There is a lot of factors to take into consideration as you get ready to plan a birthday party at home. It takes a lot of pre-planning to ensure everything is in place and well structured to create a successful outcome.
If you are the only person bearing the responsibility and workload for an birthday party, it can be overwhelming especially if this is your first time. However, there are certain guidelines to follow to make things flow with ease and eliminate stress at the same time.
Below are steps needed and a potential time frame to consider proceeding with planning a birthday party at home .
Once you have a completed lists of all the purchases, then you must re-calculate and check you are working towards an achievable target. You may need to find alternative suggestions to fit the budget in mind. Budgets constantly change as unforeseeable expenses come up and also cost-saving opportunities present themselves. So by viewing the budget within a reasonable range, you will always remain on track.
Your Birthday party should have a set date you can aim to have everything ready from the sending of invitations to deliveries and purchases. If you know how long you have to organize each aspect of the event, then you can create a schedule according to this time frame.
Below are detailed tips on planning an elaborate birthday party:-
A. Discuss with your child what kind of party he or she wants.
Super man Party? Or A celebration of all things Barbie!?? Let your child help out in the picking process, the theme chosen will help narrow down decoration and activity choices for the birthday party.
B. Decide whom to invite.
Do you need to ask the entire class, or does your child just want his five closest friends? The type of party may dictate how many kids you can host and ultimately fit into your budget.
The earlier the better—it’s no fun telling your child that the mermaid or party clown she has her heart set on is already booked by someone else. Ask for references & reviews of people who have used the entertainers recently and check up. Be sure to ask if there are any setup requirements.
D. Before setting a date, check with essential guests to make sure they’re available.
Your child won’t be happy if his best friend or invited guests will have another birthday party on the same day, or be out of town.
E. Send invitations.
Make written invitations creative and in correlation with the party theme. specify whether parents are invited to stay ( it is advisable to permit parents of toddler‘s for enhanced supervision.) Do not forget to include an R.S.V.P and also state the start & end time for the birthday party.
In your proposed schedule ,plan to include two to three hours with a mix of energetic games and calmer activities (like crafts, painting or storytelling). You also need to factor in time for entertainment, snacks, and general freewheeling ruckus. If the presents will be opened, save that for the end (if you start running out of time, you can skip it).
NOTE: (Keep in mind potential change in weather conditions and as such an outdoor party may become an indoor party in case of rain, so have an alternate plan just in case.)
G. Make a master list of supplies you will need.
Make sure you have the following covered, and note if you need to buy or borrow anything. Check online party ware sources which can come in handy to save time.
Possible Supplies you may need:
Stick to the rule of keeping it simple. Opt for Pizza, sandwiches etc. things kids like are super easy and sure to please. If you like, plan a few special treats (like a cocktail) for parents. Make a list of how far in advance each dish can be prepared.
J. Make a grocery list and line up any extra help you may need.
You can go about this by enlisting friends, older children, other relatives, or parents of party guests to help with crowd control & supervise activities. Consider hiring a high school student, your babysitter, or a professional to help with pre- or post-party cleaning or to help supervise games, replenish food, and take some weight off your shoulders.
K. Clean the house thoroughly.
This way, you’ll need only a quick brush over before the party, for an outdoor party, do any major yard cleanup or planting.
L.Follow up on RSVP response to get a final count.
M.Develop a detailed cooking schedule, make any foods that can be frozen.
Here are Delicious Food Ideas for Birthday Party.
N.Order the cake and balloons (If you are making it from scratch, bake the layers and freeze them (you’ll ice it the day before the party).
O. Check your list of needed supplies and procure any missing items.
Make space in a hall closet and fill it with presentable hangers or designate a bed for coats (and make sure the room’s free of breakables).
Q. Go grocery shopping and do a safety run-through of the house and yard.
This is to ensure danger areas & hotspots ike stairs and upper-floor windows (and pools) are safeguarded, double check that any chemicals are locked away, and check for sharp-edged corners on furniture that might be dangerous.
R. Prepare the cameras.
Charge video and digital cameras. Stock up on extra film or memory cards.
S. Prepare goody bags.
Organize the furniture and set up dining/gift tables and activity stations. If you find you’re missing anything (pencils for games, etc.), you have time to run out and get it.
U. Decorate! (Do everything that doesn’t involve balloons and ribbons.)
V. Finish as much cooking you can.
This includes defrosting and icing the cake if you froze one. Also, for any foods that require cooking on party day, do as much prep (dicing, marinating, rinsing, refrigeration etc) as possible.
W. Do a touch-up cleaning & sweep through the house.
X. If opening presents is on the agenda, practice polite “thank you’s” with your child.
As well as finish up any last minute cooking and food preparation. Afterwards, display the food to be served (one to two hours before guests arrive, set out foods that won’t spoil. Wrap them tightly to ensure freshness; tear off the wrap when the first doorbell rings.)
Z. Give out tasks to parents who are staying back to oversee.
They can help with game time or craft supervision, so you’re free to run the show and keep the kids from running amok.
If you are the only person bearing the responsibility and workload for an birthday party, it can be overwhelming especially if this is your first time. However, there are certain guidelines to follow to make things flow with ease and eliminate stress at the same time.
Below are steps needed and a potential time frame to consider proceeding with planning a birthday party at home .
THREE MONTHS PRIOR PLAN FOR BIRTHDAY PARTY
1. CONCEPTUALIZE & BUDGETING:-
Whilst planning a birthday party at home, you need to have in mind an appropriate overall figure that will cater for all the components necessary to make this event work, and this is achieved with an estimated budget which will be your item to experiment with.Once you have a completed lists of all the purchases, then you must re-calculate and check you are working towards an achievable target. You may need to find alternative suggestions to fit the budget in mind. Budgets constantly change as unforeseeable expenses come up and also cost-saving opportunities present themselves. So by viewing the budget within a reasonable range, you will always remain on track.
TWO MONTHS BEFORE BIRTHDAY PARTY
2. BIRTHDAY SCHEDULING & DATE:-Your Birthday party should have a set date you can aim to have everything ready from the sending of invitations to deliveries and purchases. If you know how long you have to organize each aspect of the event, then you can create a schedule according to this time frame.
Below are detailed tips on planning an elaborate birthday party:-
A. Discuss with your child what kind of party he or she wants.
Super man Party? Or A celebration of all things Barbie!?? Let your child help out in the picking process, the theme chosen will help narrow down decoration and activity choices for the birthday party.
B. Decide whom to invite.
Do you need to ask the entire class, or does your child just want his five closest friends? The type of party may dictate how many kids you can host and ultimately fit into your budget.
THREE WEEKS BEFORE BIRTHDAY PARTY:
C. Line up any entertainment you may want or need.The earlier the better—it’s no fun telling your child that the mermaid or party clown she has her heart set on is already booked by someone else. Ask for references & reviews of people who have used the entertainers recently and check up. Be sure to ask if there are any setup requirements.
D. Before setting a date, check with essential guests to make sure they’re available.
Your child won’t be happy if his best friend or invited guests will have another birthday party on the same day, or be out of town.
E. Send invitations.
Make written invitations creative and in correlation with the party theme. specify whether parents are invited to stay ( it is advisable to permit parents of toddler‘s for enhanced supervision.) Do not forget to include an R.S.V.P and also state the start & end time for the birthday party.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE BIRTHDAY PARTY
F. Make a schedule of activities for the party.In your proposed schedule ,plan to include two to three hours with a mix of energetic games and calmer activities (like crafts, painting or storytelling). You also need to factor in time for entertainment, snacks, and general freewheeling ruckus. If the presents will be opened, save that for the end (if you start running out of time, you can skip it).
NOTE: (Keep in mind potential change in weather conditions and as such an outdoor party may become an indoor party in case of rain, so have an alternate plan just in case.)
G. Make a master list of supplies you will need.
Make sure you have the following covered, and note if you need to buy or borrow anything. Check online party ware sources which can come in handy to save time.
Possible Supplies you may need:
- game and craft essentials
- music
- sports equipment
- portable tables to hold food and presents
- coolers and serving dishes
- tablecloths, plates, cups, and utensils
ONE WEEK BEFORE BIRTHDAY PARTY
I. Menu Planning & Organization.Stick to the rule of keeping it simple. Opt for Pizza, sandwiches etc. things kids like are super easy and sure to please. If you like, plan a few special treats (like a cocktail) for parents. Make a list of how far in advance each dish can be prepared.
J. Make a grocery list and line up any extra help you may need.
You can go about this by enlisting friends, older children, other relatives, or parents of party guests to help with crowd control & supervise activities. Consider hiring a high school student, your babysitter, or a professional to help with pre- or post-party cleaning or to help supervise games, replenish food, and take some weight off your shoulders.
K. Clean the house thoroughly.
This way, you’ll need only a quick brush over before the party, for an outdoor party, do any major yard cleanup or planting.
L.Follow up on RSVP response to get a final count.
M.Develop a detailed cooking schedule, make any foods that can be frozen.
Here are Delicious Food Ideas for Birthday Party.
N.Order the cake and balloons (If you are making it from scratch, bake the layers and freeze them (you’ll ice it the day before the party).
O. Check your list of needed supplies and procure any missing items.
THREE DAYS BEFORE BIRTHDAY PARTY
P. Find a place for coats and hats.Make space in a hall closet and fill it with presentable hangers or designate a bed for coats (and make sure the room’s free of breakables).
Q. Go grocery shopping and do a safety run-through of the house and yard.
This is to ensure danger areas & hotspots ike stairs and upper-floor windows (and pools) are safeguarded, double check that any chemicals are locked away, and check for sharp-edged corners on furniture that might be dangerous.
R. Prepare the cameras.
Charge video and digital cameras. Stock up on extra film or memory cards.
S. Prepare goody bags.
ONE DAY BEFORE BIRTHDAY PARTY
T. For an outdoor birthday party, mow the lawn and tidy up the yard.Organize the furniture and set up dining/gift tables and activity stations. If you find you’re missing anything (pencils for games, etc.), you have time to run out and get it.
U. Decorate! (Do everything that doesn’t involve balloons and ribbons.)
V. Finish as much cooking you can.
This includes defrosting and icing the cake if you froze one. Also, for any foods that require cooking on party day, do as much prep (dicing, marinating, rinsing, refrigeration etc) as possible.
W. Do a touch-up cleaning & sweep through the house.
X. If opening presents is on the agenda, practice polite “thank you’s” with your child.
DAY OF THE PARTY
Y. Pick up cakes and balloons if ordered.As well as finish up any last minute cooking and food preparation. Afterwards, display the food to be served (one to two hours before guests arrive, set out foods that won’t spoil. Wrap them tightly to ensure freshness; tear off the wrap when the first doorbell rings.)
Z. Give out tasks to parents who are staying back to oversee.
They can help with game time or craft supervision, so you’re free to run the show and keep the kids from running amok.
*FOR THE REAL DEAL
- Serve the cake(after it has been cut by the celebrant) and ice cream.The birthday child gets the first slice of cake!
- Make a list of gifts and who gave them.
- Send everyone off with party favors (Your child should assist with handing them out and say thank you at the same time.)