LIFESTYLE PARTY PLANNING
IT’S
out for decoration kits, party game kits and pre-fi lled party bags. For children aged fi ve and above,
PARTY TIME
Planning a dazzling children’s birthday party can be as much fun for you as for them. Party organiser Pippa Middleton off ers expert advice on how to create a day to remember
expectations grow and they might want something a bit different. A party away from home is always a special treat and there are lots of fabulous ideas to choose from including discos, cooking parties, sporting activities or even miniature tea parties or science parties. The key to creating a wonderful
From extravagant movie-making parties to yoga afternoons to live animal entertainment – when it comes to children’s birthday parties, the pressure is on for parents to come up with new and exciting ideas. Big, blow-out birthday parties are a growing trend with extravagant party packages and expensive entertainers. However, there are ways of throwing a fabulous birthday bash without blowing all of your budget. Age is obviously important. Let’s
be honest; your one-year-old hasn’t got a clue it’s his or her birthday. Until children are at least three, games and entertainers are almost impossible. Generally, parties for children aged one or two should be inexpensive, low-key affairs, ideally held at home for family and a few
antenatal friends. Even children aged three and four are quite happy with a
homespun party, perhaps with the addition of a party theme. You can easily source themed
party products online; look
party lies not in spending vast amounts but in planning – from choice of venue, entertainer and party theme to the selection of food, decorations and of course the birthday cake. If you aren’t having the party at home, think about what the party packages include and what the entertainers will be supplying. For example, will you need to supply the party food? Keep the party menu simple and bear in mind children’s common food
intolerances: shellfi sh, egg, fi sh, celery, cows milk, wheat and nuts being
the most common culprits. Check with parents before and alert the venue or restaurant with
plenty of advance warning. The birthday cake is most important
but if you’re not confi dent of making your own, there are lots of quick and easy solutions. You can order an online novelty cake kit from The Cake Kit Company, which is run by my brother, or buy a colourful creation from a bakery. I recommend a Hummingbird Bakery or Love Bakery in Chelsea. When you are organising a children’s
party, there are certain dos and don’ts that should be considered to ensure feelings aren’t hurt and everyone
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SUMMER 2010 FIRST ELEVEN 67
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