Birthdays

Hosting a Party for Your Child...
is an exciting, rewarding experience for most parents. It is something your child will probably remember forever. You want it to be perfect.
So do we.

Children's parties are an important part of our business. Over the years, we have sold countless millions of party goods for children's parties. Because of this, we've learned a great deal about children's parties, and we believe we understand your needs.

We want to help you plan a happy, memorable event, and we believe we can offer you a tip or two about how to ensure the success of your next party.

Rule One
Get help from family and friends. You don't have to do it all yourself. Everyone has a network of people who will cheerfully pitch in to help create a fun affair.

Rule Two
Focus on advance planning and give it your all. Putting positive energy into the event will help ensure its success.

Rule Three
You don't need to spend a fortune to make your child's party successful.

Select the date and time
Decide whether to make it a daytime or early evening affair, and be sure to consider school hours, weather conditions, holidays and vacation time when finalizing the date.

Pick the location
Hosting a party at home may take more space than you had planned and may be more work, but costs are lower. Outside venues such as sports or activity centers, parks, theaters, and restaurants often provide packages that include everything but the gift, but they can be expensive and lack the personal touch.

Choose a party theme
Children of every age have their favorite interests or characters, and you can develop an entire theme around one of them, such as sports, Barbie, Barney, Rug Rats or Arthur.

Purchase Invitations
You can purchase invitations and include pertinent information on them such as directions to less obvious party locations and any special instructions such as bathing suits and towels for pool parties, or rain gear in case of a weather change for outdoor events.

Develop the guest list
Let your child be the guide. Some children want their entire class from school. Others prefer a smaller group of friends. For very young children, invite their parents and be sure to have food for them, too.

Plan the menu
There is a growing trend toward healthy fare for children, and it can be delicious. But fun food is fine, and the traditional cake and ice cream is a must!

Decide on entertainment
Interactive games with prizes are always popular. If you decide to hire professional entertainment, get references. Be sure to have a written contract for the performance that includes payment costs and requirements.

Make a detailed “to do” list
Last but not least, you need to organize your party. Write down those items you want to buy, along with timelines, and check off items as the party planning progresses.

Have a great time!

Survival Tips
Some parents become almost overwhelmed when planning a party, and their stress is unfairly passed along to the child. Children deserve the opportunity to have fun – as do their parents. Here are some tips to help you survive children's parties.

Set a ceiling on cost for gifts, no more than $20 per gift. Encourage parents to buy gifts the child wants rather than what his or her parents want for the child. Select a party theme that really matters to the child and his or her interests.

Consider a menu of fun, healthy foods – except when it comes to cake and ice cream!

Be prepared for small emergencies. A parent may call and ask if another sibling can come along. Your child's best friend may have a fever and be unable to attend. The power may go out and the ice cream melts before you serve it. Take these minor crisis in stride...and with a smile.

Supplies Checklist

Invitations
Postage stamps
Groceries
Birthday cake and ice cream
Birthday candles
Paper goods (i.e., tablecloths, paper plates, napkins, cups, forks, knifes and spoons)
Theme centerpieces to follow theme decor
Party favors
Games
Balloons and helium
Costumes
Streamers
Confetti
Party music
Cake toppers
Giftwrap, bows and ribbons
Banners/lawn sign
Candy
Piñatas
Goody bags filled with fun items
Thank-you notes
Gift for your child!