10 top tips for winter parties

We are first approaching the last of our three children’s winter birthdays.

In the past we have tried to convince them to postpone parties until the summer where we might stand a slightly better chance of fine weather….but then again ….you can never guarantee the weather.

It has got slightly easier with the older two as a pizza, film and sleepover now is all they really want.

For the youngest, who will be turning six, we have decided to book the village hall for his party.

So here are my top tips:

Dressing up – if they like it go for it, princesses, super heros it can give you a theme to work with.
Have something to start even if it’s just some simple craft or colouring so the children all have something to do while everyone arrives.
Games – lots and they can have small prizes or they don’t need to it’s completely up to you. I have found that musical statues, port starboard, traffic lights jumping onto bits of newspaper and pass the parcel are all great for the younger ones.
As they get older, the chocolate game, teams ripping newspaper sheets into shapes and pass the parcel with forfeits.
Lots of games can be adapted to themes so port and starboard where the children run to the left or the right, climb the rigging etc can be changed. So, for example, if it was a Toy Story themed party the corners of the room could be characters. Other things could be to stand like Buzz shouting to infinity and beyond, slinky where the children lay on the floor moving like the slinky dog etc. Let your imagination loose.
Depending where you live you can hold a party at home or in a local hall which has the advantage of giving you a bit more space but the disadvantage of having to get everything there.
Party bags are completely optional; I know people who do and people who don’t. Personally I have found a piece of cake and a small gift to take home, which can be chosen from a lucky dip, perfectly adequate.
Torch walks can be good fun too when it’s dark but make sure there are some extra adults in case you have children who are scared and so you don’t lose anyone.
Food – can be as simple or as complicated as you like. We have attended parties where everything is homemade, some where nothing is and like ours a mixture of the two.
If you are blessed with summer birthdays feel free to use the ideas but enjoy the outside as well. Treasure hunts and races can be fun and nothing wrong with a picnic at the park if you want to keep things simple.
Whatever you opt for, the aim is to have fun – not stress yourself out or break the bank; go with what feels right for you and your family.

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / freedigitalphotos.net