Planning an At Home Birthday Party

As the mother of three and now the grandma of seven, I look back at the birthday parties my kids had and wonder why they disappeared. Today, parties are held at the gym, bowling alley, or restaurant, where all the details are handled for parents. Granted, now a day’s moms and dads are often more likely to both be working, but even as a working mom I enjoyed planning their birthday parties, choosing the birthday party supplies, creating the goodie bags and planning the food and cake decoration.

Choosing a Party Theme:

Start with a birthday party theme. Make suggestions, but let your child express their ideas, too. Often my ideas of a Safari party or a Beach Party were met with the simplicity of the youthful mind inquiring, What is a Safari, Mommy! From here, the learning began and continued along the way. After we decided on the theme, we had to make the trip to the party store which was not always a pleasant adventure..Today you can cuddle  up next to your little one in his jammies and click through dozens of party themes together. You’ll have great fun scrolling through the dozens and dozens of party themes and helping  them make their choices.

Activities:

The week before the party we set up a production line to make the goodie bags. Even a three year old can participate, it is a great opportunity to get them involved in the party process, an excellent lesson in organization, and teaches counting. Start by counting how many of each item you need and arranging them piles.  Next, walk behind the birthday girl holding a goody bag and have her put one favor at a time into the party box or bag. When complete, put the bags away until party time.

A day before, or the morning of the party, set the tables. Once, again, let the birthday girl participate in the activity of the party! If you have balloons or centerpieces, place them on each table. A simple centerpiece can be made by wrapping a potato in tissue, twisting the top, and attaching a few balloons. Quick and easy.

Prepare an birthday party activity to keep the guests busy. Local high schools and colleges have students who face paint, do magic, or can help with simple games. This is well worth the expense. Try to make the activities match your theme and end off with quiet time before cake where you can read a story related to the theme or a personalized story about the birthday girl. Children are used to this time and will easily come to listen.

Memories:

Another thing I miss is opening the gifts. Today no one seem to do this. Perhaps, they think it takes too much time, perhaps they don’t want to hurt anyone feelings, but whatever the reason, it is just a shame. What is a party without presents?? I would love to see this tradition reinstated. I miss it!

After the party, sit down and talk to your child about the events. What she liked, what she did not like and use this as quality time to make this day a wonderful memory!

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