anniversary celebration

[embracing-it.livejournal.com]

Hello All,

Like many others in the U.S., I never recognized or ritualized my menarche 10 years ago.  Two years ago I celebrated with my friends.  Next week will mark the 10th anniversary of my first period.  I decided to have a celebration to commemorate this anniversary.  The purpose of the celebration is to share women's experience, celebrate women in all different phases of their lives, and to celebrate my personal transition from a very scared little girl to a not quite as terrified woman over the past ten years.  I want this to be a rite of passage ceremony for me as I leave college this semester as well as honoring all of those women around me who never had the opportunity to celebrate this important milestone in their own lives.

My question for you is, if you were to attend an event like this, what would you like to see?  Any ideas on decorations? Food? Music? Gifts? Crafts? Other things?  It is gender and age inclusive as well as queer friendly, so I'm trying to take that into consideration while making plans.

Thanks for any suggestions you might have!!     

Comments

[hexeengel.livejournal.com]

As far as activities (or even gifts), maybe TamponCrafts.com (http://www.tamponcrafts.com) could give you some ideas. I'd serve red wine/juice myself (and maybe some of the Women's Teas from Yogi), and PMS-cravings food, especially chocolate. Since it's age-inclusive, if there are younger ladies there who have just started or will probably soon start their periods, maybe make them care packages with tampons/pads/cups, some Motrin/Pamprin, teas, chocolate, and related reading materials. Music wise, anything that makes you feel happy, relaxed, and maybe even some songs celebrating womanhood (I can only think of country ones off the top of my head, and it's not even a genre I'm particularly fond of :P).

Just a few thoughts on the fly. If I come up with more, I'll come back :)

[embracing-it.livejournal.com]

I've had tampponcrafts.com in mind since the very beginning! I love the idea of care packages for younger people too, I never would have thought of that. What songs did you have in mind? I am inviting a pretty ecclectic crowd, so country might not be too bad of an idea. :)

Thanks for the suggestions!

[hexeengel.livejournal.com]

The songs that came to mind were "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" by Shania Twain, and two by Gretchen Wilson, "Redneck Woman" (from what little I know of the song, she means "redneck" in a "tough as nails chick" kind of way) and "I Came for the Party."

I also meant to give you links about the Women's Teas I mentioned; Dong Quai Tonic (http://yogitea.com/Organic-Tea/Tea.asp?Tea_ID=WT01), Raspberry Leaf (http://yogitea.com/Organic-Tea/Tea.asp?Tea_ID=WT05), and Moon Cycle (http://yogitea.com/Organic-Tea/Tea.asp?Tea_ID=WT02) (I personally use this one to help with cramps, both before and during my period. It works damn near instantly for me :D).

Hope your party goes well!

[michelleh324.livejournal.com]

I really want to have a five year party in May!

[embracing-it.livejournal.com]

you should!!

[kateherself.livejournal.com]

What a great idea!

Will there be men at the party or is it women only?

What about doing a red tent kind of theme, with stations to self-pamper?

Let us know what you end up doing.

[embracing-it.livejournal.com]

It's gender inclusive, so men and women and everyone else are very welcome. I really like the idea of self-pampering stations. I think that could totally be done without spending tons of money too.... Thanks for the suggestion :)

[scorpionis.livejournal.com]

Hire a henna artist, or if you're a good artist and feel adventurous, buy an at home kit (make sure it's fresh! powder should be fairly green). The red-brown stain you get on your skin has some obvious symbology and it's a really beautiful way to honor yourself and your femininity.

[embracing-it.livejournal.com]

ooh, that's an incredible idea. I'm not sure I could afford a henna artist, but I might know some people who would be willing to do it for free/very little. Do you know of any affordable and trustworthy henna kits?

[scorpionis.livejournal.com]

If you go to www.hennapage.com and click on the "suppliers" link at the top, there's a list of really reliable vendors who can either sell you a kit or some premixed paste that's been frozen (henna paste doesn't keep). If you choose the latter you have to pay for 2-day shipping, so that's something to consider. If we lived in the same place, I'd do it for you really cheap! I've done a menses celebration before for a young girl and it was really great. Have fun!