Themed partyware, special food boxes, themed food, decorations, helium balloons and those all important “Goodie-loot-party bags” don’t come cheap!  When it comes to holding a child’s birthday party at home, you better be inventive or dig deep!

During my son’s early years I began to dread the birthday party.  Everyone else asked everyone in the school class to their parties and I wasn’t going to get away with anything less.  To have up to thirty 6-year-olds marauding through your home on a Saturday afternoon (if it’s too cold for the garden) felt a nightmare in the making.

Just remember, on the whole, no child wants to receive an educational present.  They’re rare if they do.  If they’re received, best to keep them in a cupboard for re-gifting.  Great gifts include a DVD, CD, video game, book, football, sewing kit, voucher for the cinema, doll or action hero figure, depending on their age of course.

On one occasion, I can remember my son requesting a football party with a Barbie doll cake.  I thought it odd at the time, but now I look back I can see he was just running true to form.  Everything had to match – the paper plates, drink cups, napkins and table cloths.

The goodie/loot party bags were stuffed full of items such as fun pens, sweets, piece of cake, hats, blowers, whistles and anything I could get from the local party shop.  These days you’ll find everything you need online and the choice is much better.  Why not do yourself a favour and buy in bulk, you’ll need at least ten year’s worth!