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Kids love water. Pools, sprinklers, water slides. They love all things that have to do with water. (at least at our party) boys would rather play than eat.

Maybe buy more water. Other than that I thought it went really well!

The kids are old enough that we do not need to buy food for the adults anymore. Everyone drops off.

The kids don't care about the decor and they love a goody bag!

Provide even more mimosas.

Not to have so much food. And that I prefer to have LO's party after his birthday rather than before if possible.

I only really hosted one party so far. I co-hosted with my friend for our DSes' 3rd year old birthday. I learned that I shall never co-host any party with anyone ever again because no matter how you think you are not high maintenance, there is bound to be difference in opinion and expectation (even on what and how to save on money) and I didn't talk to my friend for weeks/ months after that party. It was painful.

ETA: And I would say, don't even bother to host a party at an expensive venue before 4 years old. It was so painful to drag the kids and ask them to stay in the party room when it was time to party. Everyone cried and cried and left the room. You got one in and two get out. It's like herding chickens.

I am hosting our 5th year old birthday at home in a few weeks so I am keeping my fingers crossed. eek

@Andrea: How old do people start doing "drop off" parties??

@travellingbee: Oooo.... true. I am struggling with that at the moment.

@Mamaof2: @birdofafeather: That's what I THOUGHT! And the other day I posted a party "menu" and everyone told me I didn't have enough food. Ahhh. I just hate wasting food and I have wasted enough food with having DS growing up (half a plate goes to trash every day when he was younger). If there was a wasting food hell I would for sure end up there.

@Andrea: Wow, really?! I have no idea what the Etiquette is. Isn't that a bit rude to just leave your kids (4 year old!) and expect they will be looked after? Did they at least RSVP to let you know they are dropping off?

Kids like sunbutter and jelly WAY WAY WAY more than either turkey/cheese or ham/cheese sandwiches.

@Andrea: whaaaaaat? My daughter turned 4 this year too and I would have been shocked if a parent tried to drop off!

@Truth Bombs: @Andrea: I feel the same! I would be blocking the door and say, hey you, where do you think you are going lol. Glad it all worked out though!

@Truth Bombs: And I think you are right. It was PAINFUL. I am a designer/ illustrator and my friend EXPECTS that I would do "something cute to send in the mail and something for her to put in the scrapbook" for the invites when I do not even want to send a postal invite (Evites!). So ended up I stayed up until 3am over the winter break to draw a freaking choo choo train for the invites (To me, you either don't do it *queue Evite* or you do it right). I cried as I was doing it and was so mad afterwards. She didn't care about the cake while I want to spend money on the cake. She loved the children's museum and wanted to do the party there but I hate the children's museum yet I had no choice (as our party was in deep winter). She wanted party decor and to me it's like, you spent all that money to host a party in children's museum, who cares about freaking party decor in a room for less than an hour??? But we are very good friends though (thankfully, still, after that party), and our DSes too. It is strange.

Having 2 or more rowdy 5 year old boys changes the dynamic at a party meant for a bunch of 2 year olds.

I learned that a small, low key party can still be tons of fun. Oh, and have parties at a venue, not at home.

For DS's birthday in November we did a super small party at a great indoor play space. I invited his best friend and our closest friends that have 2 kids. The kids played and had a blast, we had cupcakes and then we were done. No mess to clean up, no huge expenses, no menu planning. I paid for admission for 3 kids ($15 each), a dozen cupcakes at Whole Foods ($12), and a few juice boxes and waters. Total was less than $75.