15 children in a village hall, balloons, party food...how difficult can it be?

[TooTickyTheAppleBobber]

Or, why am I so terrified? Still debating whether to hire a bouncy thing. My skinflint side says no. The rest of me says, well, that will simplify things.
What can you do with 4 and 5 year olds?
Even pass the parcel is complicated these days with a thing in each layer and making sure each child gets one.
Grumble, grumble. Shouldn't it be vaguely enjoyable for the adults too?

For the last three parties DS 2 has had they have been in a hall, with balloons, music and games. I won't say it wasn't stressfull, but he really enjoyed it.
The main thing is, inbetween games, just let them charge around expelling energy, and don't get to worried about sticking to the games routine. You'll be fine

What about pin the tail on the donkey, a craft table (colouring, sticking etc.), musical statues or whatever all nice and cheap.

Do you have to have a thing in each layer for Pass the Parcel these days?

I believe it leads to mutiny if you don't. You also possibly run the risk of being sued by the parents for emotionally scarring the child.
There will NOT be any party bags though - cake and balloon is quite sufficient.

Have lots of balloons bobbing about on the floor, they keep children amused for hours, keepy uppy, punch balls etc.

NO BALLOONS all they do is stomp on them, sacring the fricking shit out of grandma in the corner causing her to wet herself then you have even more mess to clean up. but seriously from my experience no balloons.

why not do the box version of pass the parcel? you pass around a box ( like a shoe box or similar) with a lid on and inside are lots of little wrapped presents, choc bars etc. When the music stops they take off the lid and remove a gift. Much easier, tidier and less recycling!