Throwing a kid’s birthday party can easily result in unanticipated overspending and stress. Oftentimes the anticipation of excitement for the party is overshadowed by to-do lists and anxiety. It’s time to take control and stop feeling overwhelmed.
The Basics
You can drive yourself crazy with the most detailed plans for the impending party, or you can just keep it simple without skimping on the fun. A few things to keep in mind: be practical, provide entertainment, feed your guests and have fun.
Practical Approach
Don’t worry about trying to keep up with the Joneses, handmade decorations and a fully coordinating theme is unnecessary. The fact that you’re having a party, your child and guests will be excited. They won’t care if the cups match the plates. Chances are, they probably wouldn't even notice anyway.
Entertainment
A busy party is a fun party, entertain your guests! Have entertainment that both kids and adults will enjoy. Bounce castles are a fun choice because kids can have a blast and work off the sugar-induced hyperactivity and give the adults time to chat and mingle.
Other forms of entertainment that are a big hit at children’s parties are face painters and balloon twisters. What can be more fun than wearing proof of what a great time you had painted on your cheek? Add to that carrying home a flower or animal made especially for your guests and you’ll be so glad you typed “twisters near me” into that internet search.
Food
Deciding what kind of food you are going to serve can be a nightmare if you let it. It’s easy to overthink and overspend trying to decide on catering or what type of menu you’re going to whip up at home. Remember, anything you make yourself will require you to spend the day before and the morning of the party cooking.
Instead of getting stressed out over serving the perfect spread, consider doing a self-serve buffet of sorts. Keeping it simple like a taco or hot dog bar is fairly effortless, economical and easy to prepare.
Consider having either a cupcake pull-apart cake or just cupcakes. There are no hard and fast rules about having to overspend on a specialty cake. There is also nothing saying your party favors have to be toys and puzzles. Cookies, either homemade or store-bought, depending on your ambition, make a perfectly delightful takeaway gift. Put them in a cello bag, tie with a colorful curling ribbon and you have an adorable party favor.
Fun for All
The best part of a children’s party, for adults, is having time away from the kids and enjoying the company of other adults. By making sure you have adequate entertainment for your young guests, the adults can do just that. You may even consider having a limited amount of cocktails, beer or wine.
Away from the children's menu offerings, have a small spread for the adults. Simple, inexpensive and still more sophisticated than hot dogs or tacos, a tray of sliders or a nice charcuterie board can be the perfect touch.
Some adults feel more comfortable when they’re able to help out. Instead of being caught off guard should one of your guests ask, prepare a list of things that would be helpful in advance. From restocking ice to helping trash make its way into a garbage bag, when hosting a party, there are countless things you can delegate to others.
Don’t let throwing your next kid’s party stress you out; you can’t go wrong if you keep it simple and fun.
