https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 20 Jun 2026 23:14:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677956 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:55:15 +0000 ShootingStar 2677956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I learned that a small, low key party can still be tons of fun. Oh, and have parties at a venue, not at home.</p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677941 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:41:48 +0000 sheskrafty 2677941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to a kids birthday party this weekend and here are some things I learned:</p> <p>-Always have enough utensils and cups. Some kids didn't get forks or anything to drink.<br /> -Make sure to have enough goody bags. Lots of kids didn't get one?!? At least have a good estimate of how many kids are going to be there!<br /> -Have enough food for the kids.<br /> -Be prepared to actually "work the party". It was an 8 year old "spa" birthday party and I was asked to paint other girls nails?!? </p> <p>They are some of our better friends, but they throw the crappiest parties. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677921 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 11:26:25 +0000 Freckles 2677921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Having 2 or more rowdy 5 year old boys changes the dynamic at a party meant for a bunch of 2 year olds. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677791 Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:22:22 +0000 looch 2677791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Regarding dropping off, I remember being quite shocked at a birthday party for just turned 4 year olds when a mom dropped off her daughter. She did it again at a rather crowded arcade party and I remember being totally shocked by it.</p> <p>The main issue I have with dropping off is that the parties tend to be about an hour and a half long. Where are you actually going to go/what are you going to accomplish in that time? I would rather just stay and sit in the "lobby" and talk to other parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677654 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 22:49:57 +0000 irene 2677654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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!</p> <p>@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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677633 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 22:29:03 +0000 Truth Bombs 2677633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: ha! You and I had pretty much exactly opposite responses. I thought it was SO nice to have another person to share the planning with. My friend and I refer to each other as party planning soul mates. I think you just have to have someone who has the same personality as you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677632 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 22:27:23 +0000 Truth Bombs 2677632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: whaaaaaat? My daughter turned 4 this year too and I would have been shocked if a parent tried to drop off! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677629 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 22:22:41 +0000 travellingbee 2677629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: wow that's crazy! Even the 7 year old parties I've been to the parents stayed-- at a play gym. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677553 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 21:14:12 +0000 yoursilverlining 2677553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kids like sunbutter and jelly WAY WAY WAY more than either turkey/cheese or ham/cheese sandwiches. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677552 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 21:12:49 +0000 Andrea 2677552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I had no idea. I had so much extra food for the adults. It was totally fine though and all the kids were well behaved. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677531 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 20:43:24 +0000 irene 2677531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677524 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 20:33:38 +0000 Andrea 2677524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: we just had DD2's 4th birthday and everyone left! I was a little surprised. It was at a play gym though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677522 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 20:30:05 +0000 irene 2677522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>I am hosting our 5th year old birthday at home in a few weeks so I am keeping my fingers crossed. eek</p> <p>@Andrea: How old do people start doing "drop off" parties??</p> <p>@travellingbee: Oooo.... true. I am struggling with that at the moment.</p> <p>@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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677502 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 19:32:19 +0000 birdofafeather 2677502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People don't eat as much as I think they will! Keep it simple. And loads of people may bail so keep activities and favors flexible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677501 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 19:18:10 +0000 jhd 2677501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to have so much food. And that I prefer to have LO's party after his birthday rather than before if possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677494 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 18:57:01 +0000 Mamaof2 2677494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That parents rarely eat the food </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677479 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 17:55:27 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2677479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Provide even more mimosas. :p </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677475 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 17:49:26 +0000 AB810 2677475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no chill. I was going to low key and easy, but I need to relearn that concept. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677465 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 17:08:54 +0000 looch 2677465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The kids don't care about the decor and they love a goody bag! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677452 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:52:48 +0000 JennyPenny 2677452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That potlucks never turn out the way I imagine they will. People have weird ideas about things that go well together and what will make for a well-balanced meal. Or maybe I just learned that I'm too persnickity to host pot-lucks :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677450 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:47:46 +0000 Andrea 2677450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The kids are old enough that we do not need to buy food for the adults anymore. Everyone drops off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677445 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:39:28 +0000 Truth Bombs 2677445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That I'm really lucky to have a good friend whose daughter's birthday is a week before my daughter's birthday :silly: </p> <p>The girls are really close and love being "birthday buddies". This was the second year in a row that they had a joint party and it was awesome. Cuts down on the cost and the stress for us parents. And it cuts down on the obligations for all of our mutual friends because somehow alllll of our kids are born between Sept and Dec so it's nice to knock out two of the November birthdays with one party. </p> <p>Just want to add that I would never force my kid to have a joint party for my own convenience. Both years the girls have been given the choice between a joint party and each having their own and they have picked to have it together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677438 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:31:51 +0000 Boogs 2677438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe buy more water. Other than that I thought it went really well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677431 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:24:51 +0000 travellingbee 2677431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's OK to invite more people than you intend to come because when kids are involved, someone always cancels last minute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677424 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:18:36 +0000 mediagirl 2677424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-learn-at-the-last-party-you-hosted#post-2677422 Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:17:31 +0000 autumnlove 2677422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had my LO's 5th birthday at a jump place last weekend and these are some things I would do differently:</p> <p>I say this after every party but I always forget and I always buy a large veggie platter that isn't very popular. </p> <p>Bring more water next time. The kids got very thirsty during the jump party and they went through the bottled water very quickly and the fountain looked really gross. :bummed: </p> <p>I think it was her last big party for a few years but next time we will chose a better date (she has a late dec bday) and do it mid Dec or after school starts again in Jan. </p>