Did you know that the average British parent spends about 21,679 GBP on their children’s birthday up to the age of 21?
That’s already enough money to fund someone’s out-of-university education. It’s an average of 300 GBP per party without accounting for the cost of presents.
Yes, planning a birthday party can cost that much. Why not put that money to good use? Whether you’re getting a bouncy castle or keeping it low-key, we got 7 important tips for you to follow.
Keep these in mind to ensure no birthday party gets boring and you always have something prepared:
1. Birthday Guest of Honor
The first thing you need to consider is the guest of honor. They’re the reason you’re throwing this party, so it should be your most important consideration. If you’re hosting a children’s party, it might be easy to forget that it’s about them and focus on other adults.
But if you want to throw a party that they’ll appreciate, always consider these things:
- Age
- Preferences
- Personality
- Attention span
The type of party along with its length needs planning that depends on your guest of honor. Hosting a slumber party is perfect for teenagers since it can last for several hours. But if you throw one for a six-year-old, it might result in them falling asleep.
You also need to consider their social skills. An outgoing child can respond better if you have a lot of guests and use loud forms of entertainment. Inversely, an introverted child might opt for a smaller, more intimate family gathering.
2. The Party Budget
Consider your budget first before you even start spending on anything. You still need to pay the bills after the party finishes, so plan with that in mind. Ask yourself the amount of money you can spend on the following:
- Invitations
- Cake, Food, and Drinks
- Presents
- Entertainment and Decorations
- Party Space
It’s important to arrive at a definite budget since it will help you canvass for the best deals once you start looking for these. Going in blind might tempt you to buy something you’ll regret later on.
3. Birthday Party Theme
Take the party’s theme into careful consideration. As soon as you decide on one, you have to do your best to have each detail relate to it. That will include your invitations, decorations, and sometimes, the food selections.
Don’t hesitate and ask your guests to use outfits that fit the party’s theme. But if you aren’t planning to surprise the celebrant, make sure to let them choose their favored theme. It’s much easier to decide a theme for children since you can base it on cartoon characters or games.
Again, take your budget into consideration. The general rule is that the theme will become more expensive as you make it more elaborate. Use your imagination and ingenuity to find ways to reduce the party’s price.
4. Venues
Your party area’s available space will play a big part in determining the maximum number of guests you can invite. It also dictates the party theme, entertainment options, and length. Try renting a restaurant or a party venue if your budget will allow for it.
Otherwise, you can save a lot of money by holding the party at your home. Look for possibilities—do you have more space outside or inside the house? Check if your home is safe for both your guests and furniture.
5. Your Party Guests
Your birthday boy or girl is the most important part of your party. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put your guests into consideration. If the majority are children, it will benefit you to invite their parents.
But that will mean you need to have party elements that appeal to both children and adults. Make sure the atmosphere is safe for your guests, no matter how old they are. Check whether the guest has special diets or other conditions that can endanger their health.
The most important thing you need to consider is food allergies. After all, more than 5-8% of all children in the United Kingdom alone have food allergies. The rate for adults is much lower at 1-2%.
6. Preparation Time
Do you have a busy schedule with your work? If so, you might not have enough time to make personalized invitations or make gourmet meals. The short time frame might not even allow you to arrange bombastic entertainments.
If time is your enemy, make sure to find shortcuts like using premade invitations and outsourcing the rest. Don’t make everything on your own if you aren’t fond of it. By the time of the party, you might find yourself more irritable and unhappy.
For food, make sure to get a good catering service. That way, you won’t have to put in a lot of effort cooking food for your guests. Regardless, look at your available time and plan your party based on that time frame.
7. Backup Plans
As you finish your preparation, make sure to set a backup plan in place. A lot of unforeseen circumstances can cause you headaches on the party day. Your guest of honor might end up getting sick, or your guests might be more or less than you can handle.
Think about the entire party and have a backup plan for every possible detail. For example, if your hired entertainment fails to show up, get extra games as replacements. Always make or order more food than you expect—you can always give leftovers to your guests if they want.
Start Planning a Birthday Party Today!
There are a lot of other things you need to consider when you’re making a birthday list, especially for a child’s party. But if you need to start planning a birthday party, you can use this post as a starting point. It will help you identify the things that need your utmost attention, avoiding untoward blunders by the time your party starts.
Do you need help planning for your birthday parties and events? If so spend time on our website which is a one stop shop for Birthday Party entertainment supplies.