What are some neat things you have done to support your theme?

That is great!

I'm terrible at coordinating parties anyway. I'm usually lucky if the decorations manage to match the theme. I personally would love to hear more ideas like this -- some of us need all the help they can get!

I considered having a luau for Jessi's 4th birthday. As it was, we had the party outdoors and had everyone wear a swimsuit. We then turned on the sprinklers and let them go at it!

How about food related to the theme? I've submitted a few recipes for food related to popular party themes.

Anyone else?

I'll put my contacts to the test and see if anyone has a recipe or some ideas for the dalmations in case someone else would like to try it.

How about cookies shaped like dog bones? I'm sure you can buy a cutter that shape since so many people make their own dog bones these days. That would be cute!

Birthday Themes??

I love birthday parties, showers, anything that I can pick a theme and go from there. It is so much fun and gives me an excuse to really challenge myself.
Example. My son is turning 5 this summer. He wanted a Bob the Builder party. Now unless you live under a rock (or don't have cable) Bob is on Nickelodeon. He is an import from the UK and no place in the USA is currently selling his products. Enter Ebay. I now have 18" inflatable hammers as loot bag toys and I have Bob chocolate bars. I found construction themed plates, etc. And the cake will be something else. A sheet cake with a stand up house cake on top with Bob characters placed around it in work mode (you know lifting pretzels etc). For games I have downloaded Bob coloring pages and we will build a Bob house out of big boxes left over from our move. Each kid even has a yellow hat like Bob's.
I know that not everyone gets into this. Personally I think that this is the fun stuff! I know people (adults) who have come and said that they wished their mom would have done this for them. So I just say "Well, then do it for your kids." I help out anyone who asks. I love this. And if it isn't your cup of tea ask around. Some moms make a business throwing other peoples parties.
If you need food ideas let me know. I love this. We had a shower where the theme was Pooh (the nursery was done in Pooh) For eats we had.. Veggies from Rabbit's garden, Piglets in a blanket, Eeyore houses (a candy thing) Tigger orange/peach punch and a Pooh cake.
All you need to do is think of it from a kid's point of view. Being summer we will still have sprinklers and stuff at my son's party. I'll figure out some way. Maybe I'll put tools on opposite sides and have a relay race running through the sprinkler. I have a couple more weeks to work that out.
Oh that puppy chow recipe? We call it people chow. I'll see if I can find it. I know it's here somewhere. If it isn't still boxed up! The cake would be easy either a Wilton character cake or a plain white cake with Dalmation spots. If you are serving real food why not make sandwiches and cut them to look like bones. We had a train themed party that I took bread dough and put it in Wilton train-shaped cupcake pans. It was an easy way to carry the theme and still stay somewhat healthy. We have people who come from out of town, so I like to have something to give them more than just cake.

Ladies sounds like a neat idea you have going. Party themes can be tricky if you can't do them well. I see that crochetkim has lots of ideas. Go for it. I'd read it.