In this blog Angela from All in All Parties, Townsville shares her 5 secrets to planning a stress free birthday party.
Whether your child is turning one or twenty-one, planning their birthday party is something a lot of parents find very stressful. Not only do you want your child to have a great time, but you also want your guests to enjoy themselves as well. It seems there are so many elements to creating a successful event these days which can not only be time consuming but also expensive. So, I hope the following tips can help you plan your next event without the stress and even get to enjoy the party yourself!
Budget
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Parties can be very costly but they don’t have to be.
- Keep decorations simple. Borrow or hire what you need rather than buying up in lots of things you just won’t use again.
- Allocate a large part of your budget to the entertainment because what the children ‘do’ at the party is more important to them then the food and balloons.
Plan, Plan, Plan
- Start planning 6-8 weeks before your set date.
- Write a list under the following headings; venue, entertainment, catering, cake, decorations, other.
- Choose a theme – this will narrow down a lot of your decision making.
Guest Numbers
- How many children you invite to your party is one of the biggest decisions you can make.
- The more guests you invite, the bigger your budget will need to be.
- We recommend no more than 12 guests, especially if it is a home party.
- Be clear on your invitation if you would like parents to stay or drop their children off. Also state clearly if siblings will be included in the celebrations
Don’t Over Cater
- I know the stress of catering for a party can be huge, but in my experience, guests do not eat a lot at parties.
- We recommend five items on your menu for the children. 2 savoury, 2 sweet and fruit.
- Young children do not have a great sense of self control – so if you put out plates of chips and lollies expect them to be gobbled up in the first 10 minutes of the party!
- We recommend you set aside a 10-15min time in the party to offer the food. This can be in a buffet style or get the children to sit down and you serve them.
- NO FIZZY – diluted cordial is still fun and it doesn’t make them all turn crazy. In my experience, most kids actually just prefer water.
ENJOY the Process
- Who says that you have to run around like a headless chook and then fall in a heap at the end of the day!
- With careful planning, you should be able to enjoy the day and take delight in your child’s experiences.
- Ask for help – older siblings, grandparents, friends. If everyone takes on a job or two, your load should be lighter.
- If your budget allows it, use a Party Planner and let them do it all!
By Angela Barrett – All in All Parties, Townsville