I haven't had a proper birthday party since I turned ten years old. It had a fifties theme (what can I say I was precocious and the film Mermaids was out) and I had made the very controversial decision of inviting every boy in my class. Twenty five years on I still remember the day clearly - not because it was fab (although it was) but because the whole process was so stressful. Would everyone come? Would anyone dress up? What about music? Party bags? I insisted my mother made ice crream and jelly and just before she brought it out from the kitchen Scott Spencer who was (and according to Facebook stalking still is) extremely cute announced that, 'Jelly and ice cream is for babies.' I basically had to rugby tackle my mother and a brimming bowl of sugary gelatine to the floor. Luckily my ma is very resourceful and managed to fashion a great pudding from birthday cake and ice pops but MAN was it a close one.
After that I was done with parties, it's not that I don't celebrate, just in a very small group; very often with a table for one. It didn't occur to me that I wouldn't get away with this forever - then I had a baby. One of the awesome (read: at best irritating, at worst soul destroying) things about becoming a parent is that you have to do things that you wouldn't necessarily do for yourself and for me that meant parties.
So anything that will make that process easier for me gets a big thumbs up emoji in my book and that's where Party Bags and Supplies could step in, they have everything you could want for any celebration to remember and at the end of this post you can enter a giveaway to win £30 towards your next shindig, in the meantime I hope these tips help...
Forget about peer pressure - Your child is unique and their party should be about them and not whatever Connor, whose mum always has time to starch his shirts, had at his party.
Creative doesn't have to mean crafty - No more 2AM tears over Pinterest. Something as simple as picking your son or daughter's favourite colour can make an amazing theme.
Know your audience - Kids want sugar and the freedom to scream for two hours, play to the paying customers - the other parents. Make sure there's some adult friendly snacks and the tea (or booze) is flowing, it might be the only break they get all week.
Get a gift list - I know this is a contentious subject but I haven't shaved my legs since September, I don't have time to hand pick a present every other Saturday. If you feel guilty about requesting stuff just make sure you get your kid into lego - you can never have too much lego.
Get someone else to do it - a doting aunt (Hey auntie Jo!!), a soft play centre, a teenager in need of a punishment; the outsourcing of parenting should be applauded and you can then put all that free time into planning your own birthday celebration.
For your chance to win £30 to spend at Party Bags & Supplies please enter below:
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My daughter had a fab pamper party - i love doing girly things with my daughter!
ReplyDeleteAShleigh
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ReplyDeletemy sisters 50th
ReplyDeleteMy sons leaving party to work in China.
ReplyDeleteThe best party we've had was our wedding because it was so relaxed and we had a huge barbecue and an ice cream van.
ReplyDeleteMy 30th birthday party it was a huge surprise and we had such a blast!
ReplyDeletemy 50th birthday in july x
ReplyDeleteIt was my mums 90th not many of her friends were there but a few from her past were and she loved it the delight on her face when we found an old school friend of hers and invited her she was thrilled
ReplyDeleteI once went to a mascarade ball it was amazing
ReplyDeleteKay Panayi
My son's 1st birthday was at home - we had food, kids everywhere, and cake... the best and most magical xx
ReplyDeleteOne of my birthday parties when I was young was so much fun! We had pinata's and all my best friends over. Great memories :)
ReplyDeleteThe best party I attended was my sisters wedding! we had a ball!!!
ReplyDeleteOur first Halloween party in our own home was amazing we had everyone over friends and family it was great.
ReplyDeletemy sons 7th Birthday, it took months to plan and was for 50 children
ReplyDeleteWas in 1996 at the Richard Branson staff party at his property in Oxford.
ReplyDeleteif it counts then our wedding party it certainly went crazy in the evening and included jagerbombs, mops and ushers with no tops on being ninja's
ReplyDeleteThe best party ive been to was my wedding, we had a Vegas theme with a roulette table, Blackjack table, and a chocolate fountain!! we had little scratchcards for our guests and the winner won a bottle of champagne x
ReplyDeleteThe best party ive been to was my wedding, we had a Vegas theme with a roulette table, Blackjack table, and a chocolate fountain!! we had little scratchcards for our guests and the winner won a bottle of champagne x
ReplyDeleteMy Wedding! Obviously a bit biased but it was awesome!
ReplyDeleteMy wedding - I remember every detail (well, tried not to drink too much!) xx
ReplyDeleteMy son's 5th party when he had a big party with entertainer and a bubble show. Everyone was amazed
ReplyDeletemy niece was born in the spring so her parents had seasonal activities, décor and food which was extra special for the wee guests x
ReplyDeleteMy best friend's wedding! Definitely the best party I've ever attended. I wish my wedding to be as lovely :)
ReplyDeleteUsed to love doing Halloween parties for my daughter x
ReplyDeleteMy daughter 5th Birthsay party was the best party I have throw.
ReplyDeleteThe best party I ever attended was a friend's 60th. It was held in her fabulous garden in mid summer with a lovely group of people who appreciated the occasion, the food and the company. Apart from her delicious food, everyone brought along something to eat, too, which is a lovely way to contribute.
ReplyDeleteWow amazing prize! The best party ever was in our local farm. Kids had a blast.
ReplyDeleteMy niece's first birthday party, lots of pink, cake, fun and family times!
ReplyDeleteWe had a Alice in wonderland theme party for my little girl
ReplyDeleteThe best party I've ever been to was my 21st in Las Vegas. Quite the event :) Thanks for the competition!
ReplyDeleteMy 5th birthday party organised by my mum and dad a lifetime ago.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a real proper birthday party for a really long time.I normally just goes out for a meal/similar with my friends/family.
ReplyDeletemy 16th birthday with close friends, music, pizza and a few of my older brothers friends ;)
ReplyDeleteMy best party was my leaving party before I went to work in Cyprus for 6 months.
ReplyDeleteIt was superhero themed and it was great to see all my friends dressing up and being silly (acting as kids) for one night!
christmas party with work
ReplyDeleteMy son went to a party last week and it was awesome, it was Chill Factor e near the Trafford centre, the kids had a fantastic time and the mums got to sit and drink coffee :-)
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