Posts Tagged ‘party tips’

Top 10 Tips for Baby’s 1st Birthday – Part Two

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Baby's Birthday Party Ideas6. Buckets of Toys!

Rather than leaving all of your children’s toys out for the babies and toddlers to play with, pile them into boxes and containers. Babies love emptying and refilling and this will probably prevent a little bit of argy bargy when two want the same thing as they will be too busy loading and unloading.

7. Cupcakes!

Try making an arrangement of cupcakes rather than one big birthday cake. You can pop a candle in the central cake and this can be put in front of your baby for the Happy Birthday song. If she decides to smear her fingers through the icing or hurl it to the floor then it is only that cake that is destroyed rather than the whole birthday cake!!

8. Jealousy!

If you have a toddler who has been a little fed up for the past year with this invasion of her life and having to share her parents’ attention then make sure she is made to feel a part of the occasion. Take her shopping and let her pick a toy that she would like to give the Baby for her birthday. Let her help to wrap it and even colour in a card. She could help with making rice crispie cakes for the big day too. And make a fuss of putting her in her best party clothes for the celebrations.

9. Keep it Simple!

Remember a First Birthday will only ever happen once. So don’t get worked up worrying about how clean and tidy the house is, how perfect the food is etc. The most important thing is that you savour the moment and treasure the memory – remember it will feel like only a few moments have passed and it will be her 21st Birthday Party (and a whole new set of problems go with that of course!).

10. And Finally….

Remember the camera / video camera!!! Maybe it’s just me but I never seem to have it all together on this front. Either the battery is run down or I haven’t got a disc for the video camera or else I just don’t know where I have put them!!! These are just the kind of pictures and footage that you might want to embarrass her at that 21st party……..

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Little Girls Birthday Parties On A Budget

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

girls party

With even more harsh financial cuts recently anounced by our wonderful Finance Minister, birthday party budgets are sure to be sacrificed by many parents . However that doesn’t mean that we have to skimp on birthday party fun!

The following are some quick hints and ideas for some birthday partu activites for a girls birthday party that will really help you stretch your budget.

First pick a location that is free. This could be your home, someone elses home or a local park. Most euro stores sell party decorations and favours, party balloons and party bags for a fraction of the cost of the party supply stores.

Make your own sundaes, cupcakes, mini pizzas and sandwichs and purchase party size bags of sugary treats from the euro store. Once emptied into a bowls nobody can tell the difference! Everyone likes to play the chef so allow the kids to create their own treats and decorate their own cupcakes!

For even more fun, turn this into a game and allow everyone to taste each other’s creations.

Movie theme night.

The girls can watch a favorite movie that they already own or you could rent a couple.You can make up games for after the movie like a trivia quiz and let the girls inner actress come out and have them act out their favorite scenes. Menu items can include popcorn, jellies and fizzy drinks just like at the cinema, but much less costly.

Spa & Beauty party.

Everyone likes to be pampered. The girls can give each other facials, manicures and pedicures. You can serve sparkling water in plastic champaign glasses (these can be found at the dollar store or a craft store in the wedding favors section) and fancy finger foods like chocolate dipped fruit that can be made ahead of time by cutting up fruit and dipping it in chocolate melted in the microwave.

Fashion Parade.

Make sure you have a camera for this one. Girls can bring over make-up and dress up clothes from home and switch them with others. Girls love to do each others make-up, and create outfits.

After they are all made over there could be a fashion show where they each get a chance to walk the runway (this could be a hallway). Food is usually a second thought when they are working on their creations so just putting out some snack foods like bowls of chips and fruit is usually enough.

Whatever theme you choose be prepared for the chaos of screaming girls and have plenty of help for the after party clean-up.

If you have any other great tips for girls parties on a budget we’d love to hear from you!

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Soccer Stars Theme Parties

Friday, September 3rd, 2010
For all of you with soccer mad kids in the house I’m sure you already know that the Premier League football season is back in full swing. And if you have a birthday party to plan over the coming weeks, why not take advantage of your child’s first love by holding a soccer themes party. It’s fun, easy to organise and wont cost you an exorbitant transfer fee!
The Decorations
Decorating for a kids soccer party couldn’t be easier! Using scarves and some home made banners you can easily create that stadium effect in your home or garden. To add that extra touch to proceedings, why not purchase some large silver paper and cut out your very own Premier League and European Cup trophy.
You can find some inspiration and models to work from here: http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/exhibitions/onlyagame/graphics/cup.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.artinliverpool.com/blog/2008/12/liverpool-museums-european-cup-competition/&usg=__rfG4yiUM_B07DL2yMYfeH70cAY0=&h=256&w=360&sz=17&hl=en&start=36&zoom=1&tbnid=zC_hnE8PT_YsSM:&tbnh=161&tbnw=213&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deuropean%2Bcup%2Btrophy%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1C1GGLS_enIE352IE352%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D685%26tbs%3Disch:10,1400&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=832&vpy=226&dur=4281&hovh=189&hovw=266&tx=44&ty=85&ei=iaiATK73CsK5jAed0KlM&oei=faiATIv6G4We4QaPwq3TCw&esq=3&page=3&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:36&biw=1280&bih=685 & here: http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.talkfootball.co.uk/images/719b21/23_premier-league-trophy.png%3F1187105304&imgrefurl=http://www.talkfootball.co.uk/guides/football_major_comps.html&usg=__Z0aQZQPidvaNePuBR6t5hBVsIEQ=&h=333&w=234&sz=9&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=ksJ0aznIKOb2hM:&tbnh=175&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpremier%2Bleague%2Btrophy%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1C1GGLS_enIE352IE352%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D685%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=634&vpy=98&dur=4290&hovh=266&hovw=187&tx=92&ty=95&ei=XKiATNyPO4mB4QayyoHTCw&oei=XKiATNyPO4mB4QayyoHTCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0
The Games
As well as the obvious game of football there are many other traditional party games that you can give a unique soccer twist to.
Penalty Shoot Out Comp
Line the kids up into two teams and set up a goal at one end of the garden (away from all windows!) using anything from jumpers to 2 broom handles placed into the ground. The goal of this game is to be the first team to score twenty penalties…. with no goal keeper in goal!
Sounds easy? Not quite!
When each penalty taker approaches the penalty spot they must be blind folded and spun around three times just to make things more difficult!
Pin The Tail
Bad weather ruining your chances of playing games outdoors? Then this variation on the classic children’s party game is sure to help bring your party to life. Cut the ball from a poster of your child’s favourite player and let all the party guests take turns trying to pin the ball in the right place.
The Road To Wembley
The Road To Wembley is a popular participation game played by Sky Sport’s Soccer Am TV show which can be easily adapted for your soccer theme party. Place a bin at the end of your garden or if possible, hang a tyre from a tree. The players line up in 2 teams at the opposite end of the garden and must try and kick the ball into the bin or through the tyre. The winners are the team that get the most balls into the target within 90 seconds. For more fun, bring multiple footballs and watch the craziness happen!
The Treats & Prizes
Whilst the half time orange slices are definitely a must, we all know that the kids have come expecting sweet treats! Football themes cakes are readily available and football team themed cakes are available in some Tesco bakeries. Another treat can double as your prizes for the games – chocolate medals!
A soccer theme party is sure to be a hit with all your soccer mad guests. Just remember to always have an indoor plan B just in case the rain makes an appearance.
Oh…. an mind those windows!
Soccer Theme Parties For Kids

Soccer Theme Parties For Kids

For all of you with soccer mad kids in the house I’m sure you already know that the Premier League football season is back in full swing. And if you have a birthday party to plan over the coming weeks, why not take advantage of your child’s first love by holding a soccer themes party. It’s fun, easy to organise and wont cost you an exorbitant transfer fee!

The Decorations

Decorating for a kids soccer party couldn’t be easier! Using scarves and some home made banners you can easily create that stadium effect in your home or garden. To add that extra touch to proceedings, why not purchase some large silver paper and cut out your very own Premier League and European Cup trophy.

You can find some inspiration and models to work from here & here

The Games

As well as the obvious game of football there are many other traditional party games that you can give a unique soccer twist to.

Penalty Shoot Out Comp

Line the kids up into two teams and set up a goal at one end of the garden (away from all windows!) using anything from jumpers to 2 broom handles placed into the ground. The goal of this game is to be the first team to score twenty penalties…. with no goal keeper in goal!

Sounds easy? Not quite!

When each penalty taker approaches the penalty spot they must be blind folded and spun around three times just to make things more difficult!

Pin The Tail

Bad weather ruining your chances of playing games outdoors? Then this variation on the classic children’s party game is sure to help bring your party to life. Cut the ball from a poster of your child’s favourite player and let all the party guests take turns trying to pin the ball in the right place.

The Road To Wembley

The Road To Wembley is a popular participation game played by Sky Sport’s Soccer Am TV show which can be easily adapted for your soccer theme party. Place a bin at the end of your garden or if possible, hang a tyre from a tree. The players line up in 2 teams at the opposite end of the garden and must try and kick the ball into the bin or through the tyre. The winners are the team that get the most balls into the target within 90 seconds. For more fun, bring multiple footballs and watch the craziness happen!

The Treats & Prizes

Whilst the half time orange slices are definitely a must, we all know that the kids have come expecting sweet treats! Football themes cakes are readily available and football team themed cakes are available in some Tesco bakeries. Another treat can double as your prizes for the games – chocolate medals!

A soccer theme party is sure to be a hit with all your soccer mad guests. Just remember to always have an indoor plan B just in case the rain makes an appearance.

Oh…. an mind those windows!

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Brazilian Theme Party

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

bcI am from Brazil and my little boy is 50/50…hahaha!

On september he will be 1 year old and i will make a tradional brazilian birthday party.

Theme will be Charlie and the numbers from baby tv,the cake will be decorated with the same theme and a banner with him,charlie and the numbers on the wall…on the table will be a lots of brazilians sweets (called brigadeiro and beijinho) and a few brazilians snacks too…popcorn and ballons…oh lord!!!

All of his friends will be so happy because this party will be wonderful!

People always say…dont make a big party because he cant understand it yet…i will! He doesnt now but he will be so happy when he is bigger and see that we always loved him and celebrated all his birthdays!!!!

Viviane Stewart I am from Brazil and my little boy is 50/50…hahaha
On september he will be 1 year old and i will make a tradional brazilian birthday party.
Theme will be Charlie and the numbers from baby tv,the cake will be decorated with the same theme and a banner with him,charlie and the numbers on the wall…on the table will be a lots of brazilians sweets (called brigadeiro and beijinho) and a few brazilians snacks too…popcorn and ballons…oh lord!!!
All of his friends will be so happy because this party will be wonderful!
People always say…dont make a big party because he cant understand it yet…i will! He doesnt now but he will be so happy when he is bigger and see that we always loved him and celebrated all his birthdays!!!!

By Viviane Stewart

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Rating: 7.4/10 (24 votes cast)

Treasure Hunt

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

bcParty tip – Treasure hunts! Clue difficulty depends on the age of the kids of course!

Drawings of places make the best clues and prizes for all at the end of the treasure hunt ensures no tears :-) Up to 10 clues, each location holds the next clue.

Spread them out well and alternate between front and back garden to get them moving, e.g. beside garden shed, gate, garden furniture, letter box, front door etc. if its raining bring the hunt indoors of course :-)

By Sarah Anderson

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Rating: 9.7/10 (177 votes cast)

Practical Party Bags

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

bcParty Bags! My daughter got a party bag recently containing a pair of socks!

It was such a practical idea – you know kids always get the same junk in party bags which inevitably ends up in the bin.

She loves to wear Amy’s Party Socks now so she got a kick out of it too!!

By Sarah O’Connor

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Rating: 6.5/10 (17 votes cast)

Pin The Tail!

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

bcFor my daughter’s princess themed party we played a slightly different version of pin the tail on the donkey – pin the tiara on the princess.

The kids loved it.

We also had a bit of an adult take on this recently for my husbands birthday party – we had a big pic of Thierry Henry and a football. The person who pinned the ball closest to his hand won!!

By Sarah O’Connor

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Tip for a party: Have as much fun as possible.

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Tip for a party: have as much fun as possible.
As adults we sometimes forget how much fun it is to be a child. For your childs birthday, invite as many children as possible. Don’t be hung up worrying about Mess or too much noise. If this is the worst thing that can happen then so be.If the children have smiles on their faces that’s the main thing. Also make sure you get in and involved.We sometimes forget that children are happy doing the smallest thing so get up on that bouncy castle and bounce away, have fun and laugh along with your children. Remember, before we know it they will be grown up and you will miss the simple times of blowing out the candles on the lobsided cake they tried to help you make or jumping on the bouncy castle with them.

bcAs adults we sometimes forget how much fun it is to be a child.

For your childs birthday, invite as many children as possible. Don’t be hung up worrying about Mess or too much noise. If this is the worst thing that can happen then so be.

If the children have smiles on their faces that’s the main thing. Also make sure you get in and involved.We sometimes forget that children are happy doing the smallest thing so get up on that bouncy castle and bounce away, have fun and laugh along with your children.

Remember, before we know it they will be grown up and you will miss the simple times of blowing out the candles on the lobsided cake they tried to help you make or jumping on the bouncy castle with them.

By Siobhan Carrie

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Have Fun!

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

bcTip for a party, invite as many children as your child wants, let them have as much fun as possible as they are only children for a short time.

If the worst thing they can do is make a mess then so be it.

Once they are happy and have fun then nothing else matters!

By Siobhan Carrie

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Sports Day Birthday Party Theme

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

bcMy son will be six soon, I asked him year before last what he wanted to do.

He wanted to have a sports day. Gosh, the kids had great fun!! I went to the local jewellers and ordered medals, (more than enough for everyone) with Ben 2008 ehol weekend, engraved on back. We organized sack races, egg & spoon, running, musical chairs, muckiest face, pin … See Morethe tail on the donkey – all age appropriate, kids had a great time, everyone got a prize and didn’t even notice I didn’t get around to doing party bags!

Adults had chicken chausseur & rice/glaas of wine for non drivers – so everyone had a laugh. I did a video for parents as a collectable memory! Would be deeeeelighted to win as Ben’s party is b’ hol w’kend & two sisters have theirs in december so they treat this as their party too : ))))

By Pauline Hyland

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Rating: 7.4/10 (29 votes cast)

Medals

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

bcMedals!!! Buy a few bags of them and have mini competitions; penalty shots, disco dancing, relay, musical statues etc and then hand out the medals.

The kids love it and it really makes the party! It keeps the kids talking about the party all week and they have something to keep from the party.

It really made my kids party!!

By Martha Dowling-Gavigan

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Fun Birthday Treats & Mars Bar Cakes

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

bcFirstly for my sons birthday i buy assorted food colouring colours, then I make rice crispy cakes with white chocolate and add food colouring and make a batch of different colours.

I also do the same with fairy cakes so he has loads of red, blue, green cakes and I put a different colour butter cream icing on top, the table looks so fun and colourful when its set up!Everyone goes mad for the Mars Bar cakes too…

Also for my husbands birthday (day before halloween) I have a headstone which i place in the front garden with a hand coming out of the ground, I change all the bulbs in the house to the fire one so the house is lit up orange.

Mars Bar Cakes Recipe:

Melt 75g butter in a pot and add 6 chopped up mars bars, mix together until melted and smooth, make sure to keep stiring so it does not burn.

Poor melted mix into large bowl of rice crispies and mix together until all rice crispies are coverd. Place grease proof paper into a deep dish (lasagna dish is ideal) pour covered rice crispies in and push around until the bottom of the dish is covered and place in the fridge for 10 mins.

Now Melt approx 2-3 bars of cooking chocolate and pour over the now set mars bar & rice crispie mixture spreading all over the top. Place back into the fridge to set.

When your ready to serve take out of the fridge, lift the grease proof paper out of the dish lifing out the Mars Bar Cake and cut into squares, what ever size suits you and your good to go! I havent met a child or adult yet who dont love them!

By Aishling Clarke

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A Question From A Parent For Parents…..

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

presentsWe recently received an email from Mary in South Dublin who was seeking advice from all of our readers about her son’s upcoming birthday party. Rather than explain it in full, I thought I would let Mary’s words do all the talking!

My son will be 7 at the end of this month and we are thinking of planning a birthday party for him and his class mates in an adventure center near where we live. We have taken him to this adventure center on many occasions in the past and he loves it there and is often reluctant to leave when our time is up.

The problem this time however is that our son is rather shy and isn’t what you would call a great mixer. We have moved house in the past 12 months and he has had to change schools because of this and has so far struggled to make friends in his new class. He is generally a very normal boy and loves all of the things that his classmates do, football, video games etc. and once you get him talking he is hard to stop! However for the past year, he has not made any new friends in his class and has become quieter and more withdrawn when in school. We’ve known this for a while and his teacher has told us of her concerns over this matter too. Our plan was to invite all the boys in his class to his party at the end of the month which would hopefully help kick start his relationship with his class mates and ideally kick start some friendships for him.

On learning of our plans for his birthday party, our son was horrified and is determined now not to have any party at all. This has left us absolutely baffled as we really don’t know what to do. I was wondering if you could print this email on your blog in case any of your members have had a similar experience and what advice they could offer.

Sincerely

Mary

So there you have it folks, a bit of a tricky situation for Mary as she plans her son’s upcoming birthday. Post your replies here or email them directly to me on karina@childrensparties.ie and I will pass them on to Mary who I am sure would really appreciate all of your advice.

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Christmas Birthday Parties – A Whole Lot of Festive Fun!

Monday, December 14th, 2009

1078099_christmas__series_oneWhen a child’s birthday falls during the festive season, some children can feel sidelined by all the hullabaloo and celebrations of the season. They can sometimes feel that the holidays take away all the spotlight from them. But that shouldn’t be the case. In fact, the birthday boy or girl should feel lucky that his or her special day falls on this magical time of the year and that in itself should help the child feel very special indeed!

A Christmas theme is a great and easy option when choosing the perfect birthday party for your son or daughter. Christmas decorations are already in place and the house (if you are staging the party at home) will already have that festive party mood to it. The decorations are up, the tree looks great and everything is already in place for the perfect party.

Birthday party games at this time of year can be easy to organise and are often more popular that their equivalents at other times of the year. Musical chairs with “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus is coming to town” is a sure fire way to get the party going as is pass the festive parcel with the winner receiving a small Christmas themed prize. Arts and crafts games are also an excellent choice as the kids can create their own advent calendars, Christmas stocking designs and even Santa Hats out of little more than red card, glue and cotton wool. Pin the red nose on Rudolph are other great games that can be easily arranged. All you need is a poster of Rudolph and ping pong ball painted red with some double sided sticky tape and you have given a traditional birthday party game a festive fun twist.

How about a special festive bake your own party where the kids get to make and decorate their very own cookies for Santa. The kids will love being creative and messy and at the end will have a special treat for their party bags! Speaking of baking… it is important to remind everyone that despite the time of year, it is still your child’s birthday party and not a Christmas party so when it comes to the cake it is always best to bake or buy a birthday cake rather than a Christmas themed cake.

With the weather making outdoor activities next to impossible, many parents make use of their local party venues and adventure centres at this time of year. All of these venues will usually be fully decorated so creating that Christmas feeling will be easy however we would suggest that bookings are made well in advance, as this can often prove to be the busiest time of year for many of these venues.

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The Top 10 Recession Busting Party Tips Part 2

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

705363_party_flutesCan You Do Me A Favour?

Create your own craft workshop and have the children make something they can bring home with them. It’s a great way to entertain the children and at the end of it they have created their own gift to take home in their party bag. Watch this space for craft ideas you can use at your next party over the coming months!

Hell’s Kitchen Ireland!!

Have your own Junior Chef School in your kitchen. Buy or make your own plain biscuits or fairy cakes prior to the party and when the children are all set to go, melt some chocolate and supply them with jelly tots, smarties, hundreds and thousands or anything else that can be used to decorate your treats. The children will love getting messy and if you put down plenty of newspaper or plastic tablecloths, all the mess can be thrown in the bin at the end leaving your kitchen relatively tidy! Remember to warn parents of your plan though so that no one arrives in their best white dress!!!

An Inviting Alternative…..

Why purchase expensive invitations when you can make your own. Save money by creating your Free Party Page here where you can create and print your own invites. For even more savings, take advantage of our free create and send an invite option in the My Party page section where you can choose from an array of wonderful templates, upload your contacts and email them the invite direct from the site. Not only will this save you money but it will also save your guests money as they can instantly RSVP direct to your party page! By not sending paper invites you are doing your bit for the planet also which brings us to ……

Recycling – Not Just For The Planet!

Wrapping paper, party table cloths, unused napkins, decorations and tableware – don’t throw them out! Store them away and reuse them again. You’d be surprised how much you can save!

House Party!

Even if you are not feeling especially creative, you can still hold a hassle free and inexpensive house party. There are some simple, no fuss ideas for party games and entertainment right here on our site. Check out our articles for some inspiration.

However you choose to celebrate, remember the party is all about your child and their guests enjoying themselves. After all, your child and his / her friends won’t remember how much you’ve spent, just how much they enjoyed the day thanks to your creativity and imagination! If you have any recession busting tips or creative ideas, please e-mail us at ideas@childrensparties.ie and we will be sure to include your suggestions in our next posting.

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Homemade Centerpiece Ideas : Homemade Centerpieces & Party Hats

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

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