Clumsy thanks you all...and

[Clumsyoaf]

Any tips for party? My other mum was going to do presents for a pass the parcel? We well mu husband ..ok - he has just finished the party bags.. A book, sweets, pencil and some bubbles -thank god for Asda. We are not going to decorate as we simply don't have the money and bro and friend are bringing a smoke machine, snow machine and a bubble machine.... I just need to get plates etc but honestly any tips? I have all the drinks bought, I managed to get a good offer on Capri suns in my local discount shop.. Desert? Does cake count? Pls any help?

[3b1g]

Don't make too many sandwiches as hardly any will get eaten.
Bring some sticky labels to put the name of each child on their drink; bouncy castles make children v.thirsty and they'll need to drink constantly.
Have a piece of paper ready to write down contact numbers of parents who might want to drop and run (some parents of four year olds do).
Bring plenty of wipes and a few bin bags to help make the clear up easier.

By the way, I have twins, do you fancy having a joint party with them for your daughter's fifth?

[diddl]

Oh yes-pass the parcel-my Mum used to have a note pad with which layers the things were in & then write down who had something!

When I had "birthday tea" at home we always had jelly & blancmange for pud-but then often no one wanted cake so it was sent home in a serviette.

Maybe if they´re running around pudding is best avoided-just do the cake or have some small sweet biscuits or something?

[diddl]

Musical statues, musical chairs,squeak piggy squeak, pin the tail on the donkey, blind man´s buff(?)-the old ones are the best!

[Spatsky]

Get some wrapped sweets or other tiny prize, put them in balloons, blow up balloons, get kids to pop balloons to get the prize.

A great one if you don't mind the noise of balloons popping.

[HecatePropylaea]

Just the ONE bottle, Sirzy?

After a gaggle of four year olds?...

[Sirzy]

Good point Hectate, get a case of wine in ready!

[ImperialStateKnickers]

Morning Clumsy, just having a quick sesh before doing all the work I failed on due to watching yesterday's titanic saga... there's a section called Parties or Celebrations or something like that for party planning tips. Glad you seem to be sticking around the Viper's Nest (but could your next thread not be quite so epic - thanks to you fridge is empty and I've got three loads of washing and only time to run one )

[LaCiccolina]

Good to see ya clumsy! Hope u have a fab day! :)

My top tip write a thank you card and insert into each party bag before: like
Thank you for coming to my party. I hope u had a lovely time. Thank u so much for playing with me and also tank u so much for ur great gift!

That way that's all done and saves trying desperately to remember who bought what.

Someone will no doubt disagree next.....

[foslady]

Moring! Cheap pud? Choc ices - that's what we all did round here - no bowls needed and 10 pack supermarket brand are cheap!!! If you have the helpers you could always do mini hot dogs (Small bread buns sliced in half across the top to make 2 long thin buns, put down on the cut edge then slashed across the top and put in a mini hot dog and a few bowls of oven chips/smiley faces - ok not the healthiest of meals, but it's a tots birthday party!)

Have a great time!

[QuiteQuiet]

My child is hyperactive, so I like to have his friends Mums view of my life from time to time, son lots of E numbers, skittle work, they are full of E numbers, full fat coke and Haribo sweets, guaranteed to have a rocking party!!

Welcome to Mumsnet, sorry that you have joined you have just gained an addiction.

[QuiteQuiet]

Oh yes Alcohol is a must, for you for Sunday evening, I do not advise anyone to drink on a school night but Sunday well, okay the next day is a school morning but just go for it, have a fantastic day!!

[WhoWhatNow]

Can you plug an ipod and speaker in so they can have a bit of a dance - no need for party games then. And yes the medals for prizes are fab - Asda etc do them. I wouldn't bother with dessert. I would assume most people would drop and run. My dd2 is in her first year of primary school and most of the parties she's been to - parents haven't stayed.

[Catsdontcare]

Oh yes to skittles my little sister used to go off like a rocket after a pack of skittles!

Anyway do you know if ALL your guest are coming

[Clumsyoaf]

I got 14 yes's this morning... (a few reluctantly actually which was a little disheartning)and 5 nos so thats at least 26 kids defo... i just posted this on the other thread:

Hello, just reading up ? Can I just say I didn?t say that I have never ever BEEN on a talk forum I said I had never posted? im a regular lurker on the experience project! Anyway, to anyone who does not believe my experience that?s ok, I survived a morning of rather humiliating awkwardness with people I am probably going to be stuck with for the next 11 years ? this is nothing! And to all of you who have given me support ? thanks again. Re the party, someone asked me what was n the party bags ? I ordered some books from the book people (Meg and Mog, marvelous manners etc) so they shall be getting one of those, my husband got some haribos in a big bag from asda last night, a bouncy ball and a blow out thingy. 30 bags all ready to go. (although some of the books wont fit in the bag so will be handed separate (lord let me remember everything I need to do) im not doing a pass the parcel as brothers friend does all that, he has asked for a few big bags of sweets which he will use to replace his stock. I think the entertainer AND the bouncy castle is too much thinking about it - the entertainer does 1.5 hour, half hour for cake and food so they probably only use it for half an hour ? but no going back now. Gonna nip out to the pound shop to get some table covering and plastic plates and that?s it. My kind mum in law has stepped in to help me with sandwiches and thanks for the tip ? I shall make half of what I was going to! Sister in law is going to wash and get ready all the fruit. So I think im getting there. Slowly but surely.

[BupcakesAndCunting]

You can play pin the troll under the bridge. That always goes down well.

[QuiteQuiet]

One word...... paragraphs

And you are repeating yourself, what is he experience project purleeese, I'm fick as bat-shit!

[Clumsyoaf]

its a forum where they have a section for partners serving in the armed forces QuiteQuite

[QuiteQuiet]

Oh that's nice. Sorry you having a shitty time, my mind is racing I have no idea what's going on tbh! Is everything cool?

[QuiteQuiet]

Oh good you have the haribos and a bouncy castle so I am thinking your party is fine now ?

[QuiteQuiet]

Okay I have had, all the party confusion explained to me, I have to say Clumsy, bloody well done for not letting this get you down. CD sounds like a bit of bitch from what I have read.

[CwtchesAndCuddles]

A very simple a popular came with little ones is "pass the hat". Sit in a circle, when the music starts you pass the hat around the circle - each child must put it on before passing it to their neighbour. When the music stops the person with the hat is out. Continue until there is a winner. A hard hat is easiet, we used a red sparkly top hat I found in the loft!

[Ilovecake1]

Good on you and very glad you have a lot of "yes's"! I bet it all feels like a bit of a relief now...to be without the other mother!! Did you see her this morning? I hope you all enjoy the party and please keep updating to how it all went.
I really think you could have done without all of this with the worry and stress of your husband going away on Monday!!

[Shaky]

Lots and lots of balloons for them to run around with to burn off all the sugar

[ShiftyFades]

How did it go? We went to one on Saturday and the kids had a great time on the bouncy castle, I think I might do it next year.
Genuinely hope both were a success.