The Perfect Birthday Party Mix

A few weeks back I read an article in the newspaper about how parents are throwing the wildest birthday parties for their children. Some are spending over 1,000 euros to have their child and friends spend a day in Disneyland Paris including hiring a limousine and chauffeur for the day. Now, I'm sure those children had a blast, but is it really necessary? In my opinion, no.

I'm all about throwing BIG and memorable parties, but for me this can just as easily be done at home and on a budget (I definitely come in under the 1,000 euro budget ;).

For me BIG stands for Be Involved Genuinely.

Not sure how to do this? Here are a few tips:

• involve the children in the preparations,
• make decorations together,
• come up with party games,
• be there and take part in the celebration,
• remember to have fun!

Mix up some (or all!) of these ingredients and create your own perfect birthday party mix.

• Get the kids involved and work on the party together.
  The preparations and anticipation are half the fun. Let your children decide on a color or a theme and build your party around that.


• Make decorations together.
  Paper chains are easy and fun to make and if you are not into crafts you can use balloons as an inexpensive and colorful decoration.


• Adapt party games to fit your theme.
  It doesn't have to be a tail pinned on a donkey. Instead, play "Pin a kiss on the frog" for a princess party or "musical islands" instead of musical chairs for a jungle safari birthday.


• Take part.
  Don't hide behind the camera but take part in the celebrations, be genuinely involved, play a game with the kids, dress up (you know you secretly want to), your children will love you for it. The secret ingredient is... YOU.


• And remember, the most important part is to have fun and make lasting memories!

What would you include in your perfect birthday party mix?