• The earlier you start, the better! Mark your calendar one month before the party, and begin your preparation then. It is much easier to find 15-30 minutes
every evening for a few weeks than to get everything ready the
night before. This Party Planning Guide has a good list of
what should be done in advance of the big day.
• Let your child help plan the event! Turn party
preparations into a family project. Parties planned "for kids-by kids"- with the help of an adult - are the best kinds of parties.
Include the birthday child in the party plans: let him or her choose
the party theme, the color of streamers and the flavor of icing.
And this way you can be sure your child is getting what he/she wants for
their birthday party! Not only will you have less work to do, but your
children will feel they helped make the party a success.
• Give at least two weeks notice of your party.
Less than two weeks and there is a chance the kids will not
be able to make it. Often times you will find yourself competing with
another child’s birthday and be stuck moving to a different date.
• If you are having entertainment, i.e.
a clown, magician, face painter, inflatable ride, etc… be sure
they are available BEFORE you schedule your party. If you schedule the
party first, the performer you want may not be available at the exact
time you need them.
• When you have an entertainer for the kids, have the entertainer arrive 15-30 minutes AFTER the scheduled starting time
because some kids arrive late. You want all of the children to participate in the
entertainment.
• To keep distractions to a minimum have a separate room for parents to
converse during the show. You should also keep pets away from the party area.
