As a mom of 3, I’ve thrown my fair share of birthday parties in my 8 years of motherhood. Some have been blog-worthy, and others we’ll just call a learning experience. Throwing a birthday party that is age appropriate and budget conscience can be like trying to hit a moving target. I could always use a few pointers in this area, so I polled my fellow Albuquerque Moms Blog contributors and came up with a great list of tried and true Dos and Don’ts for birthday parties that can apply to any age group.
Keep it Simple
Do keep it simple. Go with the flow and Don’t plan too many activities. That can just add to the chaos.
Don’t Bust Your Budget
Do shop at the dollar store for supplies and decorations. Don’t go overboard with Pinterest-worthy decorations that your kids really don’t care about.
Offer Non-Traditional Gift Options
In lieu of gifts, Do ask for a small amount of money (like $5) that your child can put towards something he or she is saving up for.
Say No to Sugar
Don’t serve a lot of sugary drinks and food at your birthday parties. Either you or the parents will pay for it later. And Don’t send them home with party treats that will just go in the trash. Save your money and send them home with something easy like bubble wands that they’ll actually use.
Communicate with Parents
Do communicate with parents and allow drop-offs if the children are old enough and comfortable with that. If you do allow drop-offs, be specific in your communication about what members of the family are invited and what is expected to happen during the party.
Think About Naps and Meal Times
Don’t schedule birthday parties during nap time when the kids are little or you’ll have a lot of grumpy toddlers on your hands! Also, to save money and time, Don’t schedule parties during meal times when guests will arrive expecting to be fed a full meal.
What would you add to the list?
