8/2/2019 Gurgle Magazine Kids Party Feature

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Though its tempting to pull out all the stops

for your tots birthday party, why put yourself

through unnecessary stress when the birthday

boy or girl is likely to be oblivious to your

efforts and more interested in eating jam tart crumbs and

playing with peoples shoelaces. That said, you want to

mark such an important milestone with more than

a balloon tied to their highchair and a sponge cake bought

from the supermarket.

So, how do you strike the right balance? We asked those

in the know for their top tips.

who to inviteFor one and two year olds, the party is really about you

celebrating your childs birthday, so family only is entirely

appropriate, says Emily Potts, owner of Party Ark. But

many mums like to invite friends theyve met at antenatal

from guest list to games, elsie button

offers the lowdown on making your

tots birthday a day to remember for

all the r ight reasons

classes and playgroups too.

Consider limiting the number

avoid your baby feeling overwhelm

Lorraine Buckle from The Party Ti

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when you can involve them in

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If your child is at a nursery

childs key-worker for a list of hi

that way you can distinguish betwe

and the imaginary people on your chi

advises Emily.

Another tip many mums swear by

the number of invitees to the number of

the cake three guests for a third birthdayou have a really little one, try to organise

around nap time. And specify a clear nish tim

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speciy aclear start and fnishtime twohours is plenty

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riding around on the back of some dad on all fours.

Themed: If your child is into a particular TV character, or

dinosaurs, fairies etc, this is a great way to bring together

all the aspects of the party from the invites, to the food,

to the decorations and games. And with a bit of thoughtand forward planning it doesnt have to cost a fortune

- you could always make the costumes yourself, for

example. See box, left, for more ideas.

Bigger budget: There are plenty of party organisers out

there who can help you. Claire, a mother of two, says of one

party extravaganza she once attended: The food was t for

royalty, the house was transformed into the island of Sodor,

and a human Thomas the Tank Engine spent the afternoon

entertaining the kids. It was completely mind-blowing.

a question of costIts important not to feel pressured into spending a fortune

or hiring a venue in the early years. There are lots of ways

you can cut down on costs says Emily. Have the party in a

park or at home and get older children involved in things

they can help make the cake, invites and decorations.

Your participation means a lot to your child. While fancy

entertainers can be great and can make life ea sier, your

tot would almost certainly much prefer it was you jumpingup and down with a balloon up your jumper while singing

Yellow Submarine, rather than a stranger.

A lot of money-saving tips also happen to be more

themed ideasEmily from Party Ark shares some popular choices

Favourite themes for 1-2 year olds includetraditional book favourites such as The Very

Hungry CaterpillarandPeter Rabbit. In thesummertime especially, Teddy Bear ranges

are exceptionally popular and many p arentschoose to meet at a local park for a Teddy

Bears picnic. The children can bring theirown bears, and even dress them up.

The most popular ranges in the 3-4 age grouptend to reect the most popular CBeebies and

Milkshake programmes such as Peppa Pig,Charlie & Lola, Ben & HollyandThomas theTank Engine. The Gruffalo is also incrediblypopular for this age group, and is a theme that

appeals equally to boys and girls.

Girls 3-4 upwards tend to become caught up in

the world of fairies and princesses. Themes rangefrom Rapunzel and Snow White to beautiful

generic princesses in marvellous castles andnot forgetting both garden and ower fairies!

For boys from four upwards, chivalry anddinosaurs make perennial favourites. For olderboys, Harry Potter, The Smurfs, Toy Storyand

Batman make excellent party choices.

For boys and girls age four and up a combined

knights and princesses party is always a success.A Mr Men theme also contains enough Mr

Men and Little Miss characters to keep bothboys and girls happy.

Kids Partiescelebrity st

Kourtney Kardash

a circus carnival them

for her son Masons which included a caroown petting zoo with

goats and ducks.

Katie Holmes andT

allegedly spent $100,on Suris second

birthday, including$17,000 on fresh

owers and $45,000on catering. And

they lled theroom with 1,000

butteries.

For Kingstons

fourth birthday, Gwen

andGavin Rossdale t

100 guests to a $15,0Entertainment includ

superheroes, face paa balloon artist.

Britney Spea

truck-themed

party for herPreston, th

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featured number

Ifthe partys inthe summermonths,

let thechildren eatoutdoors

eco-friendly: Instead of throwaway plastic banners,

use fabric banners that can be used year after year.

Or get the children recycling decorate old

kitchen towel tubes and use as binoculars foryour very own Gruffalo hunt, says Emily.

home or away?For very young children, having

the party at home is ideal its

a more welcoming space for everyone,

says Ellie Kelly, owner of Buttons

Childrens Parties.

If the image of kids tearing around

your house doesnt sit pretty with you,

hiring a venue is a good option,

especially for older children.

A school or village hall will generally

offer a larger space which is great

if you are inviting lots of people,

says Emily. Or, if the partys in the summer

months, let children eat

outside it helps preserve the kitchen oor!

But, bearing in mind the British weather, its agood idea to have an indoor back-up plan as well.

remember whats imPortant!Try to relax and cherish these times, when your little ones

eyes light up at the sight of green jelly and they can barely

contain their excitement during a game of Pass the Parcel.

Before you know it, theyll be all grown up and wont want

you anywhere near their birthday party.

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useful resParty Ark and Pa

supplies and part

The Party Times

recipes, and tips

VIP-KIDZ children

Annabel Karmel

Party Planner 1Cupcake kit, 8.99 andGruffalo treasure hunt,5.95, partyark.co.uk

Princess party

garland (above),

8.99, partypieces.co.uk; Peppa Pig

birthday invitation,2.25 for six; MrTickle paper cups,2.75, partyark.co.uk

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