Hey mom, do you still stress out about hosting the “perfect” party for your child year after year? The internet and social media are full of spectacular party themes, ideas, and events with a 5-figure price tag, but I’m here to give you permission to stop trying to keep up!
I know it seems hard to do, but if I can convince just a few of you to take it easy on your selves, then I have succeeded. What I want to encourage you to do instead, is focus on a few key factors that will make your party memorable and special, but not make you crazy in the process.
When I think of decorating and creating my kids parties I look at 5 specific points: cake, activity, a decorative focal point, food, and personalization.
Cake
I truly believe that kids only want 3 things for their birthday: cake, to play with their friends, and yes, presents. That’s why “cake” is at the top of my list, and I put that in quotes because sometimes it’s fun to make “cake” out of cookies, or pancakes, or donuts or cupcakes!
Depending on the time of day, any of these sweet treats can be stacked and decorated to resemble a cake.
In addition, classic cakes can be decorated in a multitude of ways, even if you start with a Betty Crocker cake mix. If you prefer to make it a showstopping centerpiece, you can hire a specialty cake decorator to make it.
Activity
So many parents and party planners have every minute of a child’s party accounted for with activities. I don’t necessarily think that needs to be the case.
I’m a big believer in free play and I’ve always noticed kids having the most fun when they are left to their own devices and play with each other freely.
I think one or two themed activities can be fun, but then let the children have time to use their own imagination, especially if you’re outdoors in an open space.
Decorative Focal Point
It’s fun to decorate for a party, but it can get overwhelming if you let it. To keep things in check I like to focus on a pretty table and a fun food display. Tie the two areas together with fabric, decorative accents, colors, or flowers.
One of my favorite tips is to use the same fabric for a table runner, as you use in the backdrop of the food table. Just wrap a yard and a half of fabric around a painters canvas and secure it to the back with duct tape, or place it inside a frame.
For an extra step, use even more coordinating fabric as a backdrop for a photo booth.
Food
Although big dessert tables are pretty to look at, I prefer to serve additional savory snacks at a birthday party in order to balance out the sugar. They can still be displayed in a pretty fashion, and making them small for little fingers is instantly fun.
Some good standby’s are carrot sticks, fruit, cheese, pretzels, sausage balls, chicken fingers, cheese pizza, ham and cheese pinwheels, popcorn, and chips or crackers.
Personalization
Every child loves to feel special, and adding some personalization is a great way to do that at birthday parties. Highlight the guest of honor by printing and hanging a birthday banner with his or her name. Place some framed photos of the birthday child’s previous years around the space.
For the guests, add name tags and/or place cards to their party favors, drink bottles, or at the table setting.
These tips are meant to guide you and help you focus on a few key areas in order to help you plan and stay organized. And when you concentrate on these key points you have more time to make them EXTRA special.
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