They’ve changed a bit since I was little, apparently:
Hosting a birthday party for your child, ages 1-12 in ten easy steps:
1. Choose a theme.
2.
Buy invitations, cups, plates, napkins, spoons, tablecloths, balloons,
streamers, games, party favor bags, party favors, and prizes to fit the
theme. Get a class list from your child’s nursery or school, and send
each child an invitation to insure no hurt feelings.3. Order a
cake to match the theme, and buy drinks, ice cream and treats. Don’t
forget candles! Also, pick up some drinks and finger food for the
parents that inevitably will stay on to watch the little darlings enjoy
themselves.4. Graciously welcome each child and their parent
into your home. Herd the children into the designated party area and
keep them each busy with an ice-breaker game like Pin The Tail On The
Donkey, Twister, or Pop the Balloon. If there are any conflicts between
children, by all means DO NOT raise your voice to someone else’s child
or physically restrain them in any way. Stand by patiently with a
slight “no means no” frown on your face and in a sweet voice say things
like, “No no sweetie” and “Be nice to your guests sugar” while the
other mothers watch their child pull your child’s hair, poke their
eyes, and hit them.5. Go through half of the entertainment you
have planned. Notice that it is only 15 minutes into the 2 hour party
and realize you didn’t plan enough activities. Try to slow things down
with a video.6. Present opening time! Have a trashbag handy for
wrapping paper… the bows will be grabbed by the kids. Have a box or
bag handy for hiding the presents in once opened… out of sight out of
mind. Prepare yourself to wrestle the gifts away from each child.7. Cake and ice cream! Dish it out. Stand back.
8.
Hand out party favor bags as each child and parent leave. Thank them so
much for coming, the gift was your child’s favorite by far, you could
tell! Remember: Keep track of who gifted what so you know how much to
spend on their child when it’s their birthday.9. Give your child their presents. Clean while they break and or lose them all.
10. Relax, party’s over!
A.