The birthday celebrant

Once upon a time, you sat on a small chair tied decorated balloons while chomping on a corndog slathered with mustard and ketchup. You fumbled for minutes on end, wondering how long you’d have to wait to be blindfolded. You wanted so much to get that bag of goodies as a prize. If only you had X-ray vision, you’d have known where to pin the donkey’s tail.

Now it’s funny to find yourself wondering how much a Pinata costs and worrying if all those falling goodies would hurt any of your kid’s guests. If only shelling out money for a venue’s reservation fee was as easy as pinning the donkey’s tail or eating a corndog. If only the preparations were as easy as playing Twist or Musical Chairs or Statue Dance.

Alright, stop fretting and just get to work. Before you plan or purchase anything, check out our own list of top ten ways to make your child’s party a hit.

10. Stick to finger food.

Beef Kebab

Forget about whipping up a big bowl of salad or pasta. You and your guests are better off with finger foods like cheese, chips, sandwiches, pretzels and kebabs. Besides making food preparation easy for you, it becomes easier for the children to help themselves to what you have to offer. Adults also have an easier time feeding their little ones with simple food.

9. Set a theme for the party.

Fairy Party Theme

Besides being the fad these days, a theme makes it easier for you to decide on the design of your party decorations, invitations, party hats, thank you cards and posters. If your kid is like most other birthday celebrators, they would likely prefer a theme based on characters from their favorite programs. From Rugrats and Powerpuff Girls, to Blue’s Clues and Jimmy Neutron, their choices are endless in this area.

8. Include an R.S.V.P. in the invitation.

Invitation with an RSVP

Any party planner will tell you to never forget this step. Imagine preparing food and party supplies for 70 people only greet and celebrate with only a dozen people. Besides being frustrating, this is an ultimate way of wasting your money and time.

So include an R.S.V.P. in your invitation. It’s pretty simple. You just have to include a deadline for your guests to confirm whether they’re coming to the party or not. A month or a few weeks before the party should be enough for you. Just remember to base it on the preparations and whatever reservations you have to do before the day itself.

7. Keep the venue simple.

Celebrating his Birthday

Have you attended a kid’s party in an amusement park? Perhaps you’ve seen one at a beach or recreational center. You could always choose to have your kid’s party outside your home. However, if you have a tight budget and not a lot of time on your hands, it would best to keep the venue simple. Celebrating the party at home may just be what you need to slash your expenses.

No matter how boring your home may be, you could always jazz it up to fit the occasion. Remember, that’s what party decorations are for. Also, don’t forget to play some music to create a festive atmosphere.

6. Set a budget for everything.

A mother budgeting a party

This is a given, but a lot of parents are guilty of skipping this essential step and just paying for party expenses as they come. Before they know it, they’re facing a hundred-dollar bill for something that they don’t even remember ordering.

Save yourself from the financial headache by setting a budget for every little thing you need for the celebration. Of course, you should also allot an allowance for any other inevitable expense you have to incur along the way.

5. Keep the kids busy.

The kids ready for the games

Having a party with kids can be chaotic at times, especially if almost everyone gets excited, bored or cranky. If you’re faced with a bunch of kids all restless at your child’s party, be wary, be very wary. Your party could instantly turn into disaster unless you have games to entertain your little guests.

The rule of thumb in any kid’s party is keeping the little ones busy. You should be prepared with games and any activity that keeps the guests’ attention. If you only have time for five games, then be prepared with three or four extra games in case some games don’t work out or run shorter than expected.

4. Get help from an expert.

The expert in kitchen

We know what you’re thinking: The additional expenses! Yes, hiring a pro in the party business sure can be costly, but it can be bang for the buck once you find that they save you from the hassle of spending hours on end just putting up the decorations or perfecting that birthday cake. They allow you to attend more to other details of the party plus they get to be with you on the day of the party. This way, you get to enjoy the party with your little Anne, rather than worrying if there are enough sandwiches for everyone or wondering if the party favors are all ready.

Now if you don’t have the extra money, don’t force it. You could always get help from your closest friends and relatives. The key here is in multiplying yourself so that you don’t shoulder all the work and end up missing out on the quality time you could spend with your birthday boy or girl.

3. Invite only your closest friends.

With family and friends

There’s no sense in inviting hundreds of guests to your child’s party. Alright, if you’re the president’s wife, it would be acceptable, but we bet even celebrities’ kids enjoy their own birthday better if they celebrate it with their closest friends, rather than a bunch of balding adults in neckties or polo shirts.

One great tip experts say about inviting guests is basing your number of guests on your kid’s age. Let’s say little Michael is seven, you could invite seven guests for the party. It’s simple, easy and, no doubt, more affordable.

2. Get help from guests.

Blowing the balloon

You only have five minutes before little Bridget’s party and you have yet to put up the decorations. For some weird reason, your guests decide to be early birds and are already coming in. You freeze in horror, wondering how you could get away with setting up everything while they’re already there.

So you had the party people set up your decorations last year? Why not try something different this year? Let your guests do the work by letting them blow up some of the balloons. Instead of printing a poster for the occasion, let the little guests design it by finger painting their way on a giant cardboard sign. While they’re at it, let them get some face paint from the adults so the can better enjoy helping you out with the decorations.

1. Involve your child in your party planning.

Making plans for the party

So everything’s ready for the party. The clowns are on their way and the pink and green balloons have been tied to the chairs next to the table holding the three-tiered cake with the Power Rangers toppers. The long table is filled with every sumptuous finger food any child could dream of sinking their teeth into: there is hotdogs, tacos, barbecued chicken, clubhouse sandwiches and bread sticks. You look around your yard a second time and tell yourself everything is just perfect.

If only you knew your little Louie hates clowns and the colors pink and green. Yes, the Power Rangers are popular, but he has yet to see a single episode of it. If only you knew your little darling. If only you involved them in your party planning.

From choosing the party theme down to designing the party favors, you should get your child involved. Even some parents let their one-year old choose a color for their out-fit. Put yourself in your child’s shoes.

If all the planning for your kid’s party is getting to you, just remember that your little darling has only one birthday celebration every year. It couldn’t possibly be perfect but going the extra mile can turn it into a more fun and unforgettable event.