Posts tagged Birthday

Ps&Qs and RSVPs – Kid’s Party Etiquette for Parents

May 13th

Posted by Rocking Rascals in Party planning tips

Like any other social occasions there are do’s and don’ts at kid’s parties, although they are easy to get the hang off them when you are in full swing. Here are a some of the basics …

RSVPs
Always include an RSVP date and phone number on your party invitations. In the event of a guest failing to RSVP, a cordial call on or after your RSVP date is perfectly acceptable. Sometimes mail is delayed and other mishaps occur, and you need to be sure that the invitation was received. In addition, knowing the exact guest count is necessary for planning purposes.

Hello!
Encourage the birthday boy or girl to greet each of their guests personally when they arrive. Not only will they see all that their friends have made the special effort to be with them on their birthday, it means the guests will feel really welcome too.

Everyone wins!
If your child wants to play competitive games, try to plan them so that every guest wins convincingly at least once. Games like pass-the-parcel and musical statues are perfect for this. Why not include a few team games as well, like a treasure hunt? Then the whole gang faces a challenge and everyone wins!

It’s my party , and I’ll cry if I want to …
Sometimes the birthday boy or girl may begin to misbehave. If this happens emphasize the important role your child has as the party host or hostess to make guests feel comfortable. Discuss the responsibilities s/he will have such as greeting the guests, showing them where to sit at the party table, and handing out party favours. Stress that through helping others enjoy the day, your child will likely have a better time too. A gentle reminder during the party should be all that’s needed once you’ve laid down the ground rules.

Gifts with a Smile
Children may sometimes express their true, and not necessarily polite, feelings about a gift they have received. In advance of the party, explain to your child that it’s necessary to thank all the gift-givers with equal enthusiasm, no matter what the gift. Impress upon them that each guest feels their gift is special, and that it’s the thought behind it that counts.

If you plan to open gifts at the party, make it early before kids are tired and cranky. Of course, this issue can be avoided entirely by opening the gifts after guests have departed, a time-saving practice which prevents the embarrassment of the party child making ungrateful comments. Whatever you decide, remember to do it with a smile!

Thanks
Your guests will really appreciate personal thank you notes for their gifts. Use notes that follow the theme, and there are many ways to say thank you too.

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So you’ve chosen a party date, booked the venue, and sent out the invites, what next?

Feb 2nd

Posted by Rocking Rascals in Party foods

Children in a Primary Education School in Paris
Image via Wikipedia

The idea of entertaining a room full of little rascals may seem daunting at first, but with a little planning you’ll find the time simply flies by. Here is a simple checklist for your party plan.

  1. Break the ice
    A simple energetic game is a great ice breaker. It encourages kids to join in and play together, even less confident children who may be a bit shy at first.  Strike a pose is a good one as it uses music (always a great ice breaker), dancing and everyone’s a winner too.
  2. Celebrate
    Draw all your little guests together, welcome them, introduce yourself and your helpers, and then lead them all in a cheer for the birthday boy or girl. Right from the beginning, it is so important the birthday girl or boy feels it is there special day.
  3. Create
    One great advantage of a theme is that it provides your event with an obvious beginning, middle and end, and the beginning can be very creative. This could involve making things, like pirate hats for example, or getting dressed up a fashion divas, princesses and rock stars.

  4. Energise
    Two or three highly energetic party games will be about enough to keep the room buzzing if you are planning a party of 2 hours. Need a few ideas, read How to choose the best children’s party games

  5. Feed and water
    If you want to serve a small meal, keep the offerings simple. Familiar snacks like sausage rolls, cupcakes, fruit skewers, fairy bread or sandwiches always go down well. Be aware of any food allergies – it’s best to avoid anything with nuts (including peanut butter sandwiches) because so many children are allergic to them.

    If the parents are staying for the party, make up some tasty treats (dips are easy and delicious) for them too.

  6. Cool down
    It’s best not to encourage kids to be too energetic after they’ve eaten so think of something less energetic than a game. Again your theme could help you here.  We often finish off with a simple dance routine or a fashion show.
  7. Release
    And before you know it, it’s the end of the party and parents are ready to collect their happy, fed and exhausted children.
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How to choose the best children’s party games

Feb 2nd

Posted by Rocking Rascals in Party planning tips

Trying to bite a donut
Image by Mundoo via Flickr

What can you remember most about your birthday parties when a child? The balloons? Streamers? Matching plates? Most likely the greatest hit was the prepared games and activities. So many of the most successful games are simply and easy to include in your party plan. Here are 6 ways to make sure you choose the best.

  1. Ask your child
    What would they like to play at their party. If they think it’s a fun game, their friends probably will too.

  2. Consider space and age
    Trying to get younger children to take part in games with structured rules and outcomes is often like herding cats – exhausting and ultimately unrewarding. In these cases, leave it simple. Older children like games with a challenge and a clear outcome.
  3. Be Flexible.
    If you sense that a party game is not going well, let it go and move on to the next activity. Or, make a quick adaptation to an existing game.
  4. Indoors or Out?
    If your party games are dependent on the weather…be prepared to take the party indoors if necessary.
  5. Be Prepared.
    Have all games set up and ready to go before the party. Make sure you understand how the games is played.
  6. Everyone is a Winner.
    Parties are a time to have fun, which means all guests should go home smiling. Try to reward all players just for participating. Stickers are a great way to do this, and kind to the teeth too.
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Is your child ready to rock? And other fabulous kid’s party themes.

Feb 2nd

Posted by Rocking Rascals in Party planning tips

Air guitar
Image via Wikipedia

Can you remember your first disco? I was 7 and my dad took me to the Golf Hotel in Ireland. Dancing with my Dad and my friends was just electric. Can you remember dancing to C’mon on Eileen by Dexy Midnight Runners too? Such memories often inspire me when planning birthday parties.

One of my most successful party themes is Fashion Rocks, a highly energetic, jam-packed party where children dance, sing and get dressed up in the shimmering outfits so that they feel like little princesses and rock stars. There are lots of party games and at the end, our little guests perform a cat walk show.

Fashion Rocks is often chosen by birthday girls. For birthday boys, we have Rocking Rebels, and as well as shimmering outfits we provide ultra-cool bandanas, shades and inflatable guitars (can you just imagine the air guitar moves?!)

Of course, children can be the harshest of critics so I was delighted the other day when one of my mums came back to me and said, “The kids were still talking about it at Nursery today”. Comments like that make me realise, I’ve just got the greatest job!

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