were cauldrons of popcorn, buckets of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and fruit for when they watched "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". Their drink options were butterbeer, pumpkin juice (mulled apple cider fresh from our trees) and veritaserum (my favorite- water!).
I was silly to think they would all watch the movie from their house tables. There was a solid core of kids that sat close to the screen and kept telling the others to be quiet. But most were having duels and experimenting at Slug and Jiggers. Regardless, I'm pretty sure fun was had by all.
The thank you notes were 4x6 prints that I made that looked like mini marauder's maps that said "mischief managed" and personalized notes were added to in Sharpie marker.
