10 Tips for Throwing a Successful Bash

By Jamie Jarvis

Yes, taking all of your child’s classmates and their parents to an amusement park or spending a small fortune on every SpongeBob SquarePants-related food, decoration and favor you can find will make for a great party. But you can offer your child and his guests a good time without breaking your wallet. Here are 10 hints to help you pull off a successful bash without going crazy, busting your budget or taking the week off from work!

1. Involve your child. Party planning is a great opportunity to share a fun time with your child. Including your child in the process will ensure that the soiree reflects her interests.

2. Prioritize when planning. Focus on the key things that create party fun and are most important to your child. There are so many fun things you can do, buy and make for your child’s party that it can sometimes become bigger and fancier than it really needs to be, creating extra work, extra cost and probably less fun for all those involved. When in doubt, put your efforts into games and activities instead of food and decorations.

3. Budget your bash. Don’t spend more than you want or need to. Have the party at a one-stop party place, such as a kids’ gym, a museum, an indoor play center or a restaurant. Surprisingly, these package deals can be less expensive than pulling together all the pieces yourself. Or party outdoors at a park with a playground and an open field and bring your own sports equipment, flying discs or other outdoor games. Look for low-cost party favors at discount stores where you might not be able to find plates printed with SpongeBob SquarePants, but plain yellow plates work fine. You’ll also find paper cups, napkins, utensils, balloons, streamers and candy at great prices.

4. Plan sensibly. Develop a good outline and time line for the party. Keep the party short – two hours is fine. Less time means you’ll need less entertainment and less food. Limit the guest list to six or fewer of your child’s closest friends to keep costs reasonable. Schedule the party for a time of day when you aren’t expected to provide a meal, such as 10 a.m. to noon or 2 to 4 p.m. Serve drinks, cake and ice cream instead of a meal.

5. Prepare early. Do as much ahead of time as possible. Then you won’t be in a panic if you get the flu the week before the party or have a huge work project dumped in your lap. Prepare all party favors and games or activities a couple of weeks ahead. You can then spend the days before the party focusing on the things that absolutely must wait until the last minute (preparing the food and putting up the decorations).