Monday 9 May 2016

Party Pressure - It Started with a Cake.

It all started with a cake. 

So it's that time of year again.......party time. Arghhhhh. Last year I felt quite stressed by the whole thing, probably something to do with having to organise a 3 years olds party 6 weeks after giving birth. I needn't have been worried as last year he had such a good time but I think there is a bit of pressure on trying to keep not only your child happy but entertaining family and friends too. I know I shouldn't get stressed, it's a kids party but flipping heck they take a bit of organising and I dread to think what next years will be like. So yes, I'm stressing again.


Alfie, this year is quite demanding. I didn't think we'd be having these sort of demands for another few years......how wrong was I. He's been talking about his birthday for a good couple of months now, I think because we'd been talking about Elarna turning 1 he's jumped on the bandwagon and is uber excited for his 4th birthday. So far I think every day he has asked if his birthday is tomorrow.......bless him.


You see it all started with a cake. My first question to Alfie was what sort of birthday cake would you like. I figured if I knew what sort of cake he'd like, the party theme would closely follow and then it would all be simple. To begin with he'd said he would like an animal cake but then it changed to paw patrol which then changed to dinosaurs.......specifically The Good Dinosaur. 

We'd watched the film a few times and Alfie loves it so it was decided that this would be a good theme. I'm not one to theme everything around this, I just don't think I'm creative enough, I know there is tons of inspiration on Pinterest and I should probably try some of the ideas out but I don't know if I could ever pull off some of the creations. I might try some of the simpler ones but things like the cake are definitely being left to the experts. Thankfully this was not an issue and I knew exactly who to ask to make Alfie's cake. Ginny from Tiger Lily Cake Company was free on the date needed and more than happy to make a cake for Alfie again (she actually lives where we used to live in Suffolk, but for her cakes I'm willing to travel!).......to see what she made for Alfie last year click here! So as I said Alfie decided he would like a Good Dinosaur cake and has been very helpful in telling me the sort of thing he would like. So once I knew that the cake was sorted it's been a case of thinking what else do I need to organise that will satisfy my nearly four year old!


The next thing stressing me a tad has been deciding do we hold the party at our house or do we pay to have it somewhere else. I have thought about this alot, on one hand I feel that it's probably going to be the last year that we don't have to invite a ton of people, I'm guessing once he starts school you end up having to invite a whole lot more people and then that then makes things tres expensive, however on the other hand having it somewhere else (e.g a softplay which would be my next choice) means no tidying, less mess and the venue generally provide the food. My main concern with this is that other than the price they usually require a minimum number and although we are inviting a few of Alfie's nursery friends I can't guarantee that they would turn up. So I decided we are going to have it at our house and keep my fingers crossed that the weather is kind to us so I can direct people into the garden and away from being inside the house too much (in the hope that this will mean less tidying!).


Like I said Alfie has definitely been telling us what he'd like this year and his big request was for a bouncy castle (groan!!!). Choosing a bouncy castle is like me choosing makeup...... it takes time and there is a hell of alot to choose from! I had no idea there were so many varieties. I decided to let Alfie choose, after all he is the birthday boy. He was quite clear that he wanted a slide on it so it was between 2, a coloured one with a slide to the side or the more expensive dino one with a slide inside. I'm sure you can guess which one he chose....... So that's booked and one less thing to worry about. Next on the list to try and sort are the party supplies, party bags and the awful task of what they hell do I put them in, what food to serve and do we play party games (I'm still very much on the fence with this!). 



I've no idea why I stress so much about these things, I really shouldn't. The one and only thing I want is my boy to be happy and to have a wicked party. Obviously I know he will be delighted with a bouncy castle and seeing his friends but I do like to try and go the extra mile for him if I can. To be honest he would probably be happy with a slice of cake, some balloons and his bouncy castle! I just hope that his little friends turn up because it'll be lovely to see him playing with them all. 

So does anyone else get stressed about throwing kids parties or is it just me? Also.....any ideas what I can put in party bags??

30 comments:

  1. Parties definitely are stressful. I did my daughters 4th one at home with a bouncy castle and definitely felt the pressure for it to be a perfect Minnie Mouse party. This year for her 8th she had the option of a party or a weekend at the seaside. The seaside won thankfully! #marvmondays

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  2. Ooh I totally get this and I'm only organising...wait for it...a first birthday party. Which he won't remember in the slightest. And I've chosen an Up! theme for, you know, just to make things difficult. I am also keeping my fingers crossed for good weather, so let's both hope for the best!! I found your post via #MarvMondays :)

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  3. hehehe...Good luck! It sounds like he is full of ideas!
    I've never really stressed about my girls birthday parties. They have their birthdays during the summer holidays so a party is hard to organise so we just have a day out instead :D

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  4. So far I've enquired about booking our church hall for BB's birthday party in August - but that's as far as I've got! I've got absolutely no idea what we're going to actually DO in it! #marvmondays

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  5. eurgh I feel your pain hun. Arianna is already asking for a Frozen party and we have months to go!! I reckon it will be held at home unless we get enough to come to a small venue...maybe with a bouncy castle too!! I'm sure you will be fine and Alfie will love anything you do for him xx #marvmondays

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  6. Know exactly what you mean by the stress - we are organising a Paw Patrol part and gosh, we have about 10-15 kids coming (minimum...). Oops!

    I am looking forward to the party, not the clean up! :D

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  7. It's a lot to handle! There's almost an arms race feel to parties making big things like bouncy castles and elaborate themes seem like the norm. Our cubs' birthday parties have been more subdued with it being more about the adults there than the kids but as they get older this will change. Biggest worry is whether there will be any friends to invite!

    Bestandworst

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  8. Oh do not talk to me about parties!! I am already fretting for October and his 4th, he will have started school by then as well, somewhere new, with new friends, and I won't know anyone. Rare!!!xx

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  9. Awww I completely get this. I hate it!!! So far we have cruised on by with family and super close friend parties, but my son wants 'everything' for his 5th birthday in a few months. Now I will have to learn all the party/creche etiquette... who do you invite? How does it all work. DREADING something that should be fun. #bestandworst

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  10. With my first daughter we had parties all the time and I actually didn't stress too much about it. But with middle and third I have been avoiding the whole birthday party thing. I think this year my middle son who turns 6 might want a little party with his new friends from the new school. I will probably be stressing like a crazy person, I think I will do like the locals and send a cake a party favors to the school so they can celebrate there.
    Your kiddos are growing up so cute! Have fun with the party! You can never go wrong with a bouncy castle. #bestandworst

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  11. I know what you mean about stressing, when really you shouldn't. I hope he'll have a wonderful birthday party and you can relax #bestandworst

    Nadia - ScandiMummy x

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  12. I feel your pain here. Its James' birthday in 2 weeks and I'm already stressing about it. It seems harder this year as he's older and knows what he wants and doesn't want. But, I suppose we are the same. Good luck with it! #bestandworst

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  13. The first school party we did was the most knackering 2 hours of my life! He loved it though, phew! #bestandworst

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  14. Ooohhh I feel what you're going through. I never quite know how to pitch it so that there arent any major meltdowns!:) I haven't done a huge party ever, I've always done an extended family get together and then thrown in some playdates along the week. I'm too scared to have lots of other peoples children around.

    mainy - myrealfairy


    #bestandworst

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  15. Just the very thought of trying to host an actual party terrifies me! I am far too stressy about these things and the hubby knows this so we have conveniently booked holidays to cover the tots birthdays so far and we've taken them for days out. We're lucky in that their birthdays fall just 4 days apart so one holiday fits all. I'm sure once Miss Tot starts school the lure of the party will be too strong though. I'll be coming to you for tips as your plans sound great. Love The Good Dinosaur xx
    Thanks for hosting #bestandworst

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  16. I feel for you the girls birthday in Feb was the first time away from home party incredibly stressful sure it will work out thanks for hosting #bestandworst

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  17. Sorry completely random but Alfie & Elarna are minutiae versions of you. Just had a nose at your blog posts & they are your twins. Both so different but you :0)

    Looking forward to seeing all the pics from Alfie's birthday. If you need an adult to test out the bouncy castle, I'm free :0) X

    #bestandworst

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  18. Tesco do a section near the flowers and cards for things you can put in party bags and their not very expensive. worth a look.

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  19. well done for organising! I just keep parties low-key tbh. we have a few best friends over and that's that. it will be a quiet 3rd bday this year. altho we are taking him to the beach to see the air festival! what more could he want! #bestandworst

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  20. Ah it sounds like it's going to be brilliant! But yes I hear you on the stress, it's never ending. Good luck! xx #BestAndWorst

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  21. Awww I'm sure it will all come together for you and he will have a great birthday. #BestAndWorst

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  22. My kids are grown up now but I still remember the pressure to put on a fun time and be better than last year. Now, however I have photos and memories. It's so worth it!
    #PoCoLo

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  23. Parties were so stressful. We didn't have much money so we'd have films and pizza and the like. All the Tubblet cared about was having fun and seeing her friends so she wasn't that bothered thank goodness!

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  24. Opps, forgot to add ... Hope you all have a wonderful time and Alfie enjoys his birthday! (Wine in the fridge for afters!)

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  25. This always happens to me! Childrens parties always start off so innocently. A few family and friends you think, and then you realise you need a theme, and you need a cake, and some entertainment, party bags etc.. It always ends up more stressful than you think it will. Its always worth it though as they have a lovely day, even though in my experience you end up running around like a headless chicken all day! I cant wait to see pics and hear how it all goes. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays! Emily

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  26. Back again from #bestandworst - thanks for hosting xx

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  27. I think that organizing a party is always going to be stressful. I am so scared of it that my hadnt had any. He will be 6 soon. The thing is also because he has got a classmayte with the same birthday who always got a party! I dont want any competition on who is going to attend. #pocolo

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  28. We haven't attempted parties yet! I think parties are always stressful - leaving it for when they demand one (which I expect will be once they start school)! I would definitely have the same dilemma as you about elsewhere or at home - more expensive v not dealing with the mess yourself!My eldest turned 3 last month & I had also asked her what sort of cake she wanted. 'Red' was the answer. Every time you asked her. Still talks about it now. Hope it all goes okay! #bestandworst

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  29. Good luck - kids parties sound stressful - lots of excited kids, party food and not enough gin! Cute photos of your two and thanks for linking up to #PoCoLo

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