Planning your child’s birthday party
We love planning children’s parties! Kids are such fun and so easy to please . . . give them some music and space to run around and they are thrilled to bits! Sometimes it’s us, the adults, who are the ones who make it more stressful than it needs to be. If you keep in mind that this should be a celebration of your child (and also, kudos to you, for making it this far as a parentJ), than everything will fall into place. Here are some tips that will help:
Pick a theme: Themes are a great starting point. Remember, you don’t have to go over the top crazy with it! If your child likes butterflies, it can be a butterfly party. Or, if your child likes to cook, you can do a cooking party. As young as 3 a child will most likely be able to share with you what type of party they would like. Suggest 2 different types of parties and then let your child choose. For example, “Would you like a pirate party or a baseball party?” Giving the child the opportunity to make a decision helps give them ownership of their birthday and will make them feel involved. It is important to remember that the party is about your child . . . not perfection.
Choose budget/stay organized: Do not try and “keep up with the Jones’”. This will only give you agita and stress. Remember, the party is about your child, not trying to impress others. If you’re not sure how much you can afford, keep a running tab of the receipts of your purchases. Having a file folder or even a gift bag where you can keep all of your party lists, ideas, and “stuff” is helpful; even if everything is just thrown into the bag or a box, at least you will know where it is and you won’t go crazy looking through the papers on the dining room table or hoping they are not at the bottom of the dirty laundry pile (yup, I’ve found mine there many times).
Choose venue, date and time of party, and make guest list. We love home parties, especially for children’s birthdays. Their memories when they are older will be of their childhood home, so having their party at home is part of their history. If the party is going to be outside, be sure to have a back-up plan and/or a rain date. However, be realistic . . . if you plan on having 75 guests and your home will comfortably fit 40 people, it would be wise to rent a facility instead of cramming everyone uncomfortably into your house.
Prepare decorations: We like to call this “set-design”! A welcome sign is always nice. Balloons are great. Have your child get involved with helping. If you are having a butterfly party, your child could decorate (i.e., with glitter, beads, glue, colored paper, markers, or paint) pre cut-out butterflies from the internet or a craft store. Then, they can be hung from the ceiling, or strung across an area like garland. If your budget allows, maybe buy some butterflies to release. Lights and music, of course (see previous entry on “Light, music, cue the party!” from January ‘08).
Menu: Choose your snacks, main food, beverages and dessert (if adults will be at the party, this may alter your menu selection).
Activities: Most kids are happy with “free play”. However, it’s nice to have a few activities planned. We are fans of Pin the tail on the donkey; you can modify it to your theme. For a dinosaur party it can be Pin the tail on the dinosaur; for a circus party, Pin the nose on the clown. We like to KEEP IT SIMPLE! To reiterate, kids are not that difficult to please when it comes to what they need to have fun. Tattoos are always a hit, and kids have a great time with a piñata. Opening gifts is an activity and a great opportunity to teach kids how to communicate appreciation and thankfulness to their guests.
Favors: You can give the children their favors upon arrival, for example if it is a barn/hoe-down, children receive cowboy hats and bandanas upon arrival. Or, the piñata goodies can be their take-home favor. A little bag with items related to the “theme” and tied with a thank-you tag is nice.
Above all else, have fun with your child and family during preparation and the actual party. Get your child involved with as many details as possible; making the invitations, decorations, putting together goody bags, cleaning up the house to get ready for the guests. Dig deep, put on a smile, and remember, your child will love their party no matter what! Take lots of photos and make lots of memories!
Many moms have commented how much they love our Birthday in a Box ordering site. Click on it through our on-line ordering and everything is at your fingertips: invitations, thank-you’s, party ware, decorations, favors and games. Plus, there are monthly coupons especially for our clients!
Happy Birthday, little one!
Creatively Yours,
Pick a theme: Themes are a great starting point. Remember, you don’t have to go over the top crazy with it! If your child likes butterflies, it can be a butterfly party. Or, if your child likes to cook, you can do a cooking party. As young as 3 a child will most likely be able to share with you what type of party they would like. Suggest 2 different types of parties and then let your child choose. For example, “Would you like a pirate party or a baseball party?” Giving the child the opportunity to make a decision helps give them ownership of their birthday and will make them feel involved. It is important to remember that the party is about your child . . . not perfection.
Choose budget/stay organized: Do not try and “keep up with the Jones’”. This will only give you agita and stress. Remember, the party is about your child, not trying to impress others. If you’re not sure how much you can afford, keep a running tab of the receipts of your purchases. Having a file folder or even a gift bag where you can keep all of your party lists, ideas, and “stuff” is helpful; even if everything is just thrown into the bag or a box, at least you will know where it is and you won’t go crazy looking through the papers on the dining room table or hoping they are not at the bottom of the dirty laundry pile (yup, I’ve found mine there many times).
Choose venue, date and time of party, and make guest list. We love home parties, especially for children’s birthdays. Their memories when they are older will be of their childhood home, so having their party at home is part of their history. If the party is going to be outside, be sure to have a back-up plan and/or a rain date. However, be realistic . . . if you plan on having 75 guests and your home will comfortably fit 40 people, it would be wise to rent a facility instead of cramming everyone uncomfortably into your house.
Prepare decorations: We like to call this “set-design”! A welcome sign is always nice. Balloons are great. Have your child get involved with helping. If you are having a butterfly party, your child could decorate (i.e., with glitter, beads, glue, colored paper, markers, or paint) pre cut-out butterflies from the internet or a craft store. Then, they can be hung from the ceiling, or strung across an area like garland. If your budget allows, maybe buy some butterflies to release. Lights and music, of course (see previous entry on “Light, music, cue the party!” from January ‘08).
Menu: Choose your snacks, main food, beverages and dessert (if adults will be at the party, this may alter your menu selection).
Activities: Most kids are happy with “free play”. However, it’s nice to have a few activities planned. We are fans of Pin the tail on the donkey; you can modify it to your theme. For a dinosaur party it can be Pin the tail on the dinosaur; for a circus party, Pin the nose on the clown. We like to KEEP IT SIMPLE! To reiterate, kids are not that difficult to please when it comes to what they need to have fun. Tattoos are always a hit, and kids have a great time with a piñata. Opening gifts is an activity and a great opportunity to teach kids how to communicate appreciation and thankfulness to their guests.
Favors: You can give the children their favors upon arrival, for example if it is a barn/hoe-down, children receive cowboy hats and bandanas upon arrival. Or, the piñata goodies can be their take-home favor. A little bag with items related to the “theme” and tied with a thank-you tag is nice.
Above all else, have fun with your child and family during preparation and the actual party. Get your child involved with as many details as possible; making the invitations, decorations, putting together goody bags, cleaning up the house to get ready for the guests. Dig deep, put on a smile, and remember, your child will love their party no matter what! Take lots of photos and make lots of memories!
Many moms have commented how much they love our Birthday in a Box ordering site. Click on it through our on-line ordering and everything is at your fingertips: invitations, thank-you’s, party ware, decorations, favors and games. Plus, there are monthly coupons especially for our clients!
Happy Birthday, little one!
Creatively Yours,
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home