| The key to organizing a great birthday party for a child | | | | up flip-flops, glitter, cloth ribbon, stickers, neon fabric |
| - with your sanity intact - is keeping it simple and | | | | paint and anything else you think kids would like to |
| remembering that the most important thing to your | | | | decorate with. |
| child is having fun. If you aim for the perfect party, | | | | Then open the party with the shoe decoration and |
| odds are you'll only stress yourself. Stress is the | | | | everyone will have 1: personalized shoes; and 2: a |
| opposite of relaxed and enjoyable, which is what | | | | party favor they can take home and re-use - a |
| every good party needs to be. So. Don't over-plan, | | | | reminder of a great party. |
| overwork or over-worry. Keep the focus on fun. | | | | Make sure all the flip-flops are the same color - for |
| Alicia on "Fun being a State of Mind": | | | | one main reason: "I want blue!" "No, you take red!" |
| Forget perfect. Of course you want everyone to have | | | | Other great 2Fers include a candy-filled pinata; |
| a good time. But remember that these are kids and | | | | homemade cupcakes that the kids decorate; and |
| what seemed like a crisis minutes ago will be forgotten | | | | Polaroid pictures with Popsicle-stick frames. |
| as soon as the next fun thing begins. Think back to | | | | Parents, let us know of any other ideas you might think |
| your own childhood parties. Do you remember every | | | | of. |
| detail? Or just the fact that you had parties? The | | | | #2. E-vites |
| long-lasting memories you are creating are more about | | | | Save time and money by sending electronic invitations. |
| positive feelings than whether the clown showed up | | | | More and more parents are using e-mail, but even if |
| on time. | | | | there are some out there who are a bit e-shy, we |
| No matter what happens, just go with the flow. | | | | guarantee their kids are not. Save a tree; use a |
| Sarah on "The Kids' Section": | | | | computer. |
| When planning the party, break it up into sections. Start | | | | #3. E-tiquette |
| with a timetable. Once you've mapped out the basic | | | | It is important to teach our little ones good manners, |
| plan, write tasks on a to-do list. I love using the | | | | and that includes letting everyone know how grateful |
| Do&Delegate.list notebook from Buttoned Up for | | | | your child is that friends came and brought gifts. |
| my lists because it makes it easier to enlist the help of | | | | Again, the Internet may be the perfect vehicle. There is |
| my child and husband in tackling to-dos. When children | | | | somewhat of a debate about this. Some say the |
| help with the planning, they become an important part | | | | importance of thank-you notes automatically pushes |
| of the process and get a sense of ownership. | | | | this into the paper realm. If you feel this way, get blank |
| A few tips: | | | | note cards, markers and stamps - once again, at the |
| #1. 2Fers | | | | dollar store - and have some post-party fun with your |
| Make one activity with a take-home component the | | | | kids. If your child is just learning to write, consider |
| focus of the party, saving time and money (thus a | | | | fill-in-the-blank thank-you cards. |
| 2fer). For instance, go to the local dollar store and pick | | | | |