What's going overboard?

I'll admit it, I have an almost "obsession" for kids parties. I love everything about them. The food, the decorations, the cake, the finishing touches, face painters, entertainment, music....the list never ends. I have often been accused of "going overboard" at my own girls parties. At what point do you think too much is too much?
I have met and heard many people comment on other children's parties, saying "how do I compete with that". Simple...you don't!! Everyone is only expected as a parent to do what is within your means physically, financially and imagination permitting for your own child's parties. With the amount of resources now available, especially on the internet, you can spend a very minimum amount for a very appealing and original party!

I take you back to my oldest daughter's 5th Birthday in December 2010. We decided on a Circus Theme. To build fun into the day, we dressed in character. Just seeing the kids faces when they arrived at the party seeing our full attire was worth every single cent spent.

When planning a party, I try think of the little (and inexpensive) things that contribute to the theme and that add so much to the overall effect. I purchased for $20 the Wiggles Wiggly Circus cd and played it during the party. Lollybags are a huge focus for me as I try to replace the traditional junk filled bag with something related to the theme. To coincide with the Circus theme we gave the children their own red nose and clown glasses. You will realise that the cost of something like this equates to what you would spend on lollies and generally the parents are much happier to receive something the kiddies can keep and use again, rather than contribute to an afternoon or evening of sugar fuelled behaviour!

Ebay will become your favourite friend, you wouldn't believe the stuff you can find that relates to the different party themes. I also love www.madeit.com.au and you can source some really amazing handmade products and you support many stay at home mums purchasing from there also (which of course is great). Ikea is also a great place for products. Just remember, it doesn't have to be a "party product" to fit in. Look at colours, patterns and designs that you can adapt to your party theme. For example Circus to me is red and white, so I found red plastic platters at the discount store and they looked awesome on the day because they all matched. Don't be afraid to ask if you are wanting something in particular, I have asked many times the owner of our local discount store for particular items and when he can, he has ordered them in for me. It's been far more affordable doing it that way than seeking a more expensive item just to look good. Partyware for me is preferrably plastic, especially given that we normally have in excess of 25 kids at our home parties.

There are endless ideas and endless ways to create a beautiful birthday party. I think the biggest key is brainstorming well in advance. When you see things whilst out and about - get them and put them away because when you go back closer to the date, it's highly likely you won't be able to get them and will be really disappointed. Food can always be adapted to the theme. I must admit I have been blessed with no food allergies with my girls, so this has been fairly easy for me (I hate to think about some parents who have to deal with food allergies on a daily basis as it would be a lot of work). The circus party included popcorn and fairy floss and a Candy Bar for kids to select what lollies they wanted. You can even buy lollypops and candy to match the theme. Ie, stick to red and white lollies for a Circus Theme. This is where the brainstorming will help. Start a folder on your computer labelled with your childs name and their birthday theme and when you see things that appeal to you and match your theme note them down. You can google food ideas and recipes and note them down also. It just reduces the stress come party time if you have a bit of an action plan as to what you are going to do and make.

So whether it looks like you've gone overboard or not, it doesn't really matter, as long as the kids enjoy and their birthday is memorable.

Oh and P.S - if you don't already know of Vistaprint, make it a Favourite on your toolbar NOW. You can get so many great things printed on this site for cheap plus if you sign up to receive their specials, often you can get them for FREE! You will only have to pay postage. Their small banners are great to put up as signage outside or even above your party table and they have an extensive range of designs, most matching with kids birthday party themes. Plus....just a tip, their postcards make excellent thank you cards to place in the lollybags. A nice personal touch.....