How do I entice the kids for Christmas designs

[Glitterfly Faces]

I just did a 5 year old birthday party and it was Christmas themed.  So, I practiced and prepared more Christmas designs and no one wanted anything to do with any of it.

How do you entice the kids to go for designs you want to do?
I would of loved more creative stuff.  They all wanted a cat or Spiderman.

Thanks for any advice.
Kim

[Sherry]

I paint it on a cute kid and get a picture of it.  Once I have a picture of it on an adorable model, I usually get more requests.  Or you can take Spiderman and butterflies off your board, so they won't be enticed to choose them.  Another idea... offer free "Artists Choice" designs.

[Shannon Fennell]

You don't.  The way I look at it is... it is THEIR face and THEIR choice.  It is nice if they pick what I want to paint, but ultimately it is about them and their experience, not mine.

I amuse myself in my own way to keep myself from getting bored, but - I paint what they want.  And I won't listen to parents telling me what to paint either - I tell them this is about the child and it is their face, and they have to tell me what they want to be painted as themselves.

[Glitterfly Faces]

I don't have a board.  
How many pics do you put on your board?
That is a great idea.
So, they can choose a butterfly but, I can personalize it with their favourite colours.  
I never even thought of that.
I will be doing that from now on.

Thanks Sherry.  :

[Sherry]

I have different boards for different events.  I have 19 on my smallest sign.  I usually take this one to birthday parties or Chick Fil A... smaller events.

  I have about 40 on my bigger board.  I take this one to big events, like festivals and fairs.  Actually I take at least 3 to my pay per face events.  I want to make sure I have plenty of pictures to entice people to get a face painting.

If you attach your pictures with velcro, it makes it so much easier to switch out pictures.

[Glitterfly Faces]

Awesome idea.  I never thought of giving them a certain choice depending on the event or crowd.
I think the mom at my birthday party was hoping the kids would get Christmas designs.  But, like Alison mentioned, it';s up to the kids not the parents.
I am going to start working on my boards rightnow.

Thanks for all the awesome ideas.  Love the velcro trick.

[Sherry]

You're so welcome!   

[Alison]

Kids don't know everything that might be available.
They only know what they've been shown.

So if they've never seen a 6-point snowflake, they don't know it exists.
But if you show it to them, they might (as I had been) be wowed by its symmetrical beauty.

If Spiderman isn't yet in their repetoire, but they've sort of heard it around,
they'll be real excited to see just what the heck it is.

[Glitterfly Faces]

Haha.....so true Alison.  Great philosophy. 
I am making a board this week. 
Thanks all,
Kim

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

When I have a new idea, I paint it on my face or arms. That way they see it "live." But, of course, it guarantees nothing. Take any negativity on the chin and think of all the positive comments. Why be concerned about ONE negative one? Not worth losing sleep over it. It will happen again in the future amidst the myriad of "WE LOVE YOU" comments.