iSpy Family

Planning your child’s birthday party is never an easy task; there are
just too many things to keep track of. Use this simple checklist to help you
begin planning.
—–
4-6 weeks before your party
If you
are planning entertainers, face-painters, bouncy castle hire etc, check out a
list of local suppliers and contact to find out how much notice they will need.
This may vary depending on the area in which you live, and the time of year you
are choosing to have your party. Be prepared to book very
early.
—–
3-4 weeks before your party
Pick the party date and
time. Parties usually range from one and a half hours to three hours.
Book
any outside services you require, such as entertainers, face-painters, bouncy
castle etc, if you have not done so already.
Choose your party theme. Your child should enjoy doing
this with you. If they have a particular favorite
character this may be an obvious choice. Otherwise, your child could help choose
by browsing the partyware themes pages with you.
Create the guest list. Let
your child pick out the friends he or she wishes to invite. If you want to
restrict the party to a particular number of friends, make sure that your child
narrows down the list to this number. In any case, it may be advisable to review
your child’s list to ensure that no child would feel unreasonable excluded (for
example, if all the boys in your child’s class are invited, except
one).
Order your party supplies, decorations, party favors, prizes for games
etc. Be sure to order enough tableware for adults that will be attending too,
and additional party bags and fillers for siblings of guests who may
arrive.
—–
2-3 weeks before your party
Send the invitations.
It is best to ask guests to RSVP to estimate how many children you may
expect.
Decide on activities and games for the party.
Plan your menu. Are
their any special dietary requirements? For a kids party, we recommend staying
away from nuts all together.
Arrange for extra help on the day of the party
from relatives or friends.
—–
1 week before the party
Order
your cake from a supermarket or cake decorator if you are not baking your
own.
Let brothers or sisters invite a special friend over for the day of the
party.
Confirm booking of any entertainers or outside
services.
—–
2-3 days before the party
Buy the food, drinks,
sweets and treats for the party. If you have not already got them, don’t forget
the candles.
Check batteries and film for the camera and/or
camcorder.
Arrange to have balloons filled with helium to pick up the day of,
or the day before the party.
If you are making your own, bake the cake.
If
your child has a particular outfit they want to wear, make sure it’s ready to
wear.
—–
1 day before the party
Pick up the cake from the
cake decorator or supermarket, or finish decorating if you are making your
own.
If a morning party, pick up helium-filled balloons and/or blow up
non-helium balloons.
Prepare the party area by removing furniture, or
breakable objects and decorate. (Indoor only, outdoor area is best left to the
day of the party).
Prepare any food that can be made ahead of
time.
—–
THE DAY OF THE PARTY
If a late-afternoon or night
party, pick up the helium-filled balloons and/or blow up non-helium
balloons.
If an outdoor party, decorate, and, if necessary, place balloons
etc at the gate to direct guests to your house.
Prepare food and drinks that
could not be made ahead of time.
Have your child ready and dressed one hour
before the party.
Don’t forget to take plenty of photos or video to record
the day. If at all possible, try to recruit someone to do this. You’ll be very
busy with other party things that great photo opps will most likely be
missed.
Enjoy the day and plan a
relaxing treat for yourself after the party has finished.

About the Author:

Jennifer Wilke owns and runs Print Picture Perfect - an online store with a
large selection of invitations, birth announcements and stationery available,
along with adorable designs of unique and fun birthday cards. www.printpictureperfect.com

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