Monkey is my 6th child. I've learned a few things about what makes a good birthday party. Each decision comes down to 3 things: truth, limits and compromise.
Some starter Truths:
Do party prep and clean up the day & night before. It all will take longer, hours longer then you think! You might stress a bit. Its OK, we are moms, we do that. Most will have husbands that go to bed perfectly relaxed. They will not be stressed. Take a page from his book and go snuggle in bed. (I didn't, I should have lol). You will not take all my advice, or all of anyones. Some things you'll insist on learning on your own. That's OK. We are human moms, not demi gods.
Some starter Truths:
Do party prep and clean up the day & night before. It all will take longer, hours longer then you think! You might stress a bit. Its OK, we are moms, we do that. Most will have husbands that go to bed perfectly relaxed. They will not be stressed. Take a page from his book and go snuggle in bed. (I didn't, I should have lol). You will not take all my advice, or all of anyones. Some things you'll insist on learning on your own. That's OK. We are human moms, not demi gods.
How old is the birthday person?
Monkey is one (in a few days). What makes a good birthday depends on age.
•truth: 1 guest per year is not a good idea. Do you want 16 teens at your child's 16th bday? No! I promise you don't. That's a stupid rule, don't use it.
•limits: limit the guest list. A 1 yrs old doesn't care if you invited everyone they have ever met. They won't even remember it. We are inviting grandparents only. A huge guest list for babies and toddlers usually results in a meltdown.
•truth: not only will Monkey not remember all (well any) details of this party but you and the guests will only remember a few details. My 19 yrs olds 1st bday, I remember she screamed when she touched the icing. The cake wasn't smashed. We laugh about it now. I also remember she got an adorable ladybug outfit that I loved dressing her in.
•compromise: everyone not invited can see pics. They well ooh and ahh.
•compromise: pick the right time. We aren't celebrating on the day. Its not a must, chose a day that works, likely a weekend. Monkey is 1, so evenings are not a good time. The party will be a noon when he is least likely to be cranky.
Monkey is one (in a few days). What makes a good birthday depends on age.
•truth: 1 guest per year is not a good idea. Do you want 16 teens at your child's 16th bday? No! I promise you don't. That's a stupid rule, don't use it.
•limits: limit the guest list. A 1 yrs old doesn't care if you invited everyone they have ever met. They won't even remember it. We are inviting grandparents only. A huge guest list for babies and toddlers usually results in a meltdown.
•truth: not only will Monkey not remember all (well any) details of this party but you and the guests will only remember a few details. My 19 yrs olds 1st bday, I remember she screamed when she touched the icing. The cake wasn't smashed. We laugh about it now. I also remember she got an adorable ladybug outfit that I loved dressing her in.
•compromise: everyone not invited can see pics. They well ooh and ahh.
•compromise: pick the right time. We aren't celebrating on the day. Its not a must, chose a day that works, likely a weekend. Monkey is 1, so evenings are not a good time. The party will be a noon when he is least likely to be cranky.
What are your skills?
•truth: I am not a professional cake decorator, party organizer etc.
•limits: yes make a few awesome things so you and your guests are impressed.
•compromise: buy some snacky things that are premade and just need to be heated. You want time to enjoy this day. We bought sugar donuts, quiche and samosas. I made garlic bread and summer chicken salad wraps (recipe at bottom).
•compromise: ask someone special to bring something. They will like being included, unless its over the top.
•truth: I am not a professional cake decorator, party organizer etc.
•limits: yes make a few awesome things so you and your guests are impressed.
•compromise: buy some snacky things that are premade and just need to be heated. You want time to enjoy this day. We bought sugar donuts, quiche and samosas. I made garlic bread and summer chicken salad wraps (recipe at bottom).
•compromise: ask someone special to bring something. They will like being included, unless its over the top.
Cake:
•truth: everyone knows I'm not a professional cake decorator. I choose easy patterns, used cookie cutters for shapes, and watched you tube videos. It doesn't look pro but it still looks pretty awesome.
•limits: my new oven and I aren't best friends yet so I used a box cake and did the decoration myself.
•compromise: I am happy with an awesome cake by an average mom, it doesn't have to look pro to be awesome.
•truth: The not as good side is facing the wall.
•truth: everyone knows I'm not a professional cake decorator. I choose easy patterns, used cookie cutters for shapes, and watched you tube videos. It doesn't look pro but it still looks pretty awesome.
•limits: my new oven and I aren't best friends yet so I used a box cake and did the decoration myself.
•compromise: I am happy with an awesome cake by an average mom, it doesn't have to look pro to be awesome.
•truth: The not as good side is facing the wall.
Decorations:
•truth: again, not gonna be remembered outside of the pics you take.
•limit: stay within your budget! It's a birthday.
•compromise: again. Not pro. Do what you can make look good! A simple streamer design, matching table covering, paper plates, accessories.
•limits: don't go over the top. Simple will look better.
•truth: again, not gonna be remembered outside of the pics you take.
•limit: stay within your budget! It's a birthday.
•compromise: again. Not pro. Do what you can make look good! A simple streamer design, matching table covering, paper plates, accessories.
•limits: don't go over the top. Simple will look better.
Gifts:
•limits: kids are easily overwhelmed. Keep it simple, gifts too. We have picked one from us.
•truth: what does birthday person really like? Monkey loves the vacuum, not the super cool new fads. So for him a fisher-price corn Popper toy like we had when little.
•compromise: let your guests decide what to get. Its fun; for them, they likely want to do that. If asked for ideas, give a few ideas. If asked for a specific; give one....one! If they want more they will say so. Yes if there are big no-nos, say so, with tack.
•truth: children, especially boys can make a toy gun out if anything! I swear, they are like mini McGuiver's on this. Ban them from the gift list if you want, but your kids will still make one, even out of their hands and finger.
•limits: kids are easily overwhelmed. Keep it simple, gifts too. We have picked one from us.
•truth: what does birthday person really like? Monkey loves the vacuum, not the super cool new fads. So for him a fisher-price corn Popper toy like we had when little.
•compromise: let your guests decide what to get. Its fun; for them, they likely want to do that. If asked for ideas, give a few ideas. If asked for a specific; give one....one! If they want more they will say so. Yes if there are big no-nos, say so, with tack.
•truth: children, especially boys can make a toy gun out if anything! I swear, they are like mini McGuiver's on this. Ban them from the gift list if you want, but your kids will still make one, even out of their hands and finger.
Birthday Outfit:
Truth: what's your budget? Its only gonna fit 6 months.
Comprise: baby, toddlers and kids want to play. You might want a fancy outfit, but choose one that is comfortable on the kid. Or go for cute over fancy
Limits: you can't have it all (red carpet outfit, smashed cake, non ruined red carpet outfit). Use a bib, a big one.
Truth: what's your budget? Its only gonna fit 6 months.
Comprise: baby, toddlers and kids want to play. You might want a fancy outfit, but choose one that is comfortable on the kid. Or go for cute over fancy
Limits: you can't have it all (red carpet outfit, smashed cake, non ruined red carpet outfit). Use a bib, a big one.
Some social truths:
•if you invite your kids whole class (school age), or your 50 "closest friends" etc; people will see this as a cash grab.
•this isn't a free stock up on everything you want for your child's coming year; if you expect 26 things you really want; people will be offended.
•this isn't the event of the year (except to you), 1.5-2 hours is great. If out of town family wants to visit more, let them. Just them gets to stay and catch up.
•the 1st birthday is mostly about family (blood, marriage or chosen). If baby or toddler needs to nap, let them nap. Your family wants to see happy baby and you. Not crying baby. Naps happen. Go with it and enjoy some adult time.
•if you invite your kids whole class (school age), or your 50 "closest friends" etc; people will see this as a cash grab.
•this isn't a free stock up on everything you want for your child's coming year; if you expect 26 things you really want; people will be offended.
•this isn't the event of the year (except to you), 1.5-2 hours is great. If out of town family wants to visit more, let them. Just them gets to stay and catch up.
•the 1st birthday is mostly about family (blood, marriage or chosen). If baby or toddler needs to nap, let them nap. Your family wants to see happy baby and you. Not crying baby. Naps happen. Go with it and enjoy some adult time.
Reality Check:
•truth: if you play cruise ship coordinator or try to do to much, you will miss much of the party and totally regret it.
•truth: if you play cruise ship coordinator or try to do to much, you will miss much of the party and totally regret it.
All right, hope that helps you have a great birthday filled with the best of memories.
Summer Chicken Salad Wraps:
(My own creation, so there are no measurements, I just throw it together. Its OK, you can cook this way, I promise it won't go wrong)
•Cream cheese
•mayo
•cucumber
•cherry tomatoes
•chicken
•lemon
•dill
(My own creation, so there are no measurements, I just throw it together. Its OK, you can cook this way, I promise it won't go wrong)
•Cream cheese
•mayo
•cucumber
•cherry tomatoes
•chicken
•lemon
•dill
- cream together equal parts mayo and cream cheese.
-chop finely (or food processor but I don't have one) cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and cooked chicken
-mix into cream cheese - mayo.
-add in lemon juice and dill.
-chop finely (or food processor but I don't have one) cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and cooked chicken
-mix into cream cheese - mayo.
-add in lemon juice and dill.
Now put in wraps, roll, toothpick and cut in half. Also good in a bowl in fridge for quick sandwiches.
No comments:
Post a Comment