The How-To site for Indians World-wide

Plan your Budget

Everything you decide to do will depend on how much you want to spend on a birthday party. You know nothing comes free, so everything adds up. So sit down with your spouse and come up with a budget for the party.

Make a guest list. Once you have planned on a budget, you can decide on how many guests you want at your party. The Guest list should comprise of the names of the guests, their emails (if you plan on sending an e-vite), phone numbers (if you plan to call them personally). Create a spreadsheet with all this information, so you do not forget anybody you want to invite. Please make a separate list for adults and kids. If you want to send an evite, send it 2 weeks prior to the party day.

Venue

Depending on the size of your party list, come up with a venue: Home, clubhouse, friend’s house, or a park.

1. If you decided on having it in your own house, realize that you need to have the home ready and kid friendly. Plan early on shifting your furniture around, getting your house cleaned etc.
2. If you have a count of more than 25, it is recommended that you have it at a public place, like a park or a community "clubhouse".
3. If you plan on having it at a clubhouse, call at least a month before D-day to make sure it is available. Most often we plan on having such parties on weekends, and these clubhouses are often booked. So please be prompt in making that call to your management service and book the clubhouse.

Food

Most difficult and most necessary: Choice of food you are going to serve. If you plan on ordering catered food, please call four of your best friends to make an honest opinion/suggestion of places you have decided on. It always helps when you order from a place that most people think has great food. One less thing to worry about, the QUALITY... Once you have decided on the place, you sit down with your spouse and make a list of things you want to order. For a general idea of how much food to be ordered, please go to the MENU section

Beverages: No advice, all depends on your own personal choice....

Party Favors

Second most important thing; Most children are lured into coming to birthday parties because of these, so try and make them fun but most importantly safe (Please take the choking signs on the toys seriously) and kid friendly.

Please make a separate list of kids on your guest list and please make it age appropriate. You do not want to buy something for a ten year old that you also bought for a three year old; it does not work that way. Again it will depend on your budget, Keep it small and simple. Ladies please carry this list in your purse at all times until the party is done. You never know when you will come across a sale and if you have that list you can always pick up something special.  
With party favors, expect the unexpected, when you throwing a party and there are a lot of kids, please be prepared to have extra goody bags.

Entertainment

For entertaining kids: Based upon what is available in your city you can plan on having clowns, dance DJ’s, face painting, or fun games. Sometimes the clubhouses have a built in play area or water park nearby, that would work out perfectly. Buy a few balloons, noise-makers, etc to keep the kids entertained during the party.