We all remember the joy of birthday parties. Filling our bellies with squash and cake before burning off those E numbers with some musical chairs. They were marked in the diary and counted down to with glee, the true highlight of a 7-year-old’s social schedule.
I thought those parties had drifted peacefully into the memory. But how wrong I was. Now in throws of adulthood, I find myself slap bang in the middle of a frantic schedule of soirees, luncheons and full-blown bashes.
And, my word, how they’ve changed.
Where there once was watered down Ribena and soggy Monster Munch, now lie organic crudites and ethically sourced napkins. For the unordained, it can all be a bit much.
So whether you’re new to the party game, or already a seasoned pro, here are a few tips to keep your kids’ parties pain-free.
Be prepared for a lot of them
I mean a lot. From the age of 4 and up, there’s always a birthday party hiding around the corner. And just when you think you’ve cleared them for good, they start all over again. Plus, as your little one flexes their social muscles, the party pool will only get bigger.
See it as a plus though. A party invite is a seal of approval for friendships at any age. A deluge of invites probably means your kid’s doing something right.
The good news is, with so many in the diary, you should never feel bad for dropping out. Us parents are a forgiving bunch and a simple text is more than enough to justify a shindig no-show.
Be the guest you’d like to have
Whether you’re attending or, dare I say, hosting, kids’ parties are pretty demanding. Every bash needs parents to be on their best behaviour. So be the guest you’d like to have round. That doesn’t mean arriving four early to string up the bunting. Just think of little ways you can help affairs run as smoothly as possible.
You could always offer to ferry some guests or lend a hand with the cleanup. But I prefer to keep things simple by bringing some food and drink. A few extra snacks will always be welcome and hosts won’t say no to a bottle of red. Depending how manic festivities become, they might even offer you a glass.
The same goes for gifts
Dozens of kids means mountains of presents. But nobody wants their house filled with pointless plastic. So when it comes to gifting, my general rule is keep it simple and keep it quiet. That make-your-own megaphone may look like fun but mum and dad might think otherwise. Books, bags and colouring sets are always a safe bet.
If you really want to dazzle your hosts, why not come with a gift box? After an hour and a half of free childcare, it’s the perfect way to say thank you. Pampering goodies and a good dose of chocolate should do the trick.
Get social
Every parent knows that finding the time to socialise is easier said than done. That’s why kids’ parties are a great way of making new friends. Sure you’ll get on with some parents better than others but as you’ll be seeing a lot of them, it pays to make the effort.
I’ve met some of my closest friends by bonding over a game of pin the tail on the donkey. And as you’re all on the rollercoaster of parenthood together, there’s always plenty to talk about.
Keep it simple
Now, for the hosts. First of all, if you’ve decided to host a kids’ party, give yourself a pat on the back. This noble deed is a true sacrifice and parents across the land salute you. But the greatest advice that I can give is to keep things simple.
It’s always handy to have some fuss-free games up the sleeve. Pass the parcel remains a failsafe – the more layers of wrapping the better. But my favourite pastime for sugar fuelled nippers is a treasure hunt. Simply hide some goodies in easy to find places and watch them rumble away. Just make sure any valuables are out of harm’s reach.
Long live the cake
The showpiece of any successful party is undoubtedly the cake. But you don’t have to be a star baker to pull out a showstopper. So unless you fancy yourself as a bit of a Mary Berry, I’d stick to a pre-bought masterpiece. Besides, it’ll disappear so quickly that most of the guests won’t even get a good look.
Just make sure you’ve asked ahead for any dietary requirements. Nothing takes the edge off a well-planned party than an impromptu trip to A&E.
Know when to call it a day
Kid’s parties aren’t just for the kids. Think of each one as the perfect excuse to enjoy some guilt-free socialising. But with any party, it’s good to keep an eye on when things may be drawing to a close.
Sustaining and satisfying an army of littluns certainly takes its toll. So if your host is nearly wiped out, it’s best to head for the door. Besides, you’ve probably got two more parties to get to that afternoon.
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