Whatever age your child is turning, planning a great birthday party requires some forethought and planning. By focusing on the initial planning you can relax as a parent and enjoy the event rather than feeling stressed and rushed. Be mindful of a few pitfalls to make sure you and your family enjoy this special day.
Activity or Event
Most birthdays focus on an activity or event. Don't overdo it, regardless if your child is turning 1 or 15. Do one thing and do it well to ensure that the kids can engage with the activity or event and thoroughly enjoy it. Keep in mind that younger children have limited attention spans.
Invitations
While printed invitations are lovely, it's much easier to manage invitations online. This gives the parents an easy reference for address and directions to your home or event location. It also provides you with an easy list to know who is coming. If you use printed invitations, be aware that most schools forbid children from passing invitations out at school, so plan enough time to mail them.
Attendees
Find out what your child wants, rather than feeling obligated to invite an entire class or specific number of children. Some children prefer smaller parties with a few select friends. Sit down with your child about six weeks before the birthday to find out what she would like to do. For very young children, focus on their developmental capacity. One and 2 year olds may not enjoy a large crowd, notes Baby Center.
Budget
The amount you spend depends on the food, number of attendees, goody bag ingredients and any activity or event. Draw up a budget that includes what you'd like to do and pare it down as necessary to fit your family's financial situation.
Timing
The timing and length of the party depends on your child's age. Younger children may still be napping, so avoid afternoons. Older kids may enjoy an evening outing. The length of the party depends on what you're planning, but a two-hour party is typical for younger ages. If you're hosting a sleepover, however, be clear with parents about what time to pick up in the morning.
Food
Food is often the largest budget item for parties thrown at home. For parties that occur around meal time, be clear with parents about whether you will be serving pizza or a snack so that they know whether to feed their child in advance of the party. Check also to see if any child has a food allergy.
Requirements
If you're hosting a party at an offsite location, such as a tumbling gym, let parents know if their children must wear socks to participate. Plan on bringing a few extra pairs if someone forgets. For older kids, if you're taking the kids out to dinner and a movie, be clear about whether the invitees need to bring their own money for snacks, for example.
Goody Bags
Goody bags run the gamut from a simple bag with candy and small toys to a gift card to a swanky boutique. What you choose depends on the theme of the party, if there is one, and what you want to spend. Make sure you choose something appropriate to the children's developmental age--be cognizant of small toy pieces that can be a choking hazard for young kids.
Theme
Not all kids want a theme, especially as they get older, but younger kids often enjoy the fantasy of dressing up as a pirate or princess. If you choose a theme, make sure it's clear to parents of younger children. If children should come in dress-up gear, let parents know well in advance.
Cake
A birthday cake is traditional but new options abound. A cake requires cutting and passing out with plates, forks and napkins. Many bakeries now create "cupcake" cake that has a solid image on the top made of frosting, yet is easy to pull apart once the candles are blown out. Alternatively, some ice cream stores also create cupcake sundaes that children can enjoy.
