One - Two Months before the Party Choose the Date & Time – This is very important especially if scheduling around a holiday.Outside venues book up quickly.Keeping the party, especially for little ones, in the 2-3 hour range is best.If the party is too long, little ones tend to get tired quickly and then let the crying begin! Chose your Location – Determining the location of your party will help to determine how many people you will invite.Having a party at your home is fun & convenient but not if you plan to invite 50 people. There are quite a few locations in the Lehigh Valley that handle children’s birthday parties...and they do it very well!Last year, we tried Sweet & Sassy, Promenade Shoppes, Saucon Valley.They did a great job and even had additional staff available, in the event they were needed.Click here to check out BirthdayParty Location’s Page. Make a Guest List – Once you know where the party will be held, then you will know how many people you may invite. One Month before the Party Choose the Party Theme – Is it a 1st birthday?Or does your little one want to be a Princess?Sometimes, the easiest way to pick a theme, is to pick your little one’s favourite TV show or Character. Buy the Decorations – Now that you know what the theme is...It is never too early to start hunting for the decorations.If you choose to buy on line, it may take 1 - 2 weeks before you items arrive.And in the event an item is on back order or becomes unavailable you will need a “Plan B”. *There are balloon vendors in the Valley – keep them in mind when you decide you want balloons.They will deliver directly to your destination and their fees are very reasonable.Click here to check out Birthday Party – Paper Products & Balloons. Invitations – Now that you have a “Theme” it is easy to choose your invitations.Invitations should be simple and right to the point.Don’t get me wrong, a cute picture on the front is nice to have but the details inside or on the back should be direct: What / Date / Time / Where / RSVP Date, to whom, telephone number & email address *The RSVP Date should be no more & no less than (1) week prior to the Party Date.That will give you enough time to prepare.
**In this day & age, using your email address in addition to your telephone number is recommended.This gives people an additional way to reach especially if they have questions. Menu – Come up with a tentative menu.It may change a few times before the week of the party but having an “idea” is recommended. Having a Kid’s Party requires a Kid Menu – here are some suggestions:
Main Dishes - Hot Dogs & Hamburgers / Macaroni & Cheese / Peanut Butter & Jelly Sides – Raisin boxes, carrot sticks, chips & crackers, pretzels, teddy grahms Dessert – Cookies, Cake, Cupcakes, brownies *The simpler your menu the easier it will be on you, the party planner.
**Be sure none of your little guests have food allergies.When receiving your RSVP’s, make sure to inquire that there aren’t any nut allergies – which are the most popular allergies with little ones! ***Personally, I try to stay away from ice cream at a kid’s party due to the “mess factor”.
Two - Three weeks before the Party Date Mail the Invitations – Email, USPS or hand deliver! Plan the Party – What games will be played? Plan more games than you expect to use...in case you run out of activities before the party is over. If it is a birthday party, plan time to open presents.AND don’t forget time to eat! Acquire Help - Ask friends or family to help out with the party!They may decline but they may also accept! One Week before the Party Cake – Order now or bake cake and freeze it, if making your own.Plan to have it ready for the day before the party. Food Prep - Make any other foods that can be made ahead of time and freeze Schedule – Write out a final schedule or “to do” list for getting things done for the week. Party Friend – Let siblings invite a special friend over for the day so that they may celebrate as well Two - Three Days before the Party Food – Buy remaining food for the party – if not all ready being supplied by the Party Location. Camera – Make sure that your camera has batteries and the memory card is empty and ready for a TON of pictures! Don’t forget the video camera too! RSVP List – Get an exact guest count and check with those who haven’t yet responded Day before the Party Cake – finish decorating if it is homemade or pick up from the bakery – don’t forget the candles & matches!
Safety - Child-proof the party area Prepare Food! Party Day! Get Moving! - Prepare foods and beverages that could not be made ahead of time. Set up, take pictures, enjoy yourself AND don’t forget to eat!
