Common kids party planning mistakes
Ah, birthday parties! What a wonderful way to get together with friends and family to celebrate each year of your precious little one’s life. Organizing a birthday party for kids is one of the most exciting aspects of parenthood but, can also be stressful because you want it to be well-organized and memorable for the youngsters. When planned properly, it can create some of the most beautiful memories for you and your child. However organizing an amazing party your guests will remember isn’t as easy as blowing up some balloons and ordering a beautiful cake. But it’s not difficult either. If you plan properly, you can have a birthday party that your guests will remember for years to come. Still, sometimes while planning party, some mistakes are made that can end up wasting a lot of money.
At the end of everything, after you’ve made the guest list and set the date, here are some important aspects you should focus on to make the party a success and fun for all. Yourself included!
#1 11th hour party planning
The sooner you start planning, the more choices you’ll have. Besides most parents need a few weeks' notice to plan their lives, especially if their children are active ones with a number of extracurricular activities. It also gives you time to get everything together and making sure you don't end up blowing your budget on unnecessary stuff and compromising the most important aspects of the party. Develop a party plan with all the items necessary to throw a successful birthday party for your little one.
Sending out invitations too early could mean that people forget that they have to come on your party on that day and sending invitations too late could mean that most of the people have other plans for that day. A guest list will also come in handy because you can make sure you invite everyone you and your child want to have at the party and don't leave anyone out.
So when is the big day?
"Well, err... it's kind of next week? seven days from now? Is it do-able?" "Here's the thing, we only thought of having the party like, today. We were not planning for anything you see. That's why we came to you. Please help us!" "We'll send out invitations on whatsapp I think."
Well great! Planning a memorable birthday party requires proper planning and budgeting.
#2 Not enough information on the invitation?
About RSVP,
"We sent you a card in the mail, chased it down with four email reminders, but still you keep us guessing. Will you or won’t you? Can you or can’t you? Are you coming or not? It’s really not that hard. Figure it out and let me know! Preferably before the day of, when you show up with no notification."
Say you invite 50 people to the party but only a handful respond. Oh oh! there is no telling how many people are coming and therefore no telling how much food to buy how many seats to put out, how many party packs or how much cake and treats to get? We know that the majority of people will respond if you ask for them to RSVP but some won’t and you may have to call and check with them. Be sure to ask for an RSVP on your invitation and then follow-up with those you haven’t heard from.
What's the dress code?
"Mommy! Why is everyone else wearing costumes and I'm not?" "Oh great! So they tools everyone else to dress up and didn't bother to let us know? Making my child look like an outsider. How typical!"
You wouldn't want that now would you? That's why its important to include dress instructions in the invitations. But then let's face it Although princesses and pirates are great costumes, kicking a soccer ball in ballet pointes or swinging on a trapeze with an eye patch and sword are not safe combinations. Tell children what to expect, and suggest a practical dress code to suit your party theme.
#3 Venue
If you have decided to organize the party outside your home, don’t think that you can book the venue a week ahead of your party. The truth is that most venues tend to book up very quickly so it's important to book the venue well ahead of the date of the party.
Where you have a kids party needs careful consideration because some spots carry more potential for danger to the children’s safety. Youngsters can be easily watched in enclosed venues, so there is less likelihood of injury or accidents. Also ensure that more than one adult is supervising the party.
Safety of children is one of the most important things you should take care while planning party for your child. Store your delicate accessories in a safe place during the party. Make sure that all the power outlets are covered to prevent any major accident. It's also important to ask all the parents if their children are suffering from any allergies and avoid those food items that could provoke these allergies in kids.
#4 No budget for what?
Planning a party without a budget?
The first and most important step of planning a kids party I would say is setting a clear budget. Write down what you need, multiply this by the number of children you plan to invite. As you develop your budget, you will realise that you will end up having a shopping list as well. This will guide you when you do your shopping and help to avoid all those unnecessary items in your shopping cart.
"Oh great! How did I end up with so much stuff? I don't even need these extra hanging thing. I must say they look pretty though." "What? I didn't buy any drinks? I don't have enough money left and I still have to pay for the cake! Shoot! Can't we just make Oros instead? Yeah, it will have to do!"
There is a saying that "poor planning produces poor performance" and that "proper planning prevents poor performance". At the end of the day, the most important thing to your child is having fun with friends and receiving presents. A beautiful setting makes it even more special but you need to balance everything so that nothing is left out. This keeping in mind that you don't have to blow up you bank account to make it a success.
#5 Not enough food or wrong food choices
This is the biggest challenge of party planning. Food is usually the focus of any party because it brings everyone together to mingle and enjoy the spread. One mistake parents often make is to get food just for children, leaving adults out. Parents and other adults don’t always just drop children off but may stay around. So consider having a proportion of food that caters to adults.
Keep youngsters in mind while preparing your food or talking with a caterer. Consider food that’s easy to eat and creates less mess such as finger foods, bite-sized sweet treats and light snacks. Also consider limiting things like nuts and fish in you menu as most kids are allergic to these. It is best to ask parents if their kids have any allergies so that you are able to accommodate them as well.
For adults, look for appealing foods such as non-sweet treats, savory hors d'oeuvres, canapés or healthy snacks.
Of course go for the birthday cake, but maybe consider sending the additional candy or sugary treats home as the party favor. There’s nothing quite more terrifying than a group of kids crashing from a sugar overdose.
#6 Rain, hail or shine?
You know the saying “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”?
This goes for not only the weather but activities too! Have a go to location for rain. If you don’t have a contingency plan for a rainy weather your party could be ruined. Let’s say it rains the day of your outside party, what do you do? Is there room inside to accommodate everyone? Have you ordered a tent so that if it does rain the party can go on? No one can guaranty the weather so be sure to have plan B in place when it comes to the party location.
Rescheduling the party because of inclement weather would be a huge disappointment for your child and guests (not to mention more work for you). As they say in show business,
“The party must go on!”
#7 Oops! Too many guest?
Invited too many kids? Or excluded one or two kids from the group. Need we say more?
Also remember to be clear about whether or not you are allowing guests to bring siblings. Also of your expectations on whether it's a drop off party or parents are allowed to stay. For smaller kids, it's always best to let parents stick around and help watch their kids.
#8 Lack of clear start and finish time
Setting a start time buffer zone, where children can meet up, play casual games or activities, give gifts allows for latecomers to arrive prior to the main party activity. Normally 20 to 45 minutes is enough. It is also wise to specify a pick up or home time in the invitation to allow parents to record this so they can plan a complete day, which may include sporting commitments or another party.
Kids birthday parties have a sweet spot. This is that perfect amount of time where kids are all happy, energized and still getting along.You need to plan your party time based on the activities for the day and be clear to your guests’ parents when to pick them up or if you would like them to stay for the events. Make sure that the party isn’t too long that the kids get restless or bored and not too short that they don’t get to enjoy the company and partake in activities.
#9 Theme
"And what should I dress Danny like? It's a Fairy princess theme and the dress code is tutus and fairy wings! I guess Spiderman isn't invited!"
Many parents make a mistake of picking gender-focused themes such as Hello Kitty, Batman, Spiderman, Disney Barbie or Disney Princess for a party that boys and girls are invited to. Consider a neutral theme – such as Mickey Mouse, vintage circus or Pirates and Princesses – to include everyone.
Remember, party games should cater for girls and boys so that they’re all engaged and entertained. Make sure that intervals between games are brief to keep the rhythm flowing and energy levels up. The kids will also need to be entertained while waiting for the party to start. You may consider showing a movie or creating a play area with toys for all.
#10 Not asking for help
Trying to plan and coordinate the entire party by yourself?
"Of course I can do everything yourself - I could also bake a cake standing on my head if I really wanted to."
But that would just be silly!
Kid parties can be overwhelming. Ask for an extra hand from a close friend, neighbor or family member to help coordinate activities and party games. Then you will have a time to visit with your guests and enjoy the party too. Recruit enough help before the party so that you have a chance to relax and enjoy your child’s special day with them. Older siblings can also come in and coordinate some of the games. This will make them feel like a part of the event.
Be mindful
The success of a kid's party depends on a number of factors and meticulous planning is one of them and it makes sure that often overlooked areas are addressed. While the party is meant to celebrate your child's birthday, the needs of all guests must be considered. After all, there is no party without guests.
As much as possible, relax and enjoy this special time with your child. And consider how a party check list can help.
