Let’s take a quick survey. Complete this sentence: The thought of planning a birthday party for my kids
- makes me giddy with excitement.
- is something I choose not to think about.
- makes me hyperventilate!
- I experience all of the above at some point in the party planning process.
Do your children have to have elaborate birthday parties to have happy childhoods? NO. Will they remember these parties when they are adults? PROBABLY NOT. Is it still worth it to plan a special day for them. ABSOLUTELY!
I am one of the crazies that loves planning parties for my children. I love the opportunity to craft decorations with my kids, I love any excuse to bring friends and family together, I love to see children elated over games and cupcakes. I just love it! But trust me when I say, I know it can be stressful. Hours spent online looking at ideas, planning a menu, decorations, games, party favors and then it is all over in two hours. It does not have to be stressful though. I have learned some lessons in my years of party planning and I am going to share a few key tips that can make your next party a huge success!
1. Start early! I say as early as 6 months prior to the party. Get a theme in mind and when you see something great for a great deal, then grab it. For example, if you are going to have a candy buffet at your party, then stalk the candy isles the day after holidays. You can find great deals this way!
2. Let the theme work for you, not against you. My daughter’s latest party request was a Dora party. I wanted to panic at first, but the theme actually ended up being a lot of fun. We used bright colors to decorate with and I was able to use a lot of decor items that she already had in her room. Take the current season into account too. Summertime = BBQ, water play, and cookout. Fall could be circus, carnival, or costumes. If you work with the season, the decor will come together much easier.
3. The invitation needs to set the tone for the party, but keep the process simple. There are so many great invitation sites out there. Upload a cute picture to pre-made template and you are in business! This next tip is one that has been hard for me to embrace…just send the invite electronically. Did that make some of you gasp??? I am an old fashioned girl and I love to put cute invitations on my refrigerator, but I just don’t think it is necessary anymore. I do still prefer a well designed custom invite over website invitation tool. You can just send the .jpeg file to your friends and family. They can even print if they want!
4. Plan for success. I think one of the key elements in planning a great kids party is to REALLY plan it. When you are “pinning” away all of the fabulous ideas you have for decorations, keep in mind what the time will be for each of those things. Pick some things that you can make ahead of time and try to avoid the decorations that have to be done at the last minute. Ie: balloons! I also think the party decor should start in the front yard. Guests should be excited by the time they reach the front door! Don’t put all of your efforts into only a food display, it takes a lot work and can fall flat when the food gets eaten.
5. Let the professionals do what they do! If you are an amazing baker, then by all means, make the 4 tiered, 4 flavor cake with spiderman across the top. If youare more human, then I say order the cake. The last thing you need to do is stress about making one of the most important pieces of the party. The cake has to be made within a few days of the party and your efforts would be much better served on other details.
6. Keep the menu simple. What can be made ahead of time? What is good at room temperature. Maybe you can plan the party around time that does not involve a meal to keep things more simple. The last thing you want to do is be stuck in the kitchen while the party is going on in the other room.
7. Don’t forget the kids. The kids love the magical decor, but they are really there to have a good time. It does not have to be elaborate, but it does need to be intentional. Game stations, crafts, scavenger hunts…get them involved in the party!
So, are you ready to plan your next swaray? Go and spend some time on Pinterest (not too much, though) to get inspired and then get to work making it happen. It IS worth it! We would love to hear what kind of parties you have thrown for your kids and any other great tips you have for making them a success, so please share!
