Today I will Discuss Birthday Party Planning for our Children Words of Advice Part I! We often get caught up in keeping up with the Jones's aspect of our children's birthday celebrations. Sit down and take a moment to think about how you want your children to remember their birthday's as they grow up. If it's lavish "out do the neighbors kids birthday party" each year then go for it! If it's teaching your children that the celebration of their birth is an important day to reflect and embrace how important their life is to your family then I'm your girl!
We have a small home, a large extended family, and family friends that expect to attend our children's birthday parties each and every year. We also include new friends from school or our from extra curricular activities. The birth of our children is something we all celebrate and I enjoy spending the celebration of their lives each and every year with friends and family that have watched us grow as a family!
Words of Advice:
*Dig in and find the simple things that make your loved one happy and then build the event around their Favorites!
*You don't have to be a crafty stay- at- home mom to rock out a birthday party or any party for that matter!
*Include your child from Start to Finish no matter their age or interest level. This includes preparing food, shopping for supplies, and helping get the house cleaned up for guests! Preparing a party is a lot of work and when everyone participates in the preparation it makes it a more enjoyable experience. Not preparing your children for entertaining while they are young will ensure you will always have every event and holiday even when they are grown and gone from your home! There will come a day you will gladly want to hand off these traditions to your children!
*Choosing a Party Date: Check with close family & friends on a date you may have in mind prior to "officially setting the date in motion." Nothing rocks the boat more than a family member or close friend not knowing well in advance of the date and making them uneasy when something else is planned for the date you have chosen. Only give official invites to school friends and save time by just shooting out Evites or making a good old fashioned phone call to the peeps in your inner circle!
*Decide Right OFF what this party is going to be... Theme a party on your child's interests and favorite things not necessarily their favorite Disney Cartoon Character! Note to Self: Dora, Diego, Thomas all very cool things and maybe great ideas for gifts but shake up your creative genes a little and pass on the television character endorsements! Example: Child loves Thomas the Train: It's a Train Party! We don't need Thomas paper goods and banners ask the little guests to wear their favorite Thomas Shirt or Train Gear to the Bash if you must include Thomas, Make Engineer Hats as an activity, have a building blocks and train station area set up for interactive play, create a sugar cookie decorating station with examples of pre made sugar cookies on the table decorated like trains, or railroad crossing signs. You get the idea! Make it a whole experience!
*I must encourage a family to consider having at least 1 large attraction present at a birthday party per year if you can afford it! Most of my budget is spent on the attractions for the kiddos! I am the mom that loves a good bounce house it usually gets delivered early and my kid's can actually have something to do before they explode with excitement waiting for the party to begin! Using a reputable company that has a great reputation in your community for these rentals is a must!
*Establish a relationship with a great Face Painter in your community! Having a face painter that is willing to create designs just for your party theme is super great! Example: Dinosaur Party... Dinosaur Faces! I use a face painter that also does glitter tattoos, and henna art! I ask her to bring all of her talent to the birthday parties I host. I tend to have a mix of age groups in children. Some are past the face being painted stage so I like to have options. The parents attending also enjoy getting Henna or Tattoos with their children's names or zodiac signs! It's fun and involves everyone! BTW these services can be very reasonable do your homework!
*Always Keep Food Simple and make a Splash with the presentation. Have it cooked, and ready to go at least a few hours before the bash! This is super important for your sanity! You need the last few hours prior to a party beginning to shower, dress, and down at least one glass of wine! Having one glass works wonders! Just Saying!
Choose your child's favorite fruit (Strawberries), Veggie (Corn), Main Dish Made by Mom (Mac N Cheese), drink (Lemonade)!
Time to Make These Simple Foods Pop!
Strawberries: Place Fresh Strawberries on Skewer, Fill a Small Sandwich Bag with Chocolate Chips, Tie Baggie with Ribbon and Tie Around Skewer! "Yay! Healthy Strawberries with Chocolate Morsels!"
Corn: Corn on The Cob! Kids LOVE corn on the cob, Skewer Corn Cob halves in the crock pot, have spray butter, popcorn cheese shakers, salt and pepper. Prepare Corn/Black Bean salsa or buy it, Serve with Chips! Presentation Matters... Have Stations and make everything outdoors when possible!
*Mac N Cheese: I bake mac and cheese find a variety of vintage mugs at thrift stores and load them up with Mac N Cheese with spoons attached! Don't want glass... be creative! Visit garage sales, thrift stores! They always have kids cups and dishes. It's fun to spice up the dishes without using paper and plastic plates all the time, it does not matter if they match!
*Lemonade: Simple... But invest in some real lemon slices and a nice pitcher(s). Always have iced water on hand in addition to the beverage choice you have selected. Also, I prepare an "adult" beverage for my grown ups attending the birthday! Remember: While not all parents drink alcohol it will pleasantly surprise you to find that most appreciate and do not turn down a glass or 2! Parents love that you are relaxed enough to offer them a grown up surprise!
* Don't Freak Out that You are Starving Your Guests: While this does not seem like tons of food... Children want to run and play! Adults are watching the children run and play! Don't go crazy with so much food!
* Please, Please, Please consider hosting the start time of your party no earlier than 3pm on a Saturday! Any earlier in the day and your RSVP's will dwindle as most families are on the run Saturday mornings and early afternoons! Don't Host Parties for anyone but family on Sunday's! No one wants to be at a child's birthday party on a Sunday if your not family and have the obligation to do so!
*Set up Chairs and Tables the night prior to the party! Remember this is supposed to be well planned and relaxed. Also, we all know that our very special husband's "dad" can drag on set up so if he is helping you prepare give him a "12 pack" and a SPECIFIC list of his duties then leave him alone!
This Concludes Part I in Planning by Soiree Mom!
