Have you ever used a party organiser to organise your child's party?

[JoshandJamie]

And if so, why?

Did you not have the time to organise it? Did you not want the stress of organising it?
Did you feel an organiser would do a better job than you could?
Did you want a really elaborate party that you needed a professional to organise?
Any other reason?

And if you did use a party organiser, how much was the total cost of the party including their services?

Sorry for all the questions but I have never used a party organiser but then again my kids are still very young and I like organising things so don't imagine I would. But there is a big market for party organisers so am trying to figure out what the rationale is for using one. Genuine question.

I'm the party organiser round here

You heard the time "cash rich- time poor" ?? That's why I used one !

Also - I didn't relish the thought of standing up in front of a load of 6 yr olds and organise games ! Some people liek doing stuff like that and some don't - for those of us who don't party organisers are great !

Thanks for the feedback so far. On the issue of one upmanship - is this real problem out there?

Have you personally had experience of either feeling pressurised to keep up with other parties your kid has been to or are you someone who likes to stand out and therefore creates more elaborate affairs that other people want to live up to?

Again, i read about this one upmanship of parents at kids parties but have never experienced it (yet)

Are you writing an article or something ?

(Ruby - where in Kent are you? We are moving to Sevenoaks are in a few months, so am thinking ahead to DS1's birthday!!)

AM not writing an article - but I have a client in this space and am trying to understand some of the issues she will be facing. Having never hired a party organiser and I can't see an occasion where I would (then again, give me a few years and maybe I will!), I am just trying to understand why people do it and also what all the hooha is about the one upmanship.

Ruby - will be in touch in the summer if we decide to have a party - might need to buy him some new friends first though!!

Just bumping this up - anyone else ever used a children's party organiser and if so, what was your reason for doing so?

thanks

I organise DD's parties. I actually quite enjoy it and we don't go for anything elaborate or anything anyway - just big hall, bouncy castle craft, dancing and lots of children running around madly! I'd rather spend the money on those bits and DD's present, than on an organiser.

No way !It is a parents job to put up with the little so and so's once a year and is all part of growing up.My ds will be 13 next birthday so those days are almost over for us but we had parties every year and I think those things are part of childhood memories It is all over too soon and then you will be wishing for more times to do these things

I'm going to do my own party for my 5yo, with games, and some singing like hokey Cokey etc, but many of the mums have thought I was barking! They think I should go to a soft play, but I think kids love to play games, and if they don't when they are little, when will they? I have no problem starting them singing and doing actions, and doing games, but I appreciate a lot of mums wouldn't have the confidence/time/ideas to do it, hence the surprised reaction!
My son went to a magic party last week (no games) and he really enjoyed that too- over an hours entertainment by an old chap.