Top Tips For Stress Free Party Planning

It comes around so quick doesn’t it? Another year, another birthday, another birthday party. Each year, kids parties seems to get more and more elaborate and end up costing the earth. Parents are facing pressures to keep up with the Joneses and the whole experience becomes a chore rather than something to be enjoyed. This has to change!

Children are the same now as they were when we were young, they do not need elaborate themes to have a good time. These parties are becoming more for the adults, for friends on social media, instead of the children- the birthday girl or boy. So what can we do to stop this merry-go-round?

Tanith Carey, author of Taming the Tiger Parent, has traced this trend back over the past 15 years and actually I have to say I noticed a difference year on year as my sister was growing up.

Reading about how Brooklyn Beckham was thrown a £10,000 first birthday celebration, complete with circus big top and jugglers, suddenly made a traditional game of pass-the-parcel seem dull and out-of-date.

She has put together her top tips for stress-free party planning:

TEAMWORK: Ask for help when planning a party, get family members to help with making cakes and wrapping the pass the parcel, ask a friend to do some face painting.

SCENE: Banners, bunting, balloons and fairy lights are affordable and great for creating a party atmosphere. If you’re looking to add something extra that both kids and adults will love, a Photo Booth rental Las Vegas can be a fantastic addition — it keeps guests entertained and captures memories to look back on

GAMES: Always make sure that you have more games prepared than you actually need. It’s much better to have too many than to run out.

PRIZES: Sweets and small toys work really well for prizes. Remember, the round of applause for winning should be more exciting than the prize itself.

PARTY BAGS: Don’t go overboard- children will be delighted with a lollipop, a bouncy ball, a notepad and pen and a slice of cake.

PLAN: Make your money go further and reduce stress by planning at least 6 weeks ahead of your child’s party. Sign up to a scheme such as the Argos Birthday Club for information and advice as well as exclusive offers.

Tanith also challenged three parents to change their ways and plan a simple but fun birthday party for their kids. You can see how they got on here:

What do you think? Will you ditch the stress?

Thank you to Argos for working with What Katy Said