Hosting a party – especially a children’s birthday party – can be a rather stressful undertaking. While everyone else is looking forward to having lots of fun you are just hoping to get everything done on time and that you have enough birthday party supplies to create just the right party atmosphere.
Being organised from the start can help. That’s why we came up with this simple party checklist you can keep on hand as you count the days down to the big occasion.
10 Weeks Before the Party
- Book your venue if you will not be hosting at home
- Send a ‘save the date’ card (easy to find anywhere birthday party supplies are sold) to any important guests if it’s vital that grandparents or a best friend attend.
- Book any entertainers you want to attend
- Research suppliers such as cake makers, check the notice they require for orders.
8 weeks before the party
- Decide on a theme
- Start jotting down any ideas or assemble a Pinterest album of inspiration related to your theme.
- Start shopping online for birthday party supplies, as that is where you will usually find the largest selection.
6 weeks before the party
- Send out invitations.
- Order the birthday cake or finalise plans to make it, check you have any equipment or borrow/ buy.
4 weeks before the party
- Order your birthday party supplies
2 weeks before the party
- Make a list of attendees for catering purposes
- Make a note of parents’ contact details in case of emergency.
- Plan the party food.
- Plan party bags, order party bag fillers and any decorations or items for games/ prizes/ piñata.
1 week before the party
- Plan party games.
- Get ahead by filling the party bags, wrapping the Pass the Parcel, any other preparation for games.
- If making the cake and any cake decorations can be made ahead of time start the prep.
- Pick out an outfit for the birthday girl or boy.
2 days before the party
- Shop for food.
- Finish any party game prep or filling of party bags.
The day before the party
- Make/ collect cake.
- Collect any supplies ordered e.g. helium-filled balloons or helium canister.
To do on the big day
- Prepare fresh items such as sandwiches.
- Finish party food prep.
- Fill balloons with helium.
Things to take/have on hand on the day
- List of children attending and the parents’ phone numbers.
- Tissues.
- Wet wipes.
- Bin bags.
- Cake knife.
- Candles.
- Matches.
- First aid kit.
- Extra napkins/ cups/ straws.
- Pen.
- Paper.
- Scissors.
- Blutac.
- Sellotape/ double-sided tape.
- Camera.
After the party
Have a large glass of wine!
