Party Planning Tips
Mums and Dads have been hosting children's parties for decades, and while fads and themes will come and go, there are some key elements to ensuring successful parties, which are best not kept secret.
To keep your little one's day as fun as possible, and to minimise your stress levels, below is a collection of 'tried and true' suggestions from our panel of seasoned Mums.
Keep parties smaller rather than larger - kids won't be overwhelmed and will enjoy more meaningful interaction, allowing you to provide a higher-quality experience.
Keep parties short - a couple of hours is quite acceptable for all ages, and will minimise boredom and disputes etc.
Timing is important. For little ones, avoid sleep & meltdown times (weekend mornings are ideal). School-age kids may prefer after-school parties, allowing for a few hours of much-anticipated fun, without cutting into people's weekends.
Always involve your child in the planning and preparation, to ensure their enthusiasm and buy-in.
Always be clear on pick-up details, to avoid stray children being left in your care. Collect parent contact details in case of emergency.
Include your child's last name on the invitation, to avoid confusion.
Keep an RSVP list by the phone, to keep track of attendants.
Ask a relative or babysitter to help out on the day. They can help supervise games, or assist with catering and cleaning.
Buy what you can in advance, and bake the birthday cake the day before - just in case!
Confirm any orders, reservations or bookings the week before.
Hire toys from a local hire centre or toy library.
Rig games to ensure everyone receives appropriate attention and prizes.
Have an 'emergency kit' on hand - paper towels, wipes, scissors, basic medical supplies (plasters etc), mobile phone, insect repellent, sunscreen etc.
Talk through your expectations of your child in advance, and have them practice saying thank you!
Keep a list of presents, and (if old enough) have your child send short thank you notes to friends after the party.
Most importantly, be as organised as you can - sort your menu well in advance, shop for what you can in the weeks prior, and pre-prepare or freeze food, and things will feel much less pressured on the day. It's best to prepare more food and games than you think you'll need, and to have a secret stash of goodies on hand in case of emergencies. Finally, remember to relax and enjoy the day yourself. Your little one is growing up, and a birthday should be a special occasion for the whole family.
