Another of your children’s birthdays is approaching and you want to make the day special. Having a nice birthday party with plenty of friends and family members is just the ticket to a memorable event. Many of the fondest memories we possess as adults are of birthday parties when we were kids! Planning a party that will be remembered for a lifetime can seem like a challenge. However, when you follow these few simple tips your huge event can be accomplished relatively stress free – allowing you to enjoy the event as well. And be sure to check out the menu to your left - here I have written up a bunch of pages to help make your birthday party planning a lot easier!

Tip #1 – Plan Ahead
The quickest way to a stressful birthday party is last minute preparations. It is best to look at starting your birthday party plans at least one month before the event. Easy items on the agenda are the date of the party, where it will be held, and who you will be inviting. Knowing exactly who you will be inviting is an important piece of information, as that number will help with many future plans.

Tip #2 – Pick A Theme
Not all parties will follow a theme, but some event planners like to center all their activities around one particular topic or popular character. With a theme in mind, you can purchase party supplies like plates, cups, napkins, and streamers. If you do this planning early enough, you can even order invitations based on your theme. (Get those invitations out at least one week before your party. To be safe and make sure they all arrive, sending them out two weeks before your party is better!)

Tip #3 – Pick Your Party Activities
Whether you party plans are at home or at a special location, party activities need to be planned ahead of time. Simple games like pin the tail on the donkey, hide and seek and musical chairs are great forms of entertainment for children. If your party is going to be at a special location, like a restaurant or local amusement, reservations will have to be scheduled and usually paid for in advance.

Tip #4 – Make Sure You Have A Cake!
Not just the cake, but all the refreshments you will need for your birthday party. Make a list of what you plan to serve and purchase everything you can well in advance. (Soda, chips, pretzels and other similar snacks can be bought and stored in your home easily without spoiling.) If you are making the cake, do it the night before the party, as last minute preparations can get in the way of this most important symbol. If you are ordering your cake from a local store, make sure to do so several days ahead of time.

Tip #5 – Don’t Forget The Present
Make sure to get several “hints” from the birthday boy or girl. That way you can make sure to get them a gift they will treasure and enjoy. If they refuse to give you any ideas, look at their hobbies and activities and center your gift around something they can use.
All of this planning can sound scary, but doing it all in small amounts over a long period of time will take a lot of the stress out of the preparations. When you are less anxious, then you and your child can have a happy day to remember instead of a fiasco you both would rather forget!