Tips please on hosting a birthday party! Post Reply

[New to Earlsfield]

My daughters fourth birthday is coming up, we are hosting at home and have booked an entertainer. Just wanted some tips on the following:

No of children - what is reasonable?! I was thinking not more than 10.
Birthday tea - what actually gets eaten? I don't want to send children home hungry but keen to avoid sugar highs.
length of party - is 2hrs ok? The entertainer is here for an hour and then thought we would do tea.
Party bags - any good shops or websites anyone can recommend? Any good toys that go down well (and are not thrown away after the sweets have been eaten!)

Appreciate your advice!

[nuttymummy]

10 at max sounds about right! 2 hours is also good (though some these days only do an hour & a half). My usual 'menu' is: cocktail sausages, houmus dip with carrot, cucumber & pepper sticks, hula hoops/Pom bears & some cheese bricks/baby bel. Obv there is cake for pudding!! In my experience they are really too excited to eat anything much so it's not worth breaking your back over!!

[nuttymummy]

Forgot to say re 'party bags'.... You can get really great deals on book collections from Book people /red house etc which can work out cheaper than a normal 'party bag' & is actually something worthwhile for them to take home. Between that & a packet of choc buttons or similar they should be happy!!

[New to Earlsfield]

Thank you very much!

[SJ1979]

We are hosting our daughter's at home this year, 10 max guests including her, and 2 hours long.

For the party bags, I wanted something that wouldn't get thrown away either, as most party bag toys do. I got some lego friends mini sets (currently 3 for £6 from Sainsbury's at the moment) to go in the bags with a packet of chocolate buttons. Or how about a Mr Men book each. Last year we got Cath Kidston mugs on sale and filled with sweets.

Face painting is also a good time filler as well, if you or your entertainer can do it.

Hope your daughter has fun.