If you’re getting ready to begin planning your child’s next birthday party, you’re probably feeling a mix of emotions that mostly involve some sort of stress. There is the stress that comes with preparing to entertain a horde of kids for an entire afternoon (or if you’re really sadistic, you’re having a slumber party). There is the stress that comes from figuring out the guest list and sending out the invitations. And, of course, there is the stress that comes from feeling pressure to put on the perfect birthday celebration for your child. If you’re looking to lose the birthday stress but still put on a great event your child will never forget, here are a few tips.
Guest List
Keep the guest list short and sweet. You’ll find that cutting down on the number of guests dramatically reduces the stress level (and the bill). Your child will probably have just as much fun with 6 of their closest friends as they would have had if the entire 4th grade class was invited.
Choose a Theme
Choosing to throw a themed birthday party can take a lot of guess work out of the planning process. If your child loves video games, decorate the house with Mario Bros party supplies and put a couple of video games on for the kids to play. If your child is a sport fanatic, set up a few games the kids can play and have each guest come dressed as their favorite athlete.
Short and Sweet
There is no rule that says you must entertain the kids all day. Make it clear on the invitation that the party only lasts a few hours. That way you can spend time entertaining the kiddoes and still have time at the end of the day to clean up and unwind.
Menu
The great thing about throwing parties for kids, is that their taste buds haven’t exactly become sophisticated yet. You’ll be able to get by with pizza and soda, or if you’re trying to keep it healthier, sandwiches and juice. As for the cake, you can take a few minutes to prepare a delicious cake straight from the box, or put in an order for a custom cake at a grocery store or bakery.
Lisa is a guest blogger who writes about party planning and how to use coupons to save money on a Super Mario birthday party.
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