At the end of August, I had 48 kids to a party. In our house. Sometimes I can’t even handle a playdate with a couple of kids, so what possessed me? I thought it was time that my sons, less than two years apart, both summer boys – should have a joint party. They like the same things and have ALOT of pairs of other sibling friends, so it seemed ludicrous to have 2 similar parties within a month of eachother.
Why so many? I like to be inclusive! Ok, if I am truthful, I thought as it was summer alot of people would be away, but you know what – people aren’t on holiday ALL THE TIME and so they around. (I am very happy everyone could come btw.)
So, here’s my advice to make it as smooth as possible, also without breaking the bank.
- Email the invitation. Go to Canva and design a funky one yourself. It’s free too.
- The party should be two 2 hours max. Don’t want any meltdowns. From you.
- Get a good entertainer. A great one should be able to keep the children happy & engaged and take the pressure of you by organising them for tea and the cake etc. We have used Mr Marvel 3 years in a row as he does precisely this. He has become a family tradition!
- Another recommendation is The Bubble Lady who gives an interractive bubble display.
- Check out Hot Hire if you have a fire engine lover. They park outside the party, let the kids explore the engine and then give them a drive around the block!
- Kids don’t eat much do they? Especially when they are excited. I spent a lot of time constructing a lunch box in previous parties only to see so much waste. Now I just do a plates to hand round. It is slightly chaotic and survival of the fittest but if children are old enough to walk and talk, they can express to an adult that they are famished and the food has passed them by!
What I would serve –
- Jam on brown bread or cream cheese on white bread seems to be popular.
- Fruit shoots (take all the plastic lids of first so you aren’t treading on them for the rest of the party – ouch)
- Bowl of hula hoops. Old school.
- Bowl of mini sausages.
- Half a pineapple with pineapple (from a tin – you don’t want to mess around with the actual pineapple) and cheese chunks on cocktail sticks (my attempt at a hedgehog!) and a tomato and cucumber crocodile!
- Then pudding is the cake… I ordered and collected these football boots from M and S
- For something more bespoke and special, try Victoria Defty Couture Cakes.
- If you want to make one yourself… Try Craft & Crumb. They will send you everything you need to make your own celebration cake!
- If you don’t have time to do the food – M and S also do kids party platters
- If you have tables and chairs for your little darlings, you really should get Lottie from Crate a Party to kit you out with plates, napkins and cutlery all to your chosen theme.
She delivered a huge box filled of Star Wars themed goodies – including balloons, confetti, personalised Happy Birthday bunting AND two giant helium darth vadars. Now that is service! All we had to do was blow up the balloons!
Lottie is offering 20% off her HALLOWEEN package if you mention The London Mummy.
Below is a photo of the personalised Halloween bunting! (The numbers were from when we took the boys to Lords!)
- If your kids want a pinata, get a pull one, not a whack one. That means everyone gets to hold a piece of the string and pull at once. It saves time and a few broken noses too. We actually had two – one for the 4 year olds and one for 6 year olds. It was amazing how ordered it was.
- As a bit of fun, I bought a helium Storm Trooper from Card Factory. The only problem was getting it home in the car….
- With regards to party bags, Jasmine Guinesses honeyjam do great party bags and fillers if you want to do them yourself. Personally I go to poundland and buy 50 toys. If you can, wrap them!
If a party at home doesn’t appeal, here are some great London venues.
I hope this post has helped. The most important aspect to remember when you are having a party at home is to make sure you have a chilled bottle of vino in the fridge for you afterwards!!!
For more recommendations, check out TLM Directory.
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