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A birthday party is one of the events a kid looks forward to all year. It\u2019s a day of fun, friends and frosting for them, but for parents, the looming prospect of a birthday party is viewed somewhat differently. There\u2019s a lot that has to get done in order to throw a successful birthday party for your child, and almost all of it falls on your shoulders.<\/p>\n
To make matters even more complicated, there has been something of an arms race in the children\u2019s birthday party world over the last several years as parents throw more and more elaborate parties to outdo one another. As if it wasn\u2019t enough to worry about whether or not your kids and their friends were having a good time, there\u2019s pressure to worry about what the neighbors or other parents think, too.<\/p>\n
However, planning your child\u2019s birthday party doesn\u2019t need to be a stressful experience, and it doesn\u2019t even need to be all that complicated. As any parent probably already knows, a solid plan and a little flexibility are the keys to success when entertaining kids. Here are 6 birthday party planning tips to keep in mind when planning your kids next celebration that will keep your stress level low and your \u201ccool parent\u201d status high.<\/p>\n
This might be the easiest part of the whole process, but it\u2019s very important. Your child probably already has a favorite hobby, movie, TV show or character that you can plan the party around, so make sure you get his or her input before you get started.<\/p>\n
Most experts suggest the \u201cage plus one\u201d rule when determining how many of your child\u2019s friends to invite, so if he or she is turning 7, try to limit the guest list to eight. Doing so will ensure you and the birthday boy or girl won\u2019t be overwhelmed. When you send invitations, make sure you make any instructions clear. It might seem rude to say, \u201cNo siblings, please\u201d on the invite, but other parents will appreciate that you specified. Also be sure to clearly state when the party begins and when you want it to end.<\/p>\n
Having a theme already in mind will make this part easier. An inexpensive goody bag full of kazoos, rubber bugs, glow sticks, etc., is usually more than enough for guests. You don\u2019t need to break the bank on decorations, either, as old-fashioned balloons and streamers are just as festive today as they were when you were a kid.<\/p>\n
This is one of the most important things you have to do when planning a dinner party or a cocktail party for your adult friends, but when you\u2019re planning for a birthday party for your child, it\u2019s all about the cake. Cake and ice cream are all you need, but pizza will be a big hit if you want to go beyond sweets. One thing to be aware of is the fact that many children have food allergies, so ask the guests\u2019 parents ahead of time if there are any of which you need to be aware. Encouraging parents of children with allergies to bring their own treats has become common, as well.<\/p>\n
Although it\u2019s tempting to have a lot of games and activities going on to keep kids from getting bored, the truth is that too much stimulation will kill a birthday party just as fast. Plan for just one activity or game, or stagger them throughout the party schedule if you want more than one. In general, activities should be kept simple. Have kids make their own tie-dye T-shirts, hold a themed party around a specific activity like ice skating, a toddler gym at Chelsea Piers Field House<\/a> make your own ice cream at CoolMess<\/a>, or an animal lovers dream party at The Art Farm<\/a>.<\/p>\n By the time the party\u2019s over, you\u2019ve put in a lot of work. However, don\u2019t forget to take some time to thank everyone who came to your child\u2019s birthday party, especially if they brought gifts. If your child is old enough, he or she should write the thank you notes. Sending emails or e-cards has become accepted practice, but handwritten notes are a surefire way to show your appreciation. In addition, a great way to thank your guests is with party favor bags, that includes a few small items for the kids and parents.<\/p>\n \n6. \u00a0Write Thank You Notes<\/strong><\/h2>\n