CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

[HelenLA]

Hi just wondered if any of you have ever used a party company to organise your childs birthday party. I for one am not a big fan of the usual play gym type parties. I much prefer the traditional homemade style party with pass the parcel and musical statues etc etc but think parents often stay away from this type of party because of the work involved. Do you think there would be a demand for a company that organised this kind of party and supplied all the food and party bags etc either at a hired venue or in your own home, but at a similar price to what you pay for play gym parties? Would be really interested in hearing your views.

Thanks Helen

I would never use a company, because I love orgainising childrens parties.
I think it would depend on where you live as to how popular it would be.
An affluent area you would probably do better.
There are already a lot of entertainers that incorporate what you have suggeasted, so you would need a good USP.

Hi Mollymax

No I would never use a company either because I love organising too. BUT I believe there are lots of mums (and dads) out there who wouldn't know where to start and opt for a 'play gym' party for ease. I agree there are alot of good entertainers out there but I think it's not always packaged right and yes I also agree that a good USP is a must - thank you for your feedback, much appreciated.

Yes please, if you can travel to the Middle East for next Friday, that would be wonderful!

Seriously, I definitely think I'd pay to do it as am always on the verge of a breakdown in the week running up to the party. Probably half of my stress however is caused by the fact that I can't get half of the stuff I need out here so have to plan ahead and bring it back from the UK.

Thanks for the feedback mumoverseas. Now you have just given me something else to think about...how about a Party in a Box that could be posted!!!!

Thanks for the positive feedback. I know alot of parents like to organise their own parties and having someone to do it for you is not everyone's cup of tea but I know where you are coming from re a breakdown.

The idea of organising a party and the actual reality is quite different and there is nothing worse than when the party is over and done with realising that you never actually spent time enjoying the party with your child because you spent all day running about!!!

Hope all goes well next week!!

No, not in the UK. For two reasons. Firstly, there are already lots and lots of party organisers/entertainers. Really name it and it is already provided. Especially now with the economic downturn I think that competition will be cutthroat, so I expect that this would be about the worse time to set up as a party organiser ... Secondly, due to the economic downturn I think that parents are more likely to give it a go themselves. For example, in previous years I have always used party organisers, but this year I am organising everything myself,it is actually lots of fun. In future I am almost sure that I will do everything myself again. As a result I will be saving myself lots of money and have the party exactly the way I want it. I think the same is going to happen with more and more parents. Once they have seen other parents organising everything themselves, they will think, right, no reason I cannot do that too and once they have done it once themselves it is more likely that they will keep doing it themselves.