<< Previous ] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [Next >>

Thom's Party Planning Secrets: 2

Magician Thom Bliss Reveals His Secrets - For Planning a Great Birthday Party

Secret #2:
Keep it Short

It is important that you keep the length of the party within reasonable limits. This usually means no more than two to two and one-half hours.

Here is a suggested schedule:

Let's go over this schedule.

You should allow about fifteen minutes for the children to gather. During this period, there should be some activity for the earlier arrivals to do while they are waiting for the others to come. Coloring pages from coloring books is one good activity for the earliest arrivals. The younger kids love to color. Buy several boxes of crayons - just the most basic colors - and put them all in a basket, to prevent fighting over a favorite color. After enough children have arrived to start the game, a game that the others can join in as they arrive, such as tag, British bulldog (or Pom-Pom Pull-Away), or a circle game works well.

Girls Birthday Party Cd Let's Hear It for the Girls! This CD is special for that special young lady's birthday party. Sing Happy Birthday! Boys Party Music Cd Let's Hear It for the Boys! This CD has a great song selection for your favorite son's party. Sing Happy Birthday!

Just two of the many special party music cd's available from Trixie Makes Parties

After the kids have arrived, there should be about 45 minutes to an hour of entertainment. I recommend that you hire an experienced, professional children's entertainer, who can keep the children entertained for forty-five minutes to an hour, with a variety of activities. A professional children's entertainer has almost become a requirement in some neighborhoods. But even if that's not the case in your area, it's still something you should consider.

Once the entertainment is over you should allow about fifteen minutes or so for the opening of the presents, followed by the cake and ice cream.

If you are planning to serve lunch or a light snack (and this certainly isn't required, at least in most areas), you should allow no more than about thirty-minutes for this. Children eat more quickly than adults, especially under party conditions, and even though you allow thirty minutes for food, you may find that they have all finished in fifteen minutes. Depending on the time of your party, any meal or snack should be served shortly after the guest arrive, but before the entertainment begins, or immediately after the entertainment, with the traditional cake and ice cream as dessert.

Allow another fifteen minutes or so for the kids to find their coats and hats (in the winter), to say their "thank yous" and "good byes" and to be picked up by their parents. If you do not plan to take the kids home yourself, it is useful to have an activity to keep the kids busy while waiting for their rides.

Tip #5

Make your invitations very specific as to when the party is to begin and when it is to end. You don't want children showing up too early - before you are ready for them. And you don't want them staying long after the festivities are over. Unfortunately, some parents take advantage of a children's party to leave their child or children with the hostess for a while before and after the party - so that they have time for shopping, a beauty parlor appointment, or whatever else they want to do.

Tip #6

A written invitation is usually better than a phone call. By having the day, the beginning and ending times, and the place written down, the guests and their parents are less likely to become confused. The invitation can specify, "The party will be over, and your child will be ready to be picked up, at 3 PM." Then, if the parent does not come for the child by 3:15, you can call to find out why. Most people will get the idea and be there.

Tip #7

Even with written invitations, however, it is good to remind the parents of the information when they confirm the invitation by phone and to remind them of the pick-up time when they drop off the kids.

Tip #8

Get the phone numbers - including cell phone numbers - of all the parents and make sure that they have yours. There are many reasons why you may have to contact a child's parents during the party - for example if the child becomes sick or is unruly - and you may have to call after the party if parents "forget" about the pick up time. Of course, the parents may need to contact you.

More Party Planning Secrets
<< Previous ] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [Next >>

Have a Birthday Party Your Child Will Remember Forever & Get The Most Fun For Your Money in Southern California "We really appreciated your presence, the lift it gave to the event, and the look of wonder on the faces of the children." -- Lois Christofferson San Juan Capistrano, California "It was delightful to watch people catching each other with their mouths dropped open and their eyes registering awe, poking each other in the ribs and pointing, slapping their knees in delight and just generally laughing themselves off their seats." -- Judy Secor Huntington Beach, California      Kids love magic. Kids love to laugh. They love balloons. And they love furry creatures. Thom Bliss's Happy Birthday Magic Comedy Show has all that ... And more!     You and the kids will be amazed, amused, and thoroughly entertained by the magic, clean comedy and adorable balloon sculpture of Thom Bliss & Pam. It's a totally unique, one-of-a-kind, party fun extravaganza your child, your family, and your entire neighborhood won't forget!     All of Thom & Pam's birthday party solutions provide a laughter-packed program magic, comedy, music, balloon sculpture and fun! Your child can be the star of the show. Thom will even crown your child "King for the Day" or "Queen for the Day."      Plus there's tons of hilarious audience participation - without embarrassment to anyone! Every child (age permitting) gets to help in some way, because kids don't want to just sit and watch - they want to help make the magic happen! And the kids will be thrilled to help Thom make his little rabbit, Trixie, appear by magic! Thom & Pam also make balloon animals (or hats, flowers, swords, or whatever) for all the kids!     And if you select Thom's Gold Package, he will even teach the kids a magic trick and give them the props needed to do the trick! Also included with the Gold Package is Thom's special beginners magic kit - the perfect gift for your aspiring magician Don't miss the magic! Don't miss the fun! Thom's schedule fills up fast. Avoid disappointment by calling today. The magic number is 1-714-539-4259.