If you are planning a birthday party, some of your best colleagues are other moms. They know what works and what does not work, not just theoretically or practically. They have seen it, done it, watched it and cleaned up after it. Turn to your greatest advocates in the field when planning a party. They will not let you down.
Locals
Moms around you possess some of the best information you will need when you start investigating birthday party options. If you are thinking about using a local event site, such as a park or an arcade, other moms can tell you specifics about their own experiences. They can give you details about the staff, cleanliness, timeliness and overall quality of a specific location with a candor that a brochure or online review won’t provide.
Etiquette
Birthday parties can be a little sticky. They generally require that you give small favors to everyone who attends. They call for guests to bring your son or daughter a gift. Birthday parties also mean a guest list full of kids will be your responsibility for a few hours. Talk with fellow moms to find out how to handle these stresses. They can let you know how handle favors and gifts and how to request other parents’ attendance at the party.
Independence
Kids love to be in charge. A Family Fun article on birthday party planning cites a family tradition of the Frickes, a family who gives the kids a lot of control on their birthdays. In this case, the kids get a budget and nearly full rein of the birthday party planning. Your friends and colleagues can let you know which elements of the birthday party are best left under your control and which ones can be handed over.
Budget
Birthday parties are a source of pride and status. Your child will want his party to be as fun and impressive as his friends’ parties, if not more. Talking with other moms can help you all get on the same page for planning. If you all get an idea of how much you normally spend, you can ensure that everyone will be happy–both parents and kids.
Food
If you are trying to match your theme to your meals, fellow moms can breathe new creativity into your menu. More importantly, they can share their success stories with you. It is pointless to create a beautiful menu if all the kids are going to turn their noses up at it. Chat with other moms to learn what will and what won’t work on your table.
Photo Credit
- it’s birthday (8) party time 1 image by mdb from Fotolia.com
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