#getthispartystarted

Planning parties for the luckiest kids in the world doesn't have to be stressful. Read more about our steps to creating a memorable experience for your lucky kids.

CHOOSE A THEME

In our opinion, the most important step in planning any party is choosing a theme.  Choosing a theme will focus your planning efforts, specifically with decorations and activity choices, so that you can create unique, personalized, and memorable experiences for your kids. 

LOCATION/VENUE

Decide where you want to host the party.  Will you host at home or in your backyard? Will you choose a local venue or play space?  We happen to love a good old-fashioned at home birthday party, but we understand people also love to host parties outside of the home. Even if you are hosting at a local venue, you can still personalize the party to create a unique experience for all! Consider: arts and craft studios, playgrounds or parks (check with your local town, you often need a permit to secure and use the space), pool clubs, beaches, bowling alleys, indoor play spaces, gyms...there are so many options! Does your child love books? Try contacting the bookstore downtown. Want to host a beauty party? Try a nail or hair salon. We've found that many small local businesses would be happy to host, so don't be afraid to ask!

INVITATIONS & THANK YOU NOTES

Decide if you want store bought, custom made, homemade, or online invitations and thank you notes.  This is a personal choice but be sure to stick with the theme! 

SUPPLIES & NECESSITIES

• Extra tables and chairs: Consider investing in folding tables and extra folding chairs.  When our kids were little, we had extra child-sized tables and chairs and used them all the time. 

• Rolling garment rack (CLICK TO PURCHASE ON AMAZON) and extra hangers (CLICK TO PURCHASE ON AMAZON): This is not necessary; however, a hanging rack will save you the hassle of having to make room in your coat closet. We also love using it in our laundry room as an extra drying rack for delicates and knits, or in the garage for winter coats and snow gear. 

• Bounce house (CLICK TO PURCHASE ON AMAZON): there are so many affordable options these days and regardless of the theme, bounce houses provide a high energy activity. We also love using our bounce house at other times, not just on party days. In our opinion, it's worth the investment.

• Decorations/balloons:  these are totally theme specific.  While we always have solid-colored streamers and balloons on hand, we love finding fun and unique party supplies.

• Paper goods: table cloths, paper plates, napkins, forks, spoons.  We buy packages of white forks and spoons in bulk.  Often, we will purchase solid-colored table cloths, plates and napkins, but we love to find fun themed paper goods as well.

SCHEDULE: ACTIVITIES/CRAFTS/GAMES/ENTERTAINMENT

Our parties are typically 2 hours long.  We always make a schedule to help keep the party on track and organized.  We try to choose one organized higher energy activity if the space allows (think: dancing, running, bouncing, games) and one lower energy activity (think: crafts, stories, drawing, coloring.) We also build in time for unstructured play, snacks/cake, and entertainment or other activity.  We don’t typically reserve time for gift opening at our parties, but that’s a personal choice (I have PTSD from my wedding and baby showers;)

Do you want to hire any entertainment?  The entertainment does not have to be extravagant, or outrageously expensive.  We love hiring local high school students to help with our parties.  They bring energy and enthusiasm, and younger kids are usually enamored by high schoolers.  Are you thinking of having a cheerleading or football themed party?  Contact your local high school athletic director or coach and see if there are any athletes who would be interested in helping.  Many high schools also have a place where job opportunities are posted as well. Of course, professional magicians, balloon artists, and face painters are always in style.

Schedules change according to theme, location, and age.  Here is a typical party schedule for a lucky 4 year old.

10:00-10:10 WELCOME & BOOKS

10:10-10:40 GATHER & GAMES

10:40-11:00 CALM DOWN & CRAFT

11:00-11:20 CELEBRATE & CAKE

11:20-11:50 ENTERTAINMENT/ACTIVITY

11:50-12:00 GOODY BAGS & GOODBYES

PARTY FAVORS

We buy small gift bags in bulk, so we always have goody bags on hand.  We like to purchase white bags and always have different colored tissue paper so we can match the colors with the theme.  Sometimes we like to purchase theme specific goody bags or boxes. 

We seriously dislike “junk.”  We strive to create carefully curated on-theme party favors.  We generally include one item the guests can do or use or wear, one item they can eat, and one item just for fun.  For example, for a Valentine’s Day party, we might include a pair of heart shaped sunglasses, a heart lollipop or heart shaped candies, and a small stuffed animal (we love Beanie Boos or Squishmallows.) Pool and beach party favors always include a towel (monogrammed if budget allows.)  We buy our party favor towels at Five Below.  They have a great selection of fun prints in the warmer months.  We actually always stock up on the $5 towels for the family at the beginning of the summer so we don’t have to worry if one is left behind at the pool or beach.

GIFTS FOR THE LUCKY BIRTHDAY KID

Did you know we love a good theme?  Since your lucky kid likely chose a party theme based on an interest or hobby, we always buy our lucky kids themed gifts.   Are you hosting a video game party?  Your lucky kid may already have the latest video game system, but now is the perfect time to buy the other fun stuff!  How about a cute neon video game controller sign for your lucky kid’s room?  We also love scouring Etsy for unique wall art - - - digital prints are inexpensive and a fun way to decorate your lucky kid's room.

FOOD & DRINKS

We typically prefer to keep the food and drinks at kids’ parties simple.  We happen to like to host a party outside of typical mealtimes.  That way, we don’t have to worry about feeding the guests, and can focus our energy on theme-specific munchies and desserts.  If you prefer to feed the party guests a meal, we recommend sticking with pizza.  For drinks, we always have water bottles and juice boxes/Gatorade/lemonade.  Don’t overcomplicate the food and drinks, the guests are there for the fun, not the food.

BONUS:  BOOKS

We have built up an enormous library of children’s books.  We love to put out on-theme books on party day.  We have a specific bookshelf to display the books so they are easily accessible to everyone.  Having books for the guests to look at as they arrive gives them something to do as the rest of the guests arrive.  As the kids get older, they will likely want to socialize or start playing right away as they arrive instead of looking at books, so we mostly use the books with the littlest lucky kids. 

BONUS: WHAT TO WEAR

There are so many fun and creative ways to dress on party day!  Whether it’s a costume, a character t-shirt, or a more nuanced outfit, fellow theme-lovers will appreciate your thought and effort. 

BONUS: PLAYLIST

We love to create a personalized party playlist.  There are songs to fit almost any theme, and we also include some of our lucky kid’s favorites as well.  If you have a playlist and find yourself with surprise extra time because something that you thought would take 20 minutes took 2 minutes, you can always play freeze dance or musical chairs.  Good old-fashioned birthday party fun is still in style! Don't forget to make sure your playlist is updated and your smart speaker is charged and ready for party day!

Now go get this party started...

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