It’s a horrible feeling to be rushing around on the morning of your child’s birthday party – guests arriving in less than an hour, the balloons aren’t inflated, the cake isn’t finished, the ‘pass the parcel’ isn’t wrapped, you just realised you forgot the candles and you still have to shower and get dressed…oh and dress the birthday boy or girl at some stage – preferably before the guests arrive and in clean clothes.
If this scenario sounds familiar then you’re not alone! The key to being able to relax and enjoy your child’s birthday party is.. drum roll please…. super duper organisation. Such a cliché but it works.
One week before the party is where a lot of bits and bobs can be organised and put aside ready for the party day. Below are a 10 tips to help you on your way to becoming that ever smiling, hair swishing Mum that always seems to have a “devil may care” attitude as she casually swings open the front door as her first guest arrives.
- Firstly make a list of all the things you need to do for the party. Without a list of all of the tasks to be actioned, you are running blind folded through a potential mine field.
- Buy all of your party prizes and put them away – work out what games will be played and what prizes you need. A week before is a good time to wrap pass the parcel and prepare all of the kids “Lolly” bags or bonbonniere gifts.
- Do your final check of everything a couple of days prior. It’s so easy to forget something so be sure to double check and have a good look through the list.
- Write out a list of all the tasks that need to happen on the day and put it on the fridge. Its so much easier to just read a list rather than use brain space to think about things when you are trying to get ready.
- Inflate balloons the night before.
- Decorate the house the day before. If you are making decorations like tissue pom poms, then be sure to have them all made a week before so all you need to do is hang them when you are ready.
- Clear out your fridge so you have space for food and drinks and any extra plates if you have people bringing dishes.
- Iron little party person’s clothes the night before and yours too for that matter! Lay them out so you don’t have to think about it in the morning.
- Pick up any tables and chairs during the week if you are hiring them.
- If you are making the cake, have it finished the day before or if it is being made, make sure you pick it up the day before at the latest.
