That's what we've always done. I make the cake myself, or we did cupcakes that the kids could decorate themselves. We did games...for DD I drew a massive Cinderella and we played Pin the glass slipper on Cinderella's foot. For DS, It was pin the soccer ball in the goal with Ernie. And over here, a traditional party game is to tie a marshmallow or a piece of this really dense cake/bread to a piece of string, and they had to try and catch it in their mouths. We did bobbing for candy. And usually some sort of craft with DD's....bracelets, or necklaces. The boys usually just wanted to play soccer. Now DD doesn't want an actual party...just wants to hang out and watch movies with her best friend. And we go to a play gym with DS because we can't find kids who want to come to his party. That may change this year, though, now that he is in chess instead of soccer. He fits in so much better in chess and maybe he'll actually have some friends. Parties at home are a lot of work, but they are fun.