Party Checklist
So your child's birthday is fast looming, and the questions are coming thick and fast regarding what the day will hold. Depending on your child's age and personality, and your capacity to pull off this much-anticipated event, a few considerations and simple steps can help ensure a fun-filled event for the kids that's as stress-free as possible for you.
1.Set a theme - discuss this with your child, and choose a theme they're particularly interested in. This will help set the tone of the day, and can guide you with everything from the invitations to the decorations and cake.
2.Event size - bear in mind that you will be responsible for keeping all guests amused and fed, and young children will need to be accompanied by their parents.
3.Choose a venue - choose an age-appropriate setting which is close to guests, and weather-appropriate. Some suggestions include your home, a local park, an indoor playground or kid-friendly café/restaurant. If outside, always have a back-up plan for rain.
4.Book entertainment - if you wish to enlist the help of a clown or jumping castle for instance, be sure to book well in advance, and before the invitations go out.
5.Invitations - send at least 3 weeks in advance. Set specific start and finish times (be sure to work around sleep and meltdown times if applicable). Be very clear regarding the venue, and state if the party is fancy-dress. Include RSVP date and details to ensure you can plan appropriately for the event.
6.Catering - Provide a mix of sweet treats and healthy options. Offer plenty of drinks, especially in warmer weather, and be allergy-wise. Make or buy a cake, which can conclude the formalities on the day. If you wish to pre-order a specific cake, be sure to do this 3-4 weeks in advance.
7.Outsource - Accept all offers of help, and if you're busy, ask close friends and family to bring a plate. Ordering platters from your local deli/bakery in advance can be a blessing on the day, and you may wish to book in a local babysitter or student for a few hours to help with games etc on the day.
8.Prepare in advance - Buy decorations, table settings & dry goods in advance to avoid a last minute panic. Find a few easy recipes that can be frozen and defrosted/heated on the day (quiches, muffins, sausage rolls etc).
9.On the day - keep things as simple as possible, and plan for mess and noise (have paper towels and baby wipes handy!). Use colourful paper plates & cups to avoid unnecessary dishes (be sure to recycle), and keep a large rubbish bag or two outside to deal with the mess. It's also wise to have a simple emergency kit at hand.
10.Enjoy! This should be a special occasion for you and your child.
