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10 Tips To Make Your Child's Birthday Party Fun, Memorable, and Stress-Free
by Tim Hall
TIPS FOR A HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY
1) Tie a bouquet of balloons on your mailbox, front porch or apartment door so it's easy for your guests and hired help (Entertainment, pizza delivery, etc.) to find the party. Have the birthday child select the balloon colors.
2) Involve the entire family in your child's party. Assign duties for each family member, especially siblings. For example, one person might be in charge of decorations, another person might be in charge of taking photographs, or videotaping the birthday, or answering the door when guests arrive, or hanging up coats, etc.
3) Prepare your child for the party. You might play act or rehearse how you would like your child to answer the door, greet your guests and receive the presents. Discuss good manners and acceptable behavior for the party, and what areas are off limits (e.g. bedrooms).
4) Siblings can become jealous so it's also important to give your other children a little extra love on the day of the party, remembering the limelight is on the birthday child.
5) Protect your pets. I suggest that they be placed in a safe area away from the children. A birthday party can be very stressful for pets. Some children like to play rough, and animals may bite if they feel threatened or stressed.
6) On the day of the party, you may want to have the children take off their shoes and leave them by the front door. Kids love to take off their shoes and play in their socks. Of course, the real reason for this is it will save your carpets!!! A birthday party and lots of kids can soil, stress and trash your carpets!
7) Keep sugar and caffeine to a minimal for the children. Kids have enough energy without chemicals. Flavored waters, juices, herbal iced teas, and lemonades are a great alternative to caffeine and sugar loaded sodas. Try pretzels or carrots instead of candy and sweets.
8) Using nametags is a great idea and helps to put everyone at ease. At most parties, many people will not know each other. The nametags will help both adults and children to remember and to use each other's name. People like to be addressed by their name or their desired nickname.
9) Presents - You might want to consider having a large cardboard box handy to put presents in. The birthday child could decorate it with bright wrapping paper or simply color it. Opening presents at the party is often a personal family tradition, but when asked, I suggest it be done after everyone has left. This allows you to record every gift and discuss how thoughtful each friend was in giving it. Whether you open the gifts during or after the birthday party, it is a good idea to record on a note pad the gifts given and who gave the gifts. Children should be encouraged to appreciate and savor every gift, hey its just good manners!
10) Plan lots of activities (Cake, entertainment, food, games, playtime, etc.) for the children and don't make the party too long. About two hours is usually the perfect amount of time. If you follow the tips above, you will have the foundation for a fun and memorable birthday party. You might even get to enjoy the party yourself. --
Tim Hall is a professional magician in Maryland. www.timhall.com.
