The secret to the success of your party will be in the planning.

If this makes you stressed out already, don't be – we will give you a checklist and some guidelines to follow:

4-6 weeks before the Party:

• Start at the beginning: Decide on a party theme
  • Don't forget to ask the birthday boy/girl for their input as this will make them feel special.
  • If you are out of ideas have a look at our Themes or what about your child's favourite TV Program, Sport, Superhero, etc.

Create a guest list

• Remember to keep the numbers as low as possible.
• Take the child's age into consideration when inviting guests to the party.
• Make a rough party schedule
  
  
• Decide on the date, time and venue
  
  • If the child is very young take into account feeding & sleeping times when deciding on the time of the party.
  • When deciding on a venue take into account the weather and the time of year.
• Make or buy the invitations
  • To save costs you can get creative and make the invitations yourself or if your child is old enough ask him/her too help.
• Make a list of everything you will need for the party:
  • Decorations, Party Favours, Prizes for games.
  • Once you have done this you have to decide what you will have to order, buy or make.
• Decide what eats and drinks you will be serving.
  • Once you have done this you have to decide what you will have to order, buy or make.
  • Take into account that some of the guests might have special dietary requirements.
• Make sure that you have enough tables and chairs for both adults and children that will be attending the party.

2-3 Weeks Before the Party:

• Send out the invitations.
  • Remember to put the following on the invitation: RSVP date (so that you can get an idea of how many guests will be at the party) & when the child must be collected from the party.
• Decide what activities you will have at the party and what games the kids will play.
  • make sure that you have more games than you are expected to play
  • choose games and activities that your child enjoys and that is age appropriate for most of the kids.
• Buy everything you will need for the party and follow up
  on orders that you have made.
  • eg. Decorations, Party Favours, Prizes for games.
• Start making things you need to make for the party.
  • eg. Decorations, Party Favours, Prizes for games.
• Finalise eats and drinks to be served at the party
• Ask for help:
  
  • Don't be shy to ask friends, family and/or parents
    attending the party to assist you on the day of the
    party.

1 Week before the Party:

• Order or bake the cake
  
  • freeze the cake until 1 day before the party

  
  
  

• Make and freeze any other foods that you can make
  before the time.
  
  
• Make a final schedule of the activities and games for
  the party
  
  • Remember that we should go with the flow of the
    party and the aim is to have fun – so your plans must
    be flexible.

  
  
  

• Collect any orders you have made for party supplies
  
  • Unless, the collections can only be made shortly before
    the party.

2-3 Days before the Party:

• Make sure that you have film and/or videotape
  
  
• Make sure the batteries for your camera and/or video
  recorder are charged.
  
  
• If you have a digital camera, check that you have
  enough available memory on the camera.
  
  
• Buy any other food and drink you may need for the
  party.
  
  
• Finalize the number of guests and follow up on those
  that has not given you their RSVP.
  
  
• If you are having helium filled balloons then you must
  order them now and make sure that you have 1 balloon
  for every child. You must also arrange collection of the
  helium filled balloons on the day of the party.

1 day Before the Party:

• Make sure that you have sufficient candles and
  matches.
  
  
• Childproof the party area.
  
  
• Decorate any indoor areas that may be used for the
  party. Outdoor areas must be decorated on the day of
  the party, so that decorations won't get damaged
  overnight.
  
  

• Take the cake out of the freezer and decorate it.
  
  
• Prepare any other food that can be prepared ahead of
  time.
  
  
• Blow up any balloons unless you are getting helium filled
  balloons.
  
  
• Make sure that you have enough clean cloths and towels
  for dirty hands and faces.
  
  
• Make sure that you have a 1st aid kit or at least some
  plasters and dettol, for those little incidents and
  accidents.

On the day of the Party:

• Decorate the outdoor area
  
• Keep the party schedule close at hand
  
  
• Collect the cake if you have ordered it
  
  
• Collect the helium balloons if you have ordered these
  
  
• Make any last minute eats that could not be made
  beforehand.
  
  
• Dress you and your child comfortably.
  
  
• If you have a swimming pool or fish pond make sure
  that it is 100% safe.
  
  

• If you are having the party at home – put your pets
  away until after the party.
  
  
• Go through your checklist to make sure that everything
  has been done.
  
  
• Take lots of pictures and videos and have a lovely
  memorable party!!!