Kristi
My baby girl's first birthday party is NEXT Saturday! I still have to buy balloons. There are going to be kids ranging from 2 months old- 6 years old. The average age of all of them however is 3. I bought pin the tail on th donkey. Is there anything else I can do? Suggestions please! **note**The party is from 1-4 and it is going to be at a community center to help with space and clean-up....I need advice, ideas, experiences, anything!!! On food, games, party hats no party hats! etc! Thanks to whoever answers
I'm the hostess, planner, and mom so alot going on. I also failed to mention all we invited was family. Alot of kids in this family. (11 on husbands side)
Answer
I am an experienced event planner! First, a bit of perpective for you. I can appreciate the fact you want a terrific 1st Birthday for your beautiful girl. BUT, what you need to know is that the 1st is not for the child the 1st Birthday is for the parents and they should be the focus. Many Many Many people misunderstand this and companies like to capitalize on that. Break out the beautiful cake and champagne and celebrate with family and friends of your age, not small children. It makes perfect sense from a practicle point of view. Also, FYI the perfect 1st Birthday gift for baby are new shoes in all sizes, or a gift certificate for Stride Rite. The reason for that is your lovely daughter will probably go through at least 4-6 pairs of shoes in the next year!!!
Ok, you are in the communtiy center- Keep it very simple- Balloons everywhere to cozy up the space and many more on the floor to kick around. Make sure the balloons are not overblown(the ones on the floor) so they do not break easily. Balls are great fun for all. Make sure they are soft and light-Toys R Us sells them and Target. They are not expensive. Under $2.00 ea. Have one for each child and put thier name on it at the party with permanent marker and that and only that can be thier party gift!!! Hats can be a great arts and crafts project by placing the cone shaped hats on a long table outfitted with all sorts of stickers. Have extra sheets of construction paper handy and they will make sticker pictures and cards as well. Try and keep the kids corralled and organize your time about 10min for each event. Start with the hat and arts and crafts project, then feed them, then as they are seated around and eating tell them a story from a picture book(keep it short), then while you have thier attention break out about 10 pictures of your daughter and tell the kids a little something about her birth, the time she was born, maybe bring her going home from the hospital outfit for them to hold to show them how big she has gotten or compare her baby shoes. Let them talk about themselves or ask them questions about thier birth again keep to 10min. After that let everyone get up and gather by the cake and sing and then serve the cake. After the cake(NO ICECREAM), break out the balls and ask each child to pick one and have a few adults on hand with those permanent marker to help put thier names on them. Do not open gifts there, young children have no patience, and older ones will be disinterested-it never works. Thank everyone for the gifts and that you will be sending something special in the mail for each of them(thank you note)! When you are at home you can even video all the gifts as you, your husband, and daughter open them(much nicer). After that start to clean up and go. A children's party should never go beyond 2 hours. Other parents appreciate it when you keep it short and simple. What ends up happening people start to cut out even before the cake is served. Have a plan, keep it simple, and everyone will have a great time.
Oh by the way, if someone wants to gift the parents as well that is appropriate. Just because it is at a community center, it is still nice to take a Hostess gift. A small bouquet of flowers even(4.99).
OK! FOOD-Kids like small sandwiches on white bread(PBJ if no one is allergic) and take the crust off and cut them into star shapes, Grapes are always a hit, pretzels, Small cheese squares(yellow is popular), Turkey luncheon meat rolled up on a platter real simply place many cherry tomatos around it kids love them. Carrot sticks(not baby carrots) are great. Chicken tenders are great at room temperature. Tiny small turkey meat balls are good as well. Pigs in blankets(hot dogs wrapped in bisquit dough). Drinks: Juice Boxes, and small "chubs" of water. Make sure to go and purchase very brightly colored bowls and platters and use the pretty table cloths-Dollar Tree! You can even make large colored flowers out of the cloths or use colored tissue paper. Do not worry about a theme just make it warm, colorful, and fun. Good Luck!
I am an experienced event planner! First, a bit of perpective for you. I can appreciate the fact you want a terrific 1st Birthday for your beautiful girl. BUT, what you need to know is that the 1st is not for the child the 1st Birthday is for the parents and they should be the focus. Many Many Many people misunderstand this and companies like to capitalize on that. Break out the beautiful cake and champagne and celebrate with family and friends of your age, not small children. It makes perfect sense from a practicle point of view. Also, FYI the perfect 1st Birthday gift for baby are new shoes in all sizes, or a gift certificate for Stride Rite. The reason for that is your lovely daughter will probably go through at least 4-6 pairs of shoes in the next year!!!
Ok, you are in the communtiy center- Keep it very simple- Balloons everywhere to cozy up the space and many more on the floor to kick around. Make sure the balloons are not overblown(the ones on the floor) so they do not break easily. Balls are great fun for all. Make sure they are soft and light-Toys R Us sells them and Target. They are not expensive. Under $2.00 ea. Have one for each child and put thier name on it at the party with permanent marker and that and only that can be thier party gift!!! Hats can be a great arts and crafts project by placing the cone shaped hats on a long table outfitted with all sorts of stickers. Have extra sheets of construction paper handy and they will make sticker pictures and cards as well. Try and keep the kids corralled and organize your time about 10min for each event. Start with the hat and arts and crafts project, then feed them, then as they are seated around and eating tell them a story from a picture book(keep it short), then while you have thier attention break out about 10 pictures of your daughter and tell the kids a little something about her birth, the time she was born, maybe bring her going home from the hospital outfit for them to hold to show them how big she has gotten or compare her baby shoes. Let them talk about themselves or ask them questions about thier birth again keep to 10min. After that let everyone get up and gather by the cake and sing and then serve the cake. After the cake(NO ICECREAM), break out the balls and ask each child to pick one and have a few adults on hand with those permanent marker to help put thier names on them. Do not open gifts there, young children have no patience, and older ones will be disinterested-it never works. Thank everyone for the gifts and that you will be sending something special in the mail for each of them(thank you note)! When you are at home you can even video all the gifts as you, your husband, and daughter open them(much nicer). After that start to clean up and go. A children's party should never go beyond 2 hours. Other parents appreciate it when you keep it short and simple. What ends up happening people start to cut out even before the cake is served. Have a plan, keep it simple, and everyone will have a great time.
Oh by the way, if someone wants to gift the parents as well that is appropriate. Just because it is at a community center, it is still nice to take a Hostess gift. A small bouquet of flowers even(4.99).
OK! FOOD-Kids like small sandwiches on white bread(PBJ if no one is allergic) and take the crust off and cut them into star shapes, Grapes are always a hit, pretzels, Small cheese squares(yellow is popular), Turkey luncheon meat rolled up on a platter real simply place many cherry tomatos around it kids love them. Carrot sticks(not baby carrots) are great. Chicken tenders are great at room temperature. Tiny small turkey meat balls are good as well. Pigs in blankets(hot dogs wrapped in bisquit dough). Drinks: Juice Boxes, and small "chubs" of water. Make sure to go and purchase very brightly colored bowls and platters and use the pretty table cloths-Dollar Tree! You can even make large colored flowers out of the cloths or use colored tissue paper. Do not worry about a theme just make it warm, colorful, and fun. Good Luck!
Christmas gifts?
princessin
i need help on what to give my husband for christmas any ideas?
oh please under $100 baby on the way
Answer
Here are some great Holiday and Christmas gift ideas:
1. He'll get his favorite tunes whereever he drives: Sirius Starmate Receiver with Car and Mounting Kit ST2109.99
$99.99: http://shopping.yahoo.com/b:Gadget%20Guru:784713419
2. 5L Keg Dispenser - Keeps Beer Cold! http://shopping.yahoo.com/b:All%20Gifts%20for%20Him:784713425
3. So you'll add $50 to this HoMedics Therapist Select QuadRoller Massaging Cushion
$149.99 : http://shopping.yahoo.com/b:All%20Gifts%20for%20Her:784712922
You can find more unique Holiday and Christmas gifts at Yahoo! Shoppingâs Holiday Gift Center: http://shopping.yahoo.com/b:Holiday%20Gifts%20%26%20Gift%20Ideas:784712816
Hope this helps!
Here are some great Holiday and Christmas gift ideas:
1. He'll get his favorite tunes whereever he drives: Sirius Starmate Receiver with Car and Mounting Kit ST2109.99
$99.99: http://shopping.yahoo.com/b:Gadget%20Guru:784713419
2. 5L Keg Dispenser - Keeps Beer Cold! http://shopping.yahoo.com/b:All%20Gifts%20for%20Him:784713425
3. So you'll add $50 to this HoMedics Therapist Select QuadRoller Massaging Cushion
$149.99 : http://shopping.yahoo.com/b:All%20Gifts%20for%20Her:784712922
You can find more unique Holiday and Christmas gifts at Yahoo! Shoppingâs Holiday Gift Center: http://shopping.yahoo.com/b:Holiday%20Gifts%20%26%20Gift%20Ideas:784712816
Hope this helps!
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