In today’s modern world, the humble children’s birthday party can feel like an annual examination for parents!  Parents are under pressure to find the dream party venue, book the perfect party entertainer, come up with an amusing theme, create bulging party bags, and cap it all of with the perfect birthday cake.  Your child’s birthday party is the pinnacle of your parenting – your moment to shine and prove your fabulousness!  The judgment of others can detract from the joyousness of the occasion!  But with Wotado.com.au your internet scouring can save the day.
Think imaginative – there are numerous birthday party venue ideas – from ice skating to fairy gardens to laser skirmish to discos.  This year’s kid’s party has to be bigger and better than last years and it is easy to be the envy of all other parents.

Pick a party theme – fairies, football, swimming, bowling, Pooh bear or whatever.  Once you have a party theme the planning all falls into place.  From the theme a party venue can be decided upon.  It can be at the Fairy cave – or your own garden, at the MCG or the local footy oval. 

Invitations can be hand written, computer print outs, emailed out of phone calls.  Beware of the problem of handing invites out at crèche, kindy or school if not all in the class are invited.  You don’t want any disappointed kids.  If the party is limited to a certain number of kids best to hand deliver invites so no one feels left out.  Who do you invite?  Obviously you may feel the need to reciprocate other party invites – but where do you stop.  Do you avoid the dilemma by inviting everyone the child has been in contact with throughout their life?  That may be an option if you have a unlimited budget, but a general rule of thumb is the child’s age plus one eg 7 guests for a 6 year old birthday party.

Food should be faddish and fun.  There should be nothing more delicious than forbidden kid’s party food – cakes, crisps, jelly and sausage rolls.  Wholesome snacks with a birthday twist can be incorporated, but don’t be surprised if the cauliflower florets and carrots are shunned in favour of the fairy bread. Wotado.com.au have several catering businesses that can ensure any kids party food options are handled.  If parents are staying at the party you may also have to cater for them with Jamie Oliver dips and Women’s Weekly hors-doeuvres.   And do not forget the food allergies.  Nut allergies are far more common now so as a precaution remove all nuts from the party menu.  There are also many fashionable food allergies such as egg, wheat and dairy, so an Epi-pen in the first aid kit may come in handy!

Most kid’s parties go for 2 hours.  If your party is at a venue than that should not be a problem as the activity such as bowling can be stretched out for 120 minutes including eating and cake time.  If the party is in your back yard, do you have 2 hours worth of entertaining capabilities in you?  If the answer is no, an easy option is to hire a professional show person to save the party.  There are numerous entertainers listed in the Wotado directory – so select wisely – kids don’t fancy seeing Bozzo the clown half a dozen times in one year!  Look outside the box and remember which entertainer has already been at other parties the same children have attended.

The cake is the highlight of the party.  If you are game give the cake decoration a go.  Most prefer to opt for the more expensive but ultimately no fail pre ordered cake.  How game are you?  Either way the cake is limited only by your imagination.  It can incorporate a photograph of the birthday child, be a fairy with flowing skirt, be a train, a jungle scene, the latest Disney character – the list is endless.  Remember to take several photos, because as tempting as it is not to cut the blessed treat the kid’s will not stand for it to be left intact!

Party bags are another section of the party that can cause consternation.  You feel inclined to up the ante on the party bag your child received last weekend – but where does it end!  Gone are the days of a piece of cake in a napkin and a balloon.  Judgments may be made upon the quality and quantity of treats in your bags.  Many businesses can take the stress out of goody bags, and do the hard work and sourcing for you.