One Thing To Remember After The Party

Image credit: sxc.hu

I love the idea of handwritten thank you notes but, honestly, who has the time for that? Running around after two very active children means that by the end of the day I am exhausted – and that’s in a week that excludes any kind of party planning, never mind the actual Party Day.

That said, I believe it is important to thank the guests for attending and for the gifts they gave your precious one. Yes, you fed them and gave them party packs, but a thank you that acknowledges each person individually is special.

Image credit: sxc.hu

So, how do you say thank you in a techno-heavy world?

A text message, Whatsapp or BBM is short and sweet. You could also send a brief voice recording of your child saying thank you – which is a way to actively involve your child while teaching the importance of gratitude.

Email is another option. You could include some photos of the partygoer having fun, or of the birthday girl holding the gift and smiling. (If she doesn’t like the gift, make her smile anyway.)

Image credit: sxc.hu

A phone call is a personal way to say thank you. Use your free minutes and keep it short – you don’t have to have a long, involved conversation. “I’m just calling to say thanks for coming to the party and for Poppet’s pony*,” lets the person know they’re not going to be talking for hours. Even better, have your child phone the other child. (If you’re like me and hate talking on the phone, this is the option for you.)

*Please, no one buy Poppet a pony for her birthday.

What are your thoughts on thank you notes?

2 Things To Keep In Mind On Party Day

Image credit: sxc.hu

What mom isn’t stressed on the day of the party? If you’re anything like me, you’ve got an endless mental to-do list and heaven help the poor person who gets in your way. On the day of Poppet’s second party, I was heavily pregnant and on hormonal overload, and losing the fight with a batch of icing. My mother told me to stop being Mama Grumpy Pants – though not in those exact words – and hug my husband instead of glaring at him. So, if you’re feeling a bit of a Grumpy Pants yourself, here are two things to keep in mind.

1. It’s a party, not a wake

It’s supposed to be a fun day. So what if you didn’t get all the balloons up or the icing looks a bit iffy? Find yourself a spot to sit down, put your feet up, and watch your child have a blast. Find a mommy friend to talk to and enjoy yourself.

Image credit: sxc.hu

You don’t want to be the only one in the photos not smiling, do you?

2. There is no script

Forget the mental to-do list. Go with the flow. If the kids would rather bounce on the jumping castle than play Pass the Parcel, let them.

Relax.

Sit down.

Have a cupcake. You’ve earned it.

Image credit: sxc.hu

Do you get stressed on Party Day?

3 Free Party Venues

 

… for when you can’t afford to have it here.

Birthday parties are expensive. Snacks and drinks and cakes and entertainment – who wants to pay for a venue on top of all that? (Hint: not me.) Here are three free venues to help ease your birthday budget.

1. Someone’s garden

Image credit: sxc.hu

For the first two years of Poppet’s life, we lived in a third-floor flat with a teeny balcony. Not the best party venue. By the time Pixie arrived, we were in a simplex with a small garden; better, but still not ideal. Fortunately, both sets of grandparents have houses with large gardens and swimming pools. All birthday parties thus far have taken place at either Oupa and Oumie’s or Nana and Grampa’s houses.

2. The beach

This obviously only goes for those living at or near the coast. Unless it’s Cape Town and winter, in which case: sorry for you.

Image credit: sxc.hu

I’m not much of a beach girl. Sand everywhere, eau du sunblock, a tan that always starts bright red before skipping brown and going straight back to white, and people, people everywhere. But I still think a beach party sounds like a lot of fun. For someone else.

3. A park

We love picnics. Hubby proposed on a picnic, we had a picnic engagement party, and we have picnic tea parties (indoors and outdoors) with the girls. Poppet’s first birthday party was actually a Teddy Bear’s Picnic theme in my in-laws garden.

Image credit: sxc.hu

Some parks charge an admission – Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, I’m looking at you. And you, Modderfontein Nature Reserve – but you can find plenty of parks that don’t. Horwood’s Farm is one. And the last time I checked, Gilloolly’s Farm and Emmarentia Botanical Gardens were also still free.

Plus, if it’s a picnic you can add “bring your own basket” to the invitation and cut your party costs.

Where is your favourite party venue?

4 Alternatives To Party Packs

Image credit: sxc.hu

In a previous post, I wrote about party packs possibly turning into a war between moms. As much as I joked with one of my friends about getting revenge for Pixie’s Fizzer-induced sugar high earlier this year, I have decided not to do party packs for either of the girls’ parties. (Apologies to the parents who were hoping to raid them.)

(Also, you’re welcome.)

Here are a few alternatives to a sugar rush:

1. A T-shirt

Mr Price, Ackermans, PEP and JET all have nice T-shirts for R40 or less. Roll it up and tie with a ribbon, or put it in a plain gift bag. Even with some form of packaging, it will probably work out cheaper than doing party packs. Just make sure to leave the tag on in case your size estimates are a bit off.

2. Bubbles

Every child I have ever met has loved bubbles. Okay, so some were a bit scared of them at first, but once they figured out the bubbles wouldn’t hurt, they wanted to play. This is a cheaper alternative to a bag of sweets.

Image credit: sxc.hu

3. Stickers

Stationery shops, the Crazy Store and Evermore all have a wide variety of stickers. Give each guest a sheet of stickers to match the party’s theme. Again, less expensive than a party pack.

4. A make-at-the-party take-home craft

This has the added benefit of keeping the children occupied for a while. It can be anything: icing cupcakes, making masks, decorating fairy wings – whatever matches the theme.

Image credit: sxc.hu

Do you do party packs?

5 Fun Birthday Traditions

Image credit: sxc.hu

Birthdays are big in Casa Zombie. And when I say big, I mean BIG. Not in the sense of going all out and partying until we drop, but big in the sense that we like to celebrate the person and the blessing that he or she is.

Here are some fun ideas for birthday traditions:

1. Birthday Week

When Hubby and I got started dating again in 2008 (a long story for another time) I instituted Birthday Week. (I like the idea of Birthday Month, which unfortunately isn’t going to happen until we’re millionaires.) Birthday Week is simply a celebration of the Birthday Boy/Girl for the entire week leading up to the actual birthday. We give a small gift on each day, nothing super fancy – just something that says, “You’re amazing and I love you.”

2. A special birthday meal

Weekday mornings are just a little bit chaotic in our house, so as much as breakfast in bed sounds like a good idea, it’s not really practical. The Birthday Boy/Girl gets to choose whatever they want for supper. Poppet and Pixie are getting to the ages where they have definite likes and dislikes, so I can see myself serving something like cornflakes or yoghurt for supper. (Maybe we’ll save this for when they’re a bit older and, hopefully, more reasonable with their meal requests.)

3. Princess for a day

What little girl doesn’t want to wear a tiara all day? Mine would do it all day, every day, if that was an option. Heck, so I would I. (I’m somewhat obsessed with Downton Abbey these days. I want to wear Edwardian dresses and tiaras and jewels and live in a castle. I wouldn’t mind being called m’lady, either.)

Image credit: sxc.hu

4. Birthday buttons

Party shops have bright buttons in various sizes with all sorts of birthday messages. And why wear it just for one day – if you’re doing birthday week, let them wear it all week!

5. Birthday countdown

This is especially exciting for younger kids as a way to help them “count the sleeps” before the big day. There are so many ways to do it – balloons to pop, paper chains, an actual calendar to mark off the dates . . .

Image credit: sxc.hu

Do you have any special birthday traditions?

6 Classic Party Games That Still Rock

If you’re not having a pool party or hiring a jumping castle or other entertainment, you’re going to want to have a few party games to keep the children busy. (And to burn off some energy to counter all the sweets they will be consuming.)

Here are some of my favourite party games:

1. Pass the parcel

You can’t go wrong with this game. Wrap an inexpensive prize in layers of newspaper – make sure there’s enough for each guest to have at least one chance to unwrap a layer. Stick a sweet in each layer and everyone’s a winner!

Requirements: music, a unisex gift

How to play: The guests sit in a circle and pass the parcel around while the music plays. Whoever is holding the parcel when the music stops, unwraps a layer.

2. Pin the tail on the donkey

Image credit: sxc.hu

Or bow on Hello Kitty, or whatever the theme requires.

Requirements: a large image of something, enough ‘pins’ for each guest, a prize

How to play: Each guest has a turn to stick their ‘pin’ on the image while blindfolded. Whoever gets closest to the mark, wins the prize.

3. Musical statues

Image credit: sxc.hu

Because what kid doesn’t like running around like a crazy person?

Requirements: space, music, a prize

How to play: The guests dance or run around or do some kind of movement while the music plays. Anyone caught moving or twitching when the music has stopped is out. The last person left in the game wins.

4. Duck, duck, goose

Image credit: sxc.hu

Another simple game that doesn’t require any preparation and can be adapted to suit the party’s theme.

Requirements: none

How to play: Guests sit in a circle. The ‘goose’ walks around calling out, “Duck, duck, duck,” while tapping each guest’s head. When the ‘goose’ calls, “Goose!” the person who has been tapped chases the ‘goose’ around the circle. If the ‘goose’ sits down before being caught, the other player becomes the ‘goose’. And so on, until the children tire of the game.

5. Frozen chocolate race

Image credit: sxc.hu

I have no idea what this game is actually called, but I love it.

Requirements: a slab of chocolate, a knife and fork, an oversized hat, shirt and pair of gloves, an object to pass around, music

How to play: Freeze a slab of chocolate so that it’s nice and hard. The guests sit in a circle and pass an object while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the object must don the dress-up items and try to cut a piece of the slab of chocolate using the knife and fork. The person has as long as the music plays to attempt this. When the music stops, another player takes over. The person may eat whatever chocolate has been successfully cut off the slab.

6. Stuck in the mud

Image credit: sxc.hu

Another easy game that everyone loves. It is probably not the best idea if there are girls in princess dresses, though.

Requirements: space

How to play: One person is ‘on’ and chases the other guests. Whoever is caught must freeze with legs akimbo until another player crawls through their legs to free them.

What is your favourite children’s party game?

7 Great (Inexpensive) Gift Ideas For Girls

Your child has been invited to a birthday party. You’re pinching pennies but still want to give the birthday girl a special present. Your mind is blank, the party is a few days away, and you’re stuck for ideas. Dear zombie, this post is for you.

1. Hair accessories

Clips, hair bands, alice bands, head bands, sparkly things – most shops will have an assortment of hair accessories. The elaborate ones tend to be pricy, but most are reasonable. And what little girl doesn’t want something pretty for her hair? This works as a gift for girls of all ages, even hairless babies, because they’ll keep until needed.

2. Stickers

My girls love stickers. When they get hold of a sheet, nothing is safe. I have to pick stickers off the floor, couch, their clothes, their hair, the washing machine. They use stickers when they do crafts, when they play “Teacher”, when they make cards. Stickers, in our house at least, are always going to be received with glee.

3. Nail polish

Pastel colours and glitter polish are the way to go, especially if the girl in question is a tween or younger. Poppet likes to have her nails painted, though she still struggles to sit still while the polish dries, and her fingernails don’t last too long before the paint chips. Pixie is starting to get interested, but she can only sit still for a single coat of polish.

4. Dress-up clothes and accessories

Costume jewellery isn’t too expensive. The Crazy Store and Evermore are two of my favourite places to shop for random dress-up accessories. Hats, masks, feather boas, handbags . . . You can also find some great dress-up outfits at thrift stores. I’m not talking about princess dresses or character costumes, but there are a lot of gems in the form of vintage clothing just waiting to be discovered. You can also find gloves, scarves and jewellery at cheap prices.

5. Bubble bath

It is never too early for a girl to appreciate the luxury of bubbles, especially if it’s character bubble bath. Bonus points to you if you give her bubble bath that fits the theme of her party.

6. A pretty photo frame

Again, a gift for all age groups. Moms can put a special baby photo in a frame gifted to a toddler, schoolgirls can frame a picture of their BFF, teens can frame a photo of their hunk du jour. But giving a frame with a photo already in it can also be something special.

7. A cupcake kit

Obviously, this only applies if the birthday girl enjoys baking. Snowflake has a fun range of themed cupcake kits that aren’t expensive. This is probably more suited to an older child rather than a toddler – unless the toddler’s mom also likes baking. (I like baking, by the way.)

What other gift ideas would you suggest?

8 Things Your Child’s Party Doesn’t Really Need

Image credit: sxc.hu

You want to give your child a party to remember, but your budget means your choices are limited. Here are a few things your child’s party can do without while still being a lot of fun.

1. An events company

I know, I know, organising a birthday party when life is already so crazy-busy is the last thing you really want to do, but it’s not as much work as you think it is. You do not need to hire a party planner– it’s not a wedding. Think of all the “dead” time you can use for your preparation– waiting outside school, waiting as your child takes an hour to finish her sandwich, waiting at extra murals, waiting for your sleep thief to stop jumping around in her cot at 1 a.m. . .  I have most of my best ideas in the middle of the night. (Thanks, Pixie, for the sacrifice you make for Mommy’s creativity.)

You are an amazing mama – you can do it yourself (with Hubby’s help, of course, and possibly extra coffee).

2. An over-the-top theme

I love Pinterest as much as the next mom, but there’s so much pressure to keep up with all superbly decorated and photographed parties that are pinned. While the grown-ups in attendance will ooh and ahh at the elegant dècor and cute table settings, the kids are not going to care. If they do comment, it will be something like, “Cool,” and the thought will be forgotten as they rush off to play, shoving sweets into their mouths.

Keep it simple. Your bank account as well as your sanity depend upon it.

3. A professional cake

I like to bake my daughters’ cakes. They look like I baked them. In some places the icing is a bit iffy, my kitchen looks a bit like a warzone, and the house smells amazing. It’s more work to bake a cake yourself, but it’s a lot cheaper than a professionally-made cake.

Pixie’s first birthday had a ladybug theme.

4. A zillion guests

Poppet wanted to invite her entire school to her third birthday party. I sent sweets and cupcakes for her class instead. The party-goers were limited to close friends and family.

5. A jumping castle

Poppet’s second birthday party.

Yes, the kids love it, but if you’re on a tight budget, then it’s around R600 you can save. They (probably) won’t even notice it’s not there, especially if you have some games planned to keep them occupied.

6. Professional entertainment

If money’s not an issue, then go for it. Just be careful who you hire.

You really don’t want this guy there. (Image credit: horrorhomework.com)

You can always get some inexpensive face paint and rope a family member into painting the kids’ faces.

7. Too much to do

The kids will entertain themselves. Too many party games and not enough free play is just added stress for you.

8. Too much to eat

Stick to a few food items you know the guests will eat, otherwise you’ll end up with a lot of leftover junk food. And if it’s sitting around in your kitchen, you’re probably going to eat it it.

Image credit: sxc.hu

What would you add to this list?

9 Ways To Throw An Awesome Party On A Budget

If there’s one thing I’ve learned with four birthday parties on my mommy resumé, it’s that parties are expensive. Even without all the bells and whistles, hosting a party makes a sizeable dent in one’s budget. But, fear not, dear zombies, it is possible to throw a fabulous party without selling one of your kidneys on the black market.

1. Have it at home

Image credit: sxc.hu

Party venues are cool. There are farmyard venues and play venues and princess venues – and they cost a fortune to hire. But all you really need is a backyard, perhaps a swimming pool, and you’re all set. We don’t have a garden big enough for a horde of sugared-up children to run wild, so we’ve used our parents’ houses to host our daughters’ parties.

2. Email invitations and thank you notes

Themed invitations are very pretty. They’re also unneccessarily expensive and you probably won’t use all of them, leaving you with the dilemma of what to do with the extras. You don’t need fancy Photoshop skills to design your own. I just grab a picture off the Internet and make up an invitation in Powerpoint. Easy peasy. Plus, you’re saving the forest.

3. Don’t have it over lunchtime

If your kids are little, you’ll be catering for their friends’ parents too. If your party is at a mealtime, your guests will probably expect more than the snacks laid out for them. Which brings me to my next point . . .

4. Don’t feed the grown ups

It’s a children’s party. Don’t feel obliged to provide adult-friendly snacks. Biltong and pretzels will do. Besides, what grown up is going to resist the kiddies’ snack table anyway? (Not me.)

Image credit: sxc.hu

5. Ask your friends to help

Some of your friends may offer to help. Take them up on this! When my friends or family members ask me what they can do, I always ask them to bring a plate of eats – which solves the problem of what goes on the grown ups’ table.

6. Simplify the décor

Let’s be honest: we don’t decorate for the kids. We decorate for the other moms. But do we really need an elaborate centrepiece and themed paperware? Are the kids even going to notice their chairs have covers? Whatever happened to a simple picnic blanket on the grass? Plain, coloured paper plates and cups work just as well as the ones with pictures on. Add a few balloons and you’re good to go.

Image credit: sxc.hu

7. Stick to the essentials

Is that piñata really necessary? Do you need 20 different snack options? Will it kill your child not to have her entire class at her party?

(The answer, in case you’re wondering, is no.)

Image credit: sxc.hu

8. Don’t provide party packs

I suspect that party packs were invented as a form of passive aggressive revenge between moms. “You gave us 10 suckers so we’ll give you 11. Ha! Enjoy the sugar rush!” In our house, Hubby and I raid the party packs. For the girls’ good, of course.

This year, I have decided not to provide party packs. Poppet’s friends will be receiving a handmade item when they go home from her party. (You’re welcome, friends.)

9. Make your own cake

I don’t know what I would do without Ina Paarman, some butter icing and an edible print. Voilá! A birthday cake for about R100. (And a feeling of accomplishment that’s priceless, really.)

What tips would you share?

10 Healthy Snack Options For Kids’ Parties

 

With Poppet’s birthday this month, and Pixie’s next month, I’ve had parties on my brain for a while. Poppet has been planning her parties since she was two – yes, really! – giving strict instructions on the guest list (I had to put my foot down when she wanted her whole school last year), the cake (chocolate, even though she doesn’t eat cake herself), and what snacks to serve (“Sweets, Mommy!”). She is already starting to talk about next year’s party – and we haven’t even had this year’s yet!

Over the next two weeks, I’ll be doing a party series, which I hope you’ll find helpful the next time you’re planning your little one’s special day. First up: some healthier options for the snack table.

1. Fruit kebabs

 

Image credit: http://www.aldi.co.uk

This shouldn’t be too expensive if you stick to what’s in season. My girls are fruitaholics so they love these.

2. Veggie crudites with hummus dip

Cucumber and carrot sticks, baby corn, cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers . . . mmmm.

3. Popcorn

Image credit: en.wikipedia.org

It takes two minutes in the microwave. Serve it unsalted – the kids won’t mind.

4. Carrot cupcakes

Image credit: gimmesomeoven.com

Put some cream cheese icing on a carrot muffin and voila – a cupcake!

5. Frozen yoghurt popsicles

Image credit: nutrivize.com

You can add some chopped fruit before freezing to boost the yumminess factor.

6. Roast veggie chips

Image credit: drgullo.com

Forget all the MSG-riddled rubbish, pop some sliced sweet potato, butternut and parsnips in the oven to roast. Delish!

7. A watermelon boat

Image credit: http://www.partyblog.mygrafico.com

A bit of effort, but how cool is this boat? If you’d rather, just serve sliced watermelon.

8. Pretzels

Image credit: http://www.photo-dictionary.com

Poppet and Pixie love pretzels and could easily polish off the whole bag if I’d let them.

9. Chocolate-dipped strawberries

Image credit: threesbarandgrill.com

Always a winning combination.

10. Biltong

Image credit: themarketbarrow.co.za

You can’t get more South African than this.

What would you add to the list?