As most movie-goers know, the Force has certainly awakened with the December release of “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.” Those Christmas lists to Santa were likely peppered with wishes for action figures of characters like Kylo Ren, Rey, Finn, and even our original favorites like Yoda, Han Solo, Leia, Darth Vadar, and don’t forget the droids, BB-8, C-P30 and R2-D2.

If the “Star Wars” excitement is still continuing, your own little Jedis — or even those adult Jedis — are likely requesting their birthday parties be centered around a “galaxy far, far away.” Luckily there are hundreds of ideas floating around Pinterest. Here are just a few favorite ideas for both children and adults to enjoy. For even more, log on to our Party Ideas board on Pinterest. 

Food

Whether you want elaborate or simple, you can transform your home into a Star Wars buffet worthy of any Imperial Lord or Jedi Master. Children will love eating fruity Obi Wan Kabob-ies while also munching on cheesy Tie Fighters. You can serve up Wookie Cookies dressed up like Chewbacca or you can create Princess Leia cupcakes, complete with Oreos decorated like her hair buns. 

Thermal Detonators can take the form of bright orange cheese puffs or even malted milk balls. You can create light sabers out of chocolate-dipped pretzel rods. The main course for the party can either be Han Burgers or Jabba the Pizza Hut. 

Food for more elaborate adult parties might include decorated macaron cookies in the designs of the Death Star, BB-8, R2-D2, Chewie or other characters. You could also serve up Yodamole with Trooper Scoopers.

Just don’t forget the cake — an adorable BB-8 cake or BB-8 cupcakes will be a sure hit.   

Decorations

There are dozens of free printables on Pinterest just waiting to enhance any decorations you’ve planned for the party. Party invitations welcoming adults to the Dark Side, or young Jedis to an epic light saber battle are ready to be customized, too. 

Create your own galaxy by painting balloons or paper lanterns to look like the desert planet Jakku or the icy planet Hoth. Make sure to include the two suns of Tatooine. And, don’t forget the Death Star. 

Create a fun felt banner featuring silhouettes of prominent characters and spaceships for a fun adornment to your front door or food table. 

Don’t forget to create that dark, starry galaxy, too, with the iconic Star Wars logo. Perfect staging area for a photo booth! 

Party games

There are endless ideas for party games and activities. Children would love to play Pin the Buns on Princess Leia or Pin the Ears on Yoda, while the adults might get a kick out of a round of Pin the Bionic Hand on Luke. 

No Stars Wars-themed party would be complete without the proper destruction of the Death Star and the best way to do that is with a piñata, of course. 

Adult parties can include trivia games, identify the spaceships and name the planet, while the children enjoy Star Wars bingo. 

There is a galaxy full of party adventure waiting to happen. 

– Jennifer Durrant, Daily Herald