Hosting a birthday party for a friend or relative and unsure where to start? There are a few important things to remember when planning a birthday party to ensure it is a huge success. The number one fact to keep in mind is that the success of the party is primarily determined by how much the birthday boy or girl enjoys him or herself – so make sure the party is sure to be one he or she enjoys!
Some party-planning tips:
- Work around a theme. This will make it easier to make decisions regarding decor, activities, favors, etc. Popular themes vary by age. It is best to find out what the guest of honor’s interests are. Online research can be extremely helpful if you aren’t sure what your seven year old nephew is into (of course, asking his mom is always a sure bet too). Some examples of fun theme ideas are princesses, pirates, disney characters, Elmo, and Dora the Explorer.
- Make sure to have lots of activities planned so the party doesn’t hit a lull. For grownups, trivia games can be fun, whereas kids tend to like more physical activities such as pinatas or Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Make sure there are activities for all ages of party-goers. In the case of babies’ birthday parties, the activities should be geared towards what the parents might enjoy, as the baby will likely sleep through the party.
- Send the invitation early enough in advance that people will not have made plans but not so early that they will forget about the event. Approximately two weeks in advance is usually a good rule of thumb if all guests live in the area. The invitation should detail the start and end time of the party as well as any details guests need to know (i.e. “bring a swimsuit for the pool”).
- All the supplies and decor, including the cake, should match the theme. Specialty cake shops, even those located at your local supermarket, can usually accommodate almost any idea you have, so consult with them if your theme is outside the box.
Finally, enjoy the party! Hostesses are generally too stressed about the little details to enjoy the big day, but your guests will feel more comfortable if they see you are enjoying the party yourself.
