Step by Step Guide to Organising Your Child"s Birthday Party at Home
In a period of recession, more and more people are celebrating their child's birthday parties at home.
But how do you cope with entertaining a gang of children in your home for 2 hours or more? 1.
Decide on the numbers to be invited to your party.
Remember your house may not fit as many as the local 'pleasureplex'.
2.
If your garden is big enough, make sure you use it.
Damage to your garden is easier to repair than damage to your house! 3.
Have a back-up plan in case of rain.
4.
Line up entertainment (but bear in mind points 2.
and 3.
above).
Don't forget to ask and check for references (and, if relevant, insurance cover).
5.
Line-up additional adults to help on the day and make sure you delegate clear responsibilities to each (otherwise you are just inviting more guests not help).
If you choose to do the entertainment yourself, you will need additional adults to look after food, answering the door, bringing kids to toilets etc.
6.
Send out the invites.
Easiest and cheapest way to do this now is by text/email.
Make sure you ask parents to RSVP (if someone doesn't reply, it maybe that you had the wrong number or an old email address).
Most schools don't like the physical distribution of invites anyway (particularly if one or more of the class is not invited).
7.
Order the cake.
Best asking the little person what type of cake they want - this is very important to them.
There are now a lot of local, independent providers of personalised cakes.
Check online.
A personalised cake can provide the 'wow factor' at relatively little cost.
8.
Order the party bags online.
You can get party bags that come pre-filled with games and sweets - saving you a lot of bother and cost.
Party balloons and bunting can be easily sourced online as well.
9.
Select the party food.
Ask the parents whether their children have any allergies.
Remember, the food should be prepared as much in advance as possible and be easy to serve quickly! 10.
Don't worry about having a spotless house.
A quick tidy before will do.
Save your energy for the party and tidy-up afterwards.
11.
Text 'thank-yous' to the parents afterwards for any presents received.
12.
Finally, remember to have a nice bottle of wine in reserve to help you unwind after a hard (but enjoyable) day!
But how do you cope with entertaining a gang of children in your home for 2 hours or more? 1.
Decide on the numbers to be invited to your party.
Remember your house may not fit as many as the local 'pleasureplex'.
2.
If your garden is big enough, make sure you use it.
Damage to your garden is easier to repair than damage to your house! 3.
Have a back-up plan in case of rain.
4.
Line up entertainment (but bear in mind points 2.
and 3.
above).
Don't forget to ask and check for references (and, if relevant, insurance cover).
5.
Line-up additional adults to help on the day and make sure you delegate clear responsibilities to each (otherwise you are just inviting more guests not help).
If you choose to do the entertainment yourself, you will need additional adults to look after food, answering the door, bringing kids to toilets etc.
6.
Send out the invites.
Easiest and cheapest way to do this now is by text/email.
Make sure you ask parents to RSVP (if someone doesn't reply, it maybe that you had the wrong number or an old email address).
Most schools don't like the physical distribution of invites anyway (particularly if one or more of the class is not invited).
7.
Order the cake.
Best asking the little person what type of cake they want - this is very important to them.
There are now a lot of local, independent providers of personalised cakes.
Check online.
A personalised cake can provide the 'wow factor' at relatively little cost.
8.
Order the party bags online.
You can get party bags that come pre-filled with games and sweets - saving you a lot of bother and cost.
Party balloons and bunting can be easily sourced online as well.
9.
Select the party food.
Ask the parents whether their children have any allergies.
Remember, the food should be prepared as much in advance as possible and be easy to serve quickly! 10.
Don't worry about having a spotless house.
A quick tidy before will do.
Save your energy for the party and tidy-up afterwards.
11.
Text 'thank-yous' to the parents afterwards for any presents received.
12.
Finally, remember to have a nice bottle of wine in reserve to help you unwind after a hard (but enjoyable) day!
Source...