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Channel: princesspartyideas1
Date: 09/04/2013

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Top 12 Party Do's and Don'ts

DO plan early

The best people and places are fully booked months in advance and if they're not, ask yourself why not. It's a question I wish I had posed the year I left it late and introduced a knife juggling circus act to my 4 year old. It's not a mistake I made twice.
DO consider a joint party
Instead or entering into a 'Who can get the invite out first' race with other parents, join forces and funds. If your child has a friend whose birthday falls around the same time, why not organize a party together. If you're going to invite the same group of friends and even opt for the same sort of party, this is a great option that halves the cost and the stress. 

DON'T let your child decide the guest list

If you let your little one take charge of who they're inviting, they'll leave out the friend they've fallen out with in the playground. Up to the age of 7, it's best to stick to either a full class party or one where you simply invite all the girls, or all the boys. Teach your child to be inclusive.  For nursery aged children and over 7s, it's fine to be selective. 
DON'T be afraid to chase late replies
Experience has taught me that parents who don't respond within the first few days of an invite either haven't received it, or have forgotten. Give yourself a helping hand by putting an RSVP date on the invite. After that, don't be afraid to 'remind' via text or over a pick up time chat in the playground. 

DO check for allergies

In a group of 20 children, chances are there will be some allergies, and some children who can't eat certain food for religious reasons.  Don't presume parents will inform you. Ask about allergies when you know who is coming along. 

DON'T over cater

Appetites shrink as excitement builds so there is no need to provide a smorgasbord of sandwiches. Stick to the tried and tested trio of party favorites -- ham, jam and cheese. Throw in a selection of crisps and a couple of bowls of grapes, cucumber sticks and tomatoes. 

DO consider your party date

It's heartbreaking to receive a steady stream of 'nos' after you've spent weeks securing an entertainer and a venue on a particular date. Give yourself half a chance by avoiding key dates, like Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day, and religious holidays such as Easter Saturday and Yom Kippur. 

DON'T invite too make children

This is a mistake you'll only make once. 30 children and 30 parents will fill even the most generous village hall. Add a bouncy castle and some uninvited siblings and you are nearly on riot watch. 

DON'T obsess over 5 a day

There are certain things you can depend on. If you're having a party in your garden, it will rain. If you've made 15 party bags, 17 children will turn up and ALL of your carefully cut cucumber, tomatoes and grapes will remain untouched on the table by the end of the party tea. Be honest. You only put them out to make sure the Annabel Karmel Fan Club in the corner didn't fall out with you. Remember that it's one meal, on one day and if all the birthday boy eats is a handful of Hula Hoops, a Jam Sandwich and a pack of smarties then so what? You can force feed him broccoli for breakfast tomorrow.

DON'T make it too long

The length of your party is very much dependent on the age of your children. But there is one consistent rule. Make sure you put a finish time on your invites. Our party experts say one hour of entertainment is about as much as the average 2-4 year old can take, followed by half an hour for food and farewells. You can increase that to a two hour party once children turn 5 years old.  From experience once kids have their party bags they are pretty much ready to leave!

DO party bags

Usually found in the back of your car a week after the party, just as the butter cream icing from the napkin wrapped cake is going rancid. But woe betide the mum who thinks she's above a party bag. It's a sure fire way to get your guests sobbing as they leave. 

DO enjoy it

There are times during the planning you will find this the most absurd piece of advice. How on earth can you expect to enjoy it? Remember that this is one of those 'gone too quickly' milestones and if you don't press the pause button and enjoy the sight of your child laughing with the entertainer or bouncing with his friends then the stress simply isn't worth it. When the balloons have burst and the cake is just crumbs, it's those memories that will make you do it all again next year!
These Do's and Don'ts are taken from http://www.familiesonline.co.uk

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