Birthdays are such a special and exciting part of growing up. They’re not only a ton of fun, but they also act as a reminder that the person being celebrated is loved and appreciated! Though these are a day of joy, they can sometimes, whether planning or attending, come with stress. Figuring out how to respond to invitations or what to wear can become overwhelming, so read on and see some of our tips for success!
GOING TO A PARTY:
HOW TO RESPOND TO INVITES
When replying to an invitation, begin by sharing your gratitude with a message along the lines of, “Thank you for the invitation! We cannot wait to be a part of the special day!” It’s always polite to RSVP early– this can make it way easier for the parents throwing a party to plan! As simple as this seems, it’s often something that gets assumed and leaves parents to scramble and play detective– be sure to provide the name(s) of who will be attending! If you’d like to bring any of your children who were not explicitly invited, check in with the host beforehand to prevent any future awkwardness. PRO TIP: RSVP even if you cannot make it and thank the host for thinking of you.
GIFT ETIQUETTE
Unless it is otherwise noted, it’s traditional birthday party etiquette to bring a gift. If the invite says not to, then just enjoy the day! If you don’t know what to get as a gift, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask the parent what their child may like. PRO TIP: We recommend avoiding living gifts. While a new bearded dragon may be a joy for children, it’s also a very good way to make an enemy out of a fellow parent.
If you’re looking for present inspiration, check out this website: https://reviewed.usatoday.com/gift-guides/features/gifts-for-kids
WHAT TO WEAR
When selecting your party outfit, be sure to keep some key details in mind. Is there a theme? Are there any known activities planned? Usually wearing something casual and comfortable, such as a nice plain T-shirt and jeans, is perfect! Most of the time, you’ll want to wear something you can move around in — you never know what kind of crazy shenanigans you’ll endure!
HOSTING A PARTY:
HOW TO WORD INVITATIONS
When making the invites, include the name and the new age of the birthday kiddo! Boldly address necessary details such as location and time, and clarify when the party is over — parties are great but stragglers, not so much.
List an RSVP deadline with contact information – this will ease a ton of stress from planning and things like food estimations. PRO TIP: While paper invites can be wonderful sometimes, an e-vite, especially for larger parties, can make it super easy to keep track of the guest list!
Specify if parents are expected to stay (most parents with children under 5 will stay, but it’s always good to communicate that expectation clearly).
If you would rather no one bring gifts, it’s totally fine to say something like, “No presents please, just your presence.” If you are expecting a gift, only send a wish list when specifically asked for one. If not, this can be considered a bit rude and presumptive.
WHO TO INVITE
When figuring out who to invite, it’s good to start with a simple baseline question: would you like a big event or a quaint celebration? Consider the family/family friends who you’d like to join and who the day wouldn’t be complete without. Once children are school-aged, a new factor comes into play: do we invite the whole class? If you’re looking for a smaller gathering, it’s okay to invite just a couple of your kid’s friends. A good rule of thumb is that if you plan on inviting over half the class, invite everyone! This can help prevent hurt feelings and add to the fun!
HOW LONG SHOULD IT LAST?
The length of the party can be determined based on the age of the children. For toddlers, try between 1-1.5 hours. For older kids, about 5 and up, between 1.5-2 hours is a great length. If you’d like to have a longer celebration, just be sure to provide good snacks to munch on and entertainment to enjoy. This can look like games, crafts, a movie, or more!
THEME/ ACTIVITY IDEAS
Having an exciting theme can make the day extra special! If you have a child who loves Legos, try having a competition for who can build the best creation or get materials so the partygoers can build themselves as Lego figures—this also makes for an AWESOME party favor! For activities like this, make sure to keep the ages of all guests in mind—some of the small Lego pieces are a bit too little for toddlers. If you have a Disney-loving kiddo, try coloring pages, pin the carrot on the Olaf, and get a projector to make your living room or backyard into a private theater. Make it cozy with blankets for seating and perfect the night with a DIY movie snack bar.
It’s always important to have enough supervision, especially for more active parties! If you plan on having an employee, such as your nanny, assist on the day of, it is common to offer them some additional compensation for the extra duties provided. This is especially true if you plan on a nanny handling most of the supervision.
For summer birthdays, a memorable party can take place at the pool! If you go this route, ensure there is additional supervision. For tips on pool safety, click here: https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/how-to-have-a-safer-pool-party
THANK YOU NOTES
If you choose to open presents at the party, have your kiddo thank the gift giver during this time. Have someone keep a list of who gave what so when it comes time to write your cards, there is no confusion!
Grandparents and other extended family members are typically supposed to be the priority when sending out thank-you notes. School and family friends should be quick to follow. While this is not a strict rule, many folks enjoy getting a handwritten card. Address who it’s for, thank them for coming and for what they got you, say why you loved it, and send them warm wishes!
Do you need help planning your child’s next birthday party or are you looking for some ideas to bring this kind of birthday magic into your kid’s everyday lives? Think about reaching out to find a fun childcare specialist today! The Nanny Authority can be reached at (973) 466-2669 or info@nannyauthority.com.