Remember child birthdays? You decorated the basement with streamers, ate gooey cake, and glanced at the donkey’s tail. Why not forego this year’s expensive off-site party and have fun at home? There are so many things to do on your birthday.
Disseminate
Skip prefab invitations and use glue instead. Expert says kids love homemade invites. Blank cards can be decorated with stickers, foil paper, and theme-related trinkets. Print a computer invitation.
Two weeks before the event, notify guests about birthday places in San Antonio. If you’re not inviting the whole class, mail, email, or drop off invitations. Consider paying high school students to run games and distribute snacks.
Calculate
Remember the “child’s age = guests” rule? Expert advises having enough youngsters to play games and sit down. For pre-schoolers, invite 8-10. If your space is tiny, some parents will stay with their children. Many school-aged youngsters invite all of their classmates to their birthday in San Antonio, says Expert. The expert recommends 8-12 guests.
Well-Timed
Experts advocate a weekend birthday party for teenage. Summer or Christmas baby? Expert proposes celebrating with family on the birthday and with friends a month later. A 2 1/2-hour party is ideal. The expert thinks too-long parties are parents’ worst error. “The third hour is dangerous and the fourth is absurd – everyone’s exhausted.” 10 to noon or 11 to 1 is good for pre-schoolers (when they’re fresh). Expert suggests preparing in the morning and hosting an afternoon or evening event for older youngsters.
Space-Out
Expert claims basements create an atmosphere. Cover window sills with tulle and sparkling lights. Craft, surplus, and hardware stores sell after-Christmas lights. Twisted streamers create waves for an under-the-sea celebration.
Deflate
Expert proposes using a bike pump to inflate balloons. Buy balloons on the day of the celebration to keep them aloft. Beware balloon-bursting pot lights! Display balloons creatively. Expert ties helium balloons to elegant shoes for Princess Parties. Swishy!
Do Something
Expert says avoid activity gaps. “Then kids cry and rush upstairs.” Since youngsters stream in, give basic opening activities:
Ages 3-5
Playdough or cornstarch goop can help. Encourage youngsters to play with ride-on toys, bubbles, musical instruments, and puppets.
Ages 6-8
Expert proposes three themed quiet activity stations. In her Secret Garden events, youngsters decorate “wings” and get their cheeks painted.
Surprises
Unusual sweets will impress. Rent a $50 chocolate fountain from a party retailer. Lay a plastic tablecloth and give everyone an apron. Buy a $5 fondue set. Dip mini marshmallows, fruit, and animal crackers. Or use a hollowed-out pineapple to display gummi worms, gumdrops, and chewy candy.
Dessert
Expert proposes ordering a grocery store uniced cake to save time. “Be creative” like Beach bash, blue icing, brown sugar for sand, and little umbrellas. Kids love ice cream cakes or store-bought psychedelic cakes.
Gifting
Don’t skip gift-giving. “Older kids feel ripped off,” adds Expert. Spin the bottle to unroll it faster. When the bottle stops, unwrap the child’s present.
Goody Bags
Ages 3-5
Don’t provide a bag of small items. Try chalk, bubbles, a hula hoop, or a huge ball.
Ages 6-8
This age loves sweets, says Expert. Dollar stores have themed chocolates, hair clips, bracelets, and action figurines. Painted birdhouses or pottery make fantastic party favors.