Party Planning…! HELP?

Children’s parties-we all have our own view on these! As entertainers we LOVE parties and know there is A LOT to plan when putting on a party or event and each and every party we have attended has been wonderful in its very own way. It is a special day for your little boy or girl and of course you want it to be memorable-in a good way! We have also had to plan our own daughters’ parties and I can honestly say….give me a room full of 40 or so 4-5 year olds any day!! Entertaining a party and planning a party are different things altogether! I only had to plan for  12 children for my own daughter’s party…I can understand the stress!

Most Mums and Dads or carers seem to start ‘planning’ a party about 3 months beforehand-whether this is just thinking about it or putting pen to paper-it might just pop up around then. Some of us love to plan a birthday and some of us don’t!  Well for larger ‘venue’ parties where you are inviting a number or class full of children here are a few party tips when thinking ahead 🙂 Most of us do the big party just a couple of times or even once (if at all) but even so a bit of planning can go a long way. Plan ahead and as you get closer to the date…don’t worry…really…the day will go as it will go and the most important thing is that YOUR child has a lovely day…oh and that YOU don’t miss it!

                             PARTY PLANNING TIPS…

1. 2-3 months in advance start ‘planning’! If you are having a theme decide on this (and it may change several times before the day but that’s ok!)
2. If you are hiring a venue and looking for an entertainer DO THIS NOW! Contact the entertainer FIRST as any good entertainer will be booked up 2-3 months ahead and you want to find out their time slots if they have any and what sort of packages and prices/lengths of party they run.
3. If you have found someone (who has good reviews and is recommended to you) check their availability THEN contact your venue…if there is a match and you’re happy with budget/timings BOOK IT NOW! If things don’t match up-ring round venues or check another date..then BOOK IT NOW! Often venues and entertainers require a deposit to secure a date and they can’t hold them for you so whilst you look it could go and you may be left with having to look last minute for something less guaranteed.
4. INVITES! You can buy or make these..or better still get your little one to help! If there is a smaller number then they might enjoy helping you print off or stick-they can write the names in the invite and you write the details. You can find free printables online if you’re on a budget and use small envelopes if handing out at the school gates to keep that piece of paper from floating off!
5. …BUT WHO should we invite? The politics of who to invite! 😉 If it is the whole class go for it (make sure your entertainer caters for this number!) If you little one prefers a smaller group of his/her friends then this is ok. It really is! There have been so many parties where children can get overwhelmed by the numbers of guests-it doesn’t mean they’re not having a nice time but it can often just be a little too much if there are over 30 children and not necessarily all friends. Be sympathetic and explain to parents/carers if you need to-do what is right for YOUR family and YOUR child.
6. But what if MY child doesn’t get an invite back?! Again-I could be wrong but sometimes I think there may be ‘hidden rules’ we feel we have to follow when planning parties !! 🙂 Of course we don’t want any children to feel left out but if you are unable or unsure about catering for a larger number than don’t stress yourself. For my own girls my youngest couldn’t cope with more than 4 at her 3rd party (at home) and for my eldest she only wanted her friends she played with at the time (but of course this changes!!) 🙂 If it makes life easier for you on the playground do the class-if you’re not so sure and your child would be happier with smaller-opt for fewer guests 🙂
7. Wait for replies/RSVPS….(right up until the morning of the party! 😉 ) and…
8. plan/buy your tableware (if having any)- generally (if you are buying and not offered at the venue) you will need: table covers, plates, serving plates (if food is placed on the table to share), paper cups, extras?: straws, table confetti, decorations etc… you will also need spoons if ‘scooping’ food-humous for example! 🙂
9. OR…do lunch boxes/bags! (I will write about these another time but they are a good way of saving money and food!)
10. NEXT-other party ‘bit n bobs’ you may not want to forget: balloons, matches, party bags (or a thank you favour if not a party bag fan!), cake, matches!, kitchen roll or wipes, matches!!! 😉
11. CAKE-if ordering a cake get this booked in with good time. If making it you can do this couple of days before the party…depending on how confident you are!( (More on cakes another day…)
12. FOOD-night before/the morning of- POPULAR EASY CHOICES: sandwiches, fruit, bread sticks, yogurt tubes, carrot and cucumber sticks, pizza slices, cakes, biscuits, crisps, dips…all simple party tea food or HOT FOOD seems to also be a popular choice eg pizza and chips!
13. PARTY BAGS/GIFTS-prep these up beforehand and it makes it so much easier if they are either all the same/boy and girl or named! Then your little one can hand them out at the end of the party 🙂 (they might like to write the names on too) 🙂 ps. You don’t have to do party BAGS-how about a book, small gift, sweet cone instead-it saves money on a lot of little plastic toys that may not make it til the end of the day! Save yourself money and although many parents like to hand out a favour at the end (and it cues the end of the party!!) it doesn’t have to be ‘too much’. The best examples we’e seen are: a cupcake and a book, sweetie cone, teddy, bracelet in a pretty pouch, sticker book, craft kit….so so many ideas! 🙂
14. FOOD FOR PARENTS!? We have been to so many parties where Mum and Dad are in the kitchen and miss half the party! Did you take photos? No! Did you? Nope! So why not leave the tea/coffee-ask someone else to help or ask parents to help themselves. A few cupcakes or snacks may be appreciated-it is hard work watching a party for two hours, especially if over lunchtime…!! But don’t worry yourself about having to host too much-yes chat to parents and welcome everyone but then go and enjoy your child at their party!
15. IS that everything? Have you got your camera, MATCHES, cake, party bags, spoon, knife, kitchen roll, drinks (squash/jug/cartons), phone in case of last minute RSVPS or lost/poorly guests!
16. AT THE VENUE: Balloons outside help guests and the entertainer to find your party. About half an hour if your super fast is needed to set up- an hour if you like to take your time and decorate more elaborately. You will probably have to book out this extra time with the venue. Set up-blow up balloons, play music if providing your own, then wait for guests….relax and TRY AND WATCH AND ENJOY THE PARTY!!! 🙂
17. DO THE CAKE just after food that way you can cut it up with plenty of time (or do cupcakes instead!)
18. When it’s all over buy a bottle of wine because…WELL DONE YOU DID IT!!.. and put your feet up…until next time! x

More ideas for parties, events or storytelling with children on our page and facebook

http://www.supersparkleparties.co.uk

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