| Planning a birthday party for a child can be as fun, | | | | invite your child’s entire class, NEVER have |
| or as daunting, as you like. From the invites, to | | | | your child hand out invites at school. In fact, many |
| the gifts and games, to the goodie bags and | | | | schools and preschools have rules to this effect. If |
| thank-you cards, there are many details that | | | | you are inviting an entire class, always be sure to |
| need to be taken care of. Here are a few tips to | | | | get an accurate class list to ensure everyone |
| keep things in perspective: | | | | gets invited to the party. |
| 1) The birthday party is about your child and his | | | | As soon as the invites are handed out, start |
| or her friends having fun, not the work that goes | | | | talking to your child about the party and how |
| into the party. The major objective of a birthday | | | | they should and should not act in certain |
| party is to make your child feel special. After all, it | | | | circumstances. For example, if you child receives |
| is their special day. When the kids leave happy | | | | a gift that they already have, they can tell their |
| and excited, do you really think they’re going | | | | friends how excited they are to have two! Try to |
| to go home to their parents and rave about how | | | | keep a list of all presents and have your child |
| tidy your house was, or how perfectly-executed | | | | assist in writing personal thank-yous to all who |
| the game of ‘pin the tail on the donkey’ | | | | were at the party. Even if you don’t keep a |
| was? | | | | gift list, thank-yous are a must to ensure goodwill. |
| Sit down with your child well before the birthday | | | | 4) Have plenty of activities on-hand. One of the |
| party and work out what kind of party they | | | | single most effective ways to ruin a birthday |
| want. Do they want a pirate party? A princess | | | | party is with bored children. You have to keep all |
| party? A tea party? For party theme ideas log on | | | | children occupied from the moment they arrive at |
| to You may be pleasantly surprised at how simple | | | | the party. When kids start trickling in, have some |
| your child’s request may be. Regardless, a | | | | toys, such as blocks, cars, etc., at the ready. |
| simple theme can make all the difference. | | | | Once all the children have arrived at the birthday |
| 2) Never work alone. Managing cake, presents, | | | | party, then you can bring out the birthday party |
| activities, potty breaks, and more at a child’s | | | | themes and games. Always be sure to have |
| birthday party can leave you stressed and can | | | | enough to keep every kid participating and happy. |
| open the door to accidents. Chances are | | | | If things start to get rowdy or out-of-hand, take |
| there’s at least one parent who’s | | | | a step back from the game and announce a |
| nervous about their child being alone at a birthday | | | | story time where kids can be the characters. For |
| party. Invite that parent over and let them help. | | | | younger kids, a simple craft will often scale back |
| Ask them to assist with games, pouring drink and | | | | the wildness and give a much-needed breather to |
| take care of any unforeseen boo-boos. Be sure | | | | parents. |
| to send a nice thank you after the party to show | | | | Keeping these four simple tips in mind can make |
| how much you appreciate the help and even | | | | the difference between an average birthday |
| offer to do the reciprocate at the helpful | | | | party and one that kids will talk about for a long |
| parent’s party as well. | | | | time. |
| 3) Mind you manners. If you aren’t going to | | | | |