What is the first word that comes to mind when you’re planning a child’s party at your house? Probably STRESSFUL! We know that planning a child’s party is already a lot to handle but when it’s going to be at your house, that just adds 10x the stress. We’re going to address a list of problems that tend be stressors you may experience while planning a party that’s going to be at your house and follow them up with an easy solution to help you Nervous Nelly’s and Anxious Annie’s.
Problem: House Cleaning
The number one party host’s concern for most is the cleanliness of their house. And we know that doing it an hour before the guests arrive is an awful idea and will only stress you out even more.
Solution:
If you’re having a party with several kids, we wouldn’t bother doing any type of deep cleaning because your house is going to end up being a disaster zone within 10 minutes. But it you do feel obligated to do a thorough clean before the party takes place, then feel free. But please, DON’T WAIT TO CLEAN! I repeat don’t wait until the day of the party to clean your house. Instead write out a schedule a week prior to the party day of things you need to do around your house. By spreading out your cleaning tasks throughout the week, it makes it easier for you to focus on the more important things the day of the party!
Problem: Valuable Items
With kids running around and being carefree, something is bound to be broken or ruined and that’s the last thing you need to get upset about on a day that’s supposed to be happy.
Solution:
Grab everything that is importance to you or that you don’t want to be destroyed during the party and put it in a room that is not going to be accessible to the children that are attending the party.
Problem: Overspending
Parties can get very expensive and you can get carried away with decorations, food, and everything else a party requires and ending up spending wayyy more than you originally wanted to.
Solution:
Before you start purchasing things, budget and plan! This is so important because it will keep you from spending a large amount of money on unnecessary things that you didn’t plan on getting in the first place. We’ve placed a Budget Spreadsheet below you can go off of but feel free to change anything you need!
- Determine how many guests you are going to have
- How much do you actually want to spend all together?
- Write down everything you need for the party (decorations, food, party favors)
Tips
- Instead of purchasing invitations, create a Facebook Invitation for no cost (if the parent doesn’t have a Facebook profile, then you may have to send an invite in the mail)
- Don’t go overboard with decorations, less is more. And you won’t have as much to clean up once the party is over (and the kids won’t really care about them)
- There are so many DIY decorations that are super cool and cheap to make, so check those out before you go out and spend an arm and leg on everything.
(Below we’ve given you a few decoration ideas that will be easy to make and you may even have the materials in your house already)
Zip Tie Garland
This is a super cute decoration idea that’s not only easy to do but your kids will love doing this with you!
Material
- Colore Zip Cable Ties
- Scissors
Directions
- Take your first zip tie and make a circle, making sure that the tail is on the inside
- With the bottom end (opposite from the tail) pinch the bottom and make a point
- Once you have completed the first heart shape, loop the next one around the first cable tie and repeat the steps until you’ve got the garland length you want.
Tissue Paper Pom Poms
This one may only require a trip to your nearest dollar store and just a few dollars!
Materials
- Tissue Paper (any color you’d like)
- 24-gauge floral wire
- Scissors
Directions
- Stack 8 pieces of tissue paper, making 1.5 in. wide accordion folds (make sure your creasing every time you fold)
- Take a 18 inch piece of floral wire in half, then slip it over the middle of the folded tissue and twist
- With your scissors, round off each end of tissue paper
- Separate the tissue paper, pulling from the center
- Tie a length of monofilament to the wire for hanging
Glitter Balloons
Regular balloons are so last year! These glittery balloons will add that something extra that will make your party pop!
Materials
- Balloons
- Assorted glitter/sequins (if you have a child, you most likely have these laying around)
- Mod Podge
- Foam paint brush
- Large bowls
- Paper plates
Directions
- Using one of your paper plates, pour your glitter in and you can get creative as you want here by mixing different colors and textures of glitter or sequins
- Apply the mod podge to the bottom of the balloon going about ⅓ of the way up using the foam paint brush
- Evenly shake the glitter over the mod podged portion of the balloon
- Stand your balloons upright in the bowls and let dry
- Once dry, you can string them up on the ceiling or a light you may have
Problem: Destructive Kids
There’s 20 small children running around the house, creating commotion and a mess of course and you’re not really sure where Billy went. You can’t keep all the kids from going everything you don’t want them to be!
Solution:
Set up a designated “play area,” where all your games and activities are at. This will make it easier to keep an eye on your little party guests and keep them from wandering off to somewhere they shouldn’t and creating a huge mess.
Problem: Not being prepared when the party starts
The day of the party has arrived and you’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Once your guests have arrived, you want to be able to greet them and converse. These things are hard to do if you don’t have anyone to help out.
Solution:
Text or call a loyal friend or family member of yours to help out! This will make it easier for you and you’ll be able to engage with your guests and be part of the celebration instead of catering to everyone’s needs. By having someone help you, it will take so much stress off of your shoulders!
Conclusion
We know these aren’t all of the problems you may face when planning a house party, but we think these are a few that every party guest will come across at some point, whether it’s a party for a child or a party with adults! When you do have to face planning a house party, just make sure you give yourself plenty of time before the party to plan and organize. And remember, you don’t have to spend a fortune just to have a great party! Best of luck to all your future party hosts.
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The post How to Throw a House Party That Won’t Stress You Out appeared first on How to Plan a Party, Party Ideas & Activities.