Childrens Birthday Party - questions & ideas (merged)

pandaonmyshoulder

Seen some personalised choc bars on ebay but look to be just usual choc with laser printed wrapper. Anyone out there with any ideas for a web site for such stuff free to print off myself rather than pay someone else _party_ ??

purplepurple

Try here... it's american, but there are other links if this one isn't what you need

£Ronnie

HI Alleycat,

Congrats on getting through the first year.

Please don't get too stressed out organising this party. I did for my daughters first birthday, got into a right pickle and so much of it was unnecessary.
I spent ages organising the pass the parcel which I wrapped in specific order so each child would get something suitable, which went completely pear shaped,( I also looked like a complete control freak at the party)

I spent ages trying to plan healthy party food...so much got wasted!
Tried to plan loads of activities...more looking like a control freak.:eek:

Just remember your daughter has no idea that this day is different to any other. Even with the party she probably wont even realise that it is all about her!

DD has just celebrated her third birthday and OMG did she know it was all about her!!! So this year it really is a acknowledgement for you that the first year has passed.

So my recommendations would be these:
Put play dough out on a table/ floor so that the children have something to do when they arrive, crayons and paper may also be beneficial for the older children.

Activities, generally go with the flow, have some toys out, and let the children play as they want. By the way you describe the ages, they will not play with each other anyway just alongside each other.

Some of the older children may get bored quite easily, I am really thinking of the 9 yr old twins here. Depending on how old their personalities are they may feel too grown up for a babies party. Maybe getting them to "help " will make life a bit easier. Whether that help would be organising the food on the table, or supervising the little ones.

I would suggest a music back up.... most children love dancing whatever the age, It dosent have to be child specific music either, one of your own cd's would probably suffice, or record your daughters favs off cbeebies, eg boogie beebies, or razzledazzle. Havent yet met a child who dosent like these.

Another handy thing to have close to hand in a coupboard is a bottle of bubbles, should any squabbles start they are a great distraction, again perhaps something one of the older children can help with. NB not a great idea if you have wooden floors though!

Party food: All you have mentioned sound good, what about cherry tomatoes, marmite/jam sandwiches, breadsticks, cheese cubes??? And naturally you have to have jelly and Ice-cream.............

I am waffling on now, but I was so disappointed after my daughters first birthday, I had spent much time and effort organising it and was so stessed out making sure it went smoothly, it went pear shaped because I had it almost timetabled out. Just go with the flow, dont expect too much from her and get a bottle of wine in for after she goes too bed, you will probably need it.

mae

Someone has just posted a bargain from argos a bubble machine reduced to 4.99 I think that would go down well at a party for your 1 yr old and all the other ages would love it too???

Alleycat

Hi,

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I will definately buy that Annabel Karmel book as I am sure there will be plenty more kids parties I will be catering for in the years to come. Though will definately have jelly and icecream, it would be rude not too!

I am glad people have said not to be too rigid with party games as I was dreading it a bit being in charge and organising that sort of thing. I kind of feel a bit embarrassed at trying to get the kids to play stuff, I'm much more of a go with the flow sort of person. I will have pass the parcel and maybe musical statues(??). What if I say, right lets have some dancing and they all just look at me as if I am mad?? Eeek!! Ronnie, we watch Boogiebeebies as well! I think I might ask the parents if they could bring a cd or two that their little ones are into, then we should have a good mix of music.

I like the idea of bubbles. Jess loves hers and I reckon I will pick up a bottle per child and give them them when they get there so they can get them out when they want.

I also like the idea of playdough and have a fab recipe to make some. I was going to do bags of different colours for the kids to take home as well. The painting and bubble machine are great, but we are a tad limited for space unfortunately, living in a little through terrace. Also playing in the back yard is a no no as not only is it flipping freezing, it is the size of a postage stamp.

One last question, though any further tales or suggestions would be great (!), is do I have to do party bags?

purplepurple

I'd say if you do do party bags, then maybe just put one or two things in that they can really use rather than tonnes of little plastic things they will just stick in a drawer somewhere.... the last ones I did I put in a cd from Kids Music Shop (only a pound each and you get a free one with every order) and everyone loved it.... to be honest, once you've filled it with toys and sweets you've probably spent over a quid anyway :rolleyes:

Another good place to get stuff for goody bags is Baker Ross they're good because they sell things in packs of 12 or more and they've got loads of crafty type stuff as well as toys. We tend to give every guest a Windmill rather than a balloon.... just as cheap, but a lot less hassle!

Pooky

I did my own - look for suitable pictures and play around in a word document until you get the desired effect.

Everyone commented on the one's I'd done.

beautifulgorgeous_2

Also print a personalised folded card to seal party bags (ordinary plastic ones) and staple to close along the lines of "thank you for coming to Sarah`s party"

purplepurple

I always get pencils with "with love from xxxx" or "thankyou for coming to my party" printed on them from Studio to pop into goody bags.... they're much cheaper than anywhere else Personalised pencils £3.50 for a pkt 24 and they're something nice to keep.

silverfoxdude

Hi all

Its my son's 13th birthday on the 31st of this month. What can I do for him, he's going through the chav (yuk) stage, and doesnt have many friends so a party is out really. He doesnt like the pics really. Please help

Also I want to make a cake, any funny ideas on that one?

And lastly, as its just been Christmas, what could I get him as a present? He has al the usual

Thank you good people fo your help in advance :j