For my son's eighth birthday is in December, we treated him to a Christmas movie party. For invitations I made movie tickets on green & red cardstock inviting each child to the movie 'Santa Clause 3'. We had the kids meet at our home.  We first played 'Don't eat Santa' (a knock off version of Don't eat Pete)as kids came. I downloaded several clipart pictures of Santa, placed m&m's on each Santa. One child leaves the room, the other kids choose a Santa, when the child comes back, he is allowed to eat the m&m's until he eat's the Santa that the kids chose in which all the kids yell 'Don't eat Santa'.  The kids loved it!  Next, we loaded the kids in 2 minivans. We listened to Christmas CD music as we drove to the movie theatre.   We brought 2-way radios and the kids we're allowed to 'karoke' to Christmas carols to the other minivan. Personally, I thought this was a little too loud and would recommend ear plugs to anyone who tries then and is driving. But hey, these were 7 & 8 year old boys. The movie theatre has a party room which we rented.  There the kids took turns unwrapping two presents.  The kids had to roll a 7, 11 or doubles with dice. Then put on gloves and unwrap a present (which was wrapped 10 times).  IF the next kid rolled a 7, 11 or doubles, the gloves were passed to him. Whoever unwrapped the last wrapping paper won the prize (Christmas puzzle that I found at the dollar store). Next we ate Christmas ornament cupcakes & ice cream and sang 'Happy Birthday'. I allowed them to decorate white cupcakes with licorice, m&ms, mints, sprinkles, etc.  Afterward, my son opened presents. As we waited for the movie to begin, we played Christmas pictionary (perfect for 2nd graders) and each child was given a light up Christmas pen.  This was all about 1 hour in time frame. Next, the kids were allowed to pick out a popcorn, candy & drink for the movie (aka the meal deal at the movie theatre).  This was part of the movie birthday party price.  We were then escorted to the movie room where the birthday guests had reserved seating to the movie Santa Claus 3.  They thought that was cool. I opted against the traditional goodie bag, and had my son write (done in advance of party) thank you notes on green/red tickets(just a miniture size of invitiation) attached to a candy cane (plus they received the light up pen earlier) which we gave as we drove the kids home. Overall it was a successful birthday party. If transportation is a problem, have the kids meet at the movie theatre. Contact movie theatres in your area and see if they have a room/party room.  It was great, and I didn't have any mess at my home (a present to me).