Since I had a tough time finding any ideas from Pinterest or the internet for our Zelda, Breath of the Wild themed party, thought I would share my silliness in what I ended up doing for anyone considering the theme. Even though "It's dangerous to go alone", I did and kinda happy how it all turned out.
TRUE ZELDA GAME LOVERS TAKE NOTE: I took MANY liberties! Such as: we used a Wand of Light that is actually from the Barbie movie Magic of Pegasus AND even resurrected The King himself, but when I could, I tried to be true to the glorious story of Breath of the Wild. Let's be off!
Guests were hand delivered an EX treasure chest a week or so before the party. They opened it to find this...
First...the invitation...
Then a note...a wax sealed note to be exact...to each of Zelda's Champions.
The note explained the items in the chest and all were needed to enter the castle.
Included was a heart vessel (in the shape of a ring) to present to the King once you enter the castle.
And a blank piece of wooden paper included with the note. They learned 1/2 way thru the party that the paper wasn't blank at all. When they traded rupees earned thru completing shrines and quests with Beedle the Merchant (myself), they received the wand and only then, could they read the instructions on the paper.
This is what each Champion saw when they arrived at the castle. Yep, that is a Guardian by the door. The king wanted to leave one to remind the Hylian people what has been accomplished and remember the past. Our party takes place shortly AFTER the end of the completed game.
The Castle Door and a Hylian Shield.
The first shrine the Champions encounter...
Each received a Sheikah Slate to help them thru their quests.
A paper version obviously.
It listed the Quests and Shrines each guest had to do. I was very nervous that kids would go "HUH?" as none of them really played the game. Nothing to be worried about ... they caught on quickly and each completed all the tasks with the perfect amount effort... given the party could only go on so long!
Where is Link you ask??? Well, I asked Amelia who she thought could be Link for the party and she quickly snapped around and said "MOM! Link likes Zelda...Zelda likes Link... NO ONE CAN BE LINK!" Very well, in Zelda's diary...guests read "Link is off hunting in the Akkala Region". She adds "It will feel odd for him not to be here". Problem solved.
Link was there in spirit with posters replacing all our paintings and works of art. Posters stapled to the wall much to the King's displeasure! (They just wouldn't stay with tape!) I might add ... his relief when no visible mark was left!
Rob was a sport and played the King, even wore a crown! What a King will do for their daughter!
Link had given Zelda (Mom/Dad to Amelia) on her birthday the day prior, a compass, to forever find home. Felt that would be something Link would certainly give Zelda. Pretty sure it was our Zelda's favorite gift. She is now a compass collector.
He also gave her a mini telescope that Dad (ahem I mean King) helped her adjust earlier. She did receive a real telescope for her birthday so this seemed appropriate for both Amelia and Zelda.
The compass was part of "Zelda's Study" and since "Zelda's diary" is one of Amelia's favorite parts of the game, I incorporated lots of goodies. Notice her favorite picture of Link...Zelda would have certainly used that one haha.
There was, of course, Zelda's Diary and a guest book and the animals representing the 4 divine beasts (only had an owl for an eagle unfortunately). Lots of other zelda goodies in there too.
There was Link's horse, Epona and Zelda's White horse, more favorites from the game for Amelia.
Shrine's and Quests were scattered around the party and were directed to do this for that...and that for this...kind of thing. Very much like the game.
Each shrine/quest gave a reward. The Bokoblin Throw (Ke'nai Shaka Shrine) gave a small chest that held Rupees (Hylian money) and a note for a side quest to "Find Impa" . Thanks to our friend and Zelda aficionado for helping us out and being our Impa.
The Ya Naga Shrine was to write your name in Hylian. Fancy paper and gold lettering was all I needed to keep the kids entertained on this one. I downloaded the alphabet from a website of all things Zelda.
Now they would have their name in Hylian. They got to keep everything they made or received. I purchased most relatively inexpensive on Amazon or ebay. Made all the props pretty much with what I had on hand...just painted, glued or tapped.
And much like the game, one thing leads to another. Their name in Hylian would get them into "The Best" Quest. In this quest, I would say one thing and they would have to pick the person who best represented what I said. For example "the Shortest". By they end of the game they caught on and all picked baby Ezirah as he has the shortest, not in height...but in...shoe size! Obviously, you wouldn't tell them the second part until they choose someone with the clue "the shortest". As with every party that we have ever had...everyone wins and everyone gets exactly OR similar prizes. Saves anyone from getting sad. It is not the time to teach the lesson of winning and losing I say!
There were a few other Shrines/Quests....including Chu Chu bowling which describes itself, but think their favorite was the "Naydra" Quest.
Yep ... get your bow and arrow out and aim for the dragon! You would receive a Dragon Scale if you hit Naydra! And you WILL need a dragon scale!
Although Zelda's diary said Link was off hunting...I think he was here all along:
Zelda is no match for Link with a bow.
For the dragon scale they received a red heart vessel or link lanyard ... directly from Zelda herself.
The final Quest was "Ask Zelda" or Impa as she was the expert! They received a bag with a journal and pencil ... along with all the other goodies they received thru the game.
I played Beedle the Merchant...who traded and gave out most of these treasures. I took this picture after the party was over (totally forgot), but think it has pretty much everything they put in their goody bag except their name in Hylian and the bag itself.
I don't believe there are balloons in the Zelda game...there had to be in this one.
A Paraglider was an obvious prop that was needed. If you don't get one of these in the game...don't play it.
I love the saying in the game "May the Goddess Shine Upon You." I use it often when Rob hands me a cup of coffee. Not the correct figure to go with it, but this figure is much cuter.
Zelda Amiibos were the center of the table. Link, Zelda and the four Champions had the honors. The map of Hyrule was the table cloth.
As always, the only thing I don't make is the cake...too stressful for me right before the party. I will say, this was the easiest food party ever. Cooking is essential in the game. Very simplistic, but still tasty!
Like Mipha's shrimp...
...Sizzlefin Trout...
...copious berries...
...and hearty Meat Stew...otherwise known as My Mom's Vegetable Beef Soup!
There were Lizalpfos Talons...
...sneaky fish (otherwise known as Sardines)...
...sneaky mushrooms (anything "sneaky" in Zelda game makes it easier to creep up on your enemies)...
and a cheese and cracker smoorishborg, as I am sure they would have such if Hyrule was really a place!
Half way thru the party we had Zelda place the Master Sword
in the stone on top of her cake. She does this in the game for
Link to return and pull it out.
Shoving a sword into a cake is just thrilling. It remained there until...
It was time to sing and blow out the candles.
And since Link wasn't there, Zelda can do the honors.
Time for presents...
and more presents...
and more presents...
and hugs all around.
Until at last, it was time to go. One by one they left tired and happy, pausing outside one last time at the items outside. If you never played the game...a dead Guardian is bewildering.
Thanks to everyone who came!
Easter is right around the corner!