It’s hard to believe, but the days have flown by and your child is now another year older. One of the most exciting things you can do to celebrate is to give them a birthday party.
If you're like many parents, you may feel stressed over how to plan the event from start to finish. If that's the case there's no need to worry, because we've got this covered! In this article, we'll provide a stress-free guide to planning your child’s birthday party.
Use the internet
The first thing you'll need is some inspiration, and you can find this on blogs and specialist websites on the Internet. You could begin by visiting Google.com and typing in things like ‘birthday parties' or ‘children’s parties'. There are also lots of parenting forums where parents share their tips and advice about organizing children’s parties.
If you establish your budget, first of all, this will provide a foundation for deciding on the location, food, games etc. The internet can be a great resource for buying everything, including party supplies. The popularity of www.whowants2party.com.au confirms that people are actively seeking things like balloons, party games, themed paper plates and cake decorations.
There are often a host of different themes to choose from, including Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Alice In Wonderland.
Choose the date and time and then send invites
You need to choose a date and time that works for your family as well as the guests that you invite. Be sure to consider any other things that may be happening on the same day. Also, be sure to pick a date and time that is available for the location you have chosen.
You need to send out the invites around two weeks before the party. This will give the parents time to plan their day around it. Don't send the invite too far in advance, however, as they may forget. Be sure to include details such as:
- where and when the party will be held
- the RSVP deadline
- directions or a map
- a request for any special dietary requirements
Pick a theme and venue
If you choose a theme upfront (such as we mentioned earlier) this can help you decide on decorations, food, and games that will match it.
Choosing a theme for your child’s birthday party can help you decide on decorations, food, games, and more. For instance, if the party is themed after your child’s favourite character, you can decorate accordingly with character-related details. An even more exciting addition is life-size replicas of the character made of either cardboard or inflatable. Inflatable character replicas are best to use in this case, as they can be customized to any size and shape that you prefer, creating a fun and interactive way to capture the essence of the theme at the party.
You'll want to pick a venue that can accommodate your guest list and the activities you have planned. If you’re having a lot of kids over, make sure to check if the venue has a playground or other outdoor space for them to run around in. Should there be potential rain, make sure there is somewhere indoors that people can relocate to.
Plan the activities
If you want everyone to have a good time at the party, you'll need to choose things that your guests will enjoy doing. Include activities that will keep everyone involved (whatever their age or gender), but don’t overdo it – you don’t want the party to start feeling like a marathon!
When planning activities, factor in time for eating and opening gifts if you are doing them at the party. If you have any special surprises planned, such as a mascot or entertainer, leave enough time for that too. Having an itinerary can be very helpful when planning out your day so nothing gets forgotten.
Plan the menu
When it comes to food, think about what kind of party you want. Do you want a sit-down meal with servers? Or do you want everyone to graze at a buffet table? Once you've decided, it will help you identify what needs to be bought.
Besides choosing the food and drink you'll need to decide whether or not you’re going to provide a birthday cake. If so, be sure to factor those costs into your budget. Kids love to have a party bag to take away with them (containing sweets and toys etc.) so this may be something else for you to plan.
Let people help you
Don’t be afraid to ask friends for help, because you may need someone to bake the cake or to keep an eye on the kids while you're busy. By involving others, it will make the planning process a lot less stressful for you, plus you can have some extra help clearing up afterwards.
As you can see, there are lots to think about, but with a little planning, finance and additional help it can all come together. In return for your time and effort, your child will have a great day of celebration, and so will all their friends.
