Would you change party plan if you were told this

[florida1986]

I've booked a type of entertainer for a children's birthday party next month. Its more of a craft type theme and the entertainer is booked to run a workshop style session making things at our home for around 10 children. I've paid a deposit already plus a deposit for a bouncy castle too.

The other day another mum called me to say that she had heard I was using this entertainer and wanted to warn me that she'd had her child's party recently and that she was very unimpressed with them. She ran through all the things that weren't right (in short, they basically turned up a little late, didn't engage the kids and were very happy to walk away when the children all lost interest after only half an hour). This entertainer has very good reviews online but to be honest this has really worried me. I am now wondering if I should change the plan for the party (maybe book a soft play/trampoline style party where everything is taken care of and I don't have to worry about an entertainer not turning up/not being great if they do turn up and it raining such that the bouncy castle back up plan cannot be used and therefore the party is a bit of a flop). Cancelling will cost around £170 in wasted deposits though but I am trying to weigh up if its worth it to be sure the party will go ok.

If I cancel the entertainer and do it at a soft play type venue I'd also be able to invite more children.

WWYD?

Argh. I would be disappointed to hear this feedback, but £170 is a lot to lose! Can you have some back-up ideas for party games or crafts up your sleeve if necessary? Annoying to have to do this if you're paying for an entertainer, but worth it to make the party a success!

I’d be concerned to loose that sort of money. Perhaps have a conversation with the entertainer and ask what their plan is to keep children engaged who loose interest and bringing the group together. Have a back up plan in case they’re delayed (in which case you can expect your money, or least some of it, back) but this can happen to anyone so is sensible. Might be worth asking them for an eta and for them to update you if that changes for any reason on the day.

Thank you for your replies.

I have reached out to the entertainer since (not mentioning the feedback I have received as the mum asked me not to) to clarify how the party will run. She replied saying she'll arrive half an hour before to set up and the workshop should last around an hour. However, I cannot shake the thought that these were the same timings she told the other mum but didn't stick to them. :-/

I am also wondering if I could say to the bouncy castle company that if they resell the castle could they refund me my deposit. I'll be able to see on their website if it is booked out on our party date. That accounts for the bulk of the deposit.

Also, I guess I could run some craft things myself but we will be paying the entertainer over £300 and I kind of begrudge spending that if I am going to have to take on some of the work myself.

I just don't want it to be a disaster and kick myself for not listening to the warning but then I cannot understand how she has 5 out of 5 reviews if she is that terrible.

I think you might need to take the warning with a pinch of salt, if she’s got generally good reviews. Everyone can have an off day and will it’s not professional to turn up late there could have been mitigating factors such as another party running late or car trouble. It’s a lot of money to lose otherwise.

I would still carry on if the majority of reviews are positive.

I would absolutely not cancel. If we went by what others said, we'd never go anywhere or get anything done! She has mostly good reviews, surely a good sign.
You also have it in writing that it'll be an hour so if it's not what happens, you can ask for partial refund then!
Hopefully it will be great!

I’d book a village hall for £10 an hour. Do the party myself and save the best part of £1000!!

other kids have always RAVED about my kids parties… but if musical bumps, musical statues, musical chairs, running round chasing balloons, pass the parcel etc.

make a Photo Booth opportunity with a back drop and a few props.

food - but keep it simple ! Either sandwiches, crisps cakes and biscuits if it’s “tea time”. Or if you go mid afternoon between meals something like a sweet bar or a sweet and ice cream bar is a bit of fun! & doesn’t cause parents the dilemma of will the kids need feeding afterwards or not!!

Any chance 'the other Mum' has fallen
out with her (for other reasons) & is trying to sabotage the entertainers business?

I either did 'old fashioned' parties or booked venues. I wouldn't pay for an entertainer as they're so hot & miss.

if the bouncy castle place can refund your deposit, how much will you be down if you cancel everything else?

will your child mind?

Maybe she is worried your party is going to outshine hers?

This would worry me but now it's all booked I would go ahead. The worse case scenario is the entertainer doesn't turn up or is really rubbish. In which case you still have the bouncy castle. For 10 kids they'll be happy running around and bouncing for most of the time plus I'm assuming you'll do food and cake which will take some time too.
Add in balloons, music, do a pass the parcel and get some small prizes for musical statues and you're covered.
If still worried you could get some craft sets from b&m or hobbycraft to have on standby.

You’ve been given a heads up. Glad you spoke to the entertainment. Can head it off a bit. You could also hold onto part of the pay if they fail to deliver as promised. Ie arrive late -10%, don’t provide the time of entertainment-xx%

depends on your contract and country.

also if they still have 5/5 stars, has the other mum not reviewed them? Or one of those things where they only send b you the b review if it goes all through?

In you position I would have the bouncy castle set up in the hall - if possible to cover the rainy day issue. Continue with the party. You have a lot to lose in deposits. I would add a few extras and a plan b just in case.

Like a few others, carry on but have a few back ups just in case. Get some loo rolls in (mummy game). Cut up some wool or string into 3 inch pieces and you can hide it round the house or garden, the ones who finds the "correct amount" wins prizes.

Go ahead as planned. Have some music so if entertainer is late you can do musical statues. Have a pass the parcel ready too. Have a few prizes to give out for good dancing as well. Get balloons and you can always tell children bouncy castle is now open. It will be fine.

Animal Man?

I wouldn't listen. She has brilliant reviews. If some kids aren't interested and walk off, she can't control that. Perhaps she had a bad day? You've already paid now. Just see how it goes. I think it will be fine. If she's late and not very good, call-up her boss and ask for a refund. Leave an honest review too.

I think you are worrying a bit too much about a children's party. You can have a few games up your sleeve too, but really, with a few balloons and bouncy balls, most kids will entertain themselves very happily for some time

There is always the change this mum is very demanding or the kids just aren’t interested in this type of entertainment and couldnt be persuaded into doing it so she gave up. If this is the case then it’s hard to maintain interest. My son isn’t into arts and crafts at all, he’d love the bouncy castle but even at school they struggle to get him to do even the simplest picture. If go ahead but maybe just keep an eye out for her giving up and just speak to her asking what the plan is

170 is a ridiculous amount to lose. Surely that's the nest part of the cost if taking 10 kids to soft play.

As others say I'd have some other plans on standby. Can you cancel the entertainer and hire a church hall for the bouncy castle then do the entertainment yourself?

Depending on age and sex the dc are not going to be quietly engaged by a craft activity. I'd just not expect everyone to do it. Create some other things to do for the non crafty children. Balloons keep my 2 happy! Even now they are older!

Or throw a motherland party "chuck a pound into the front room for a game of find the pound"!😜

£300 for an hour? That’s obscene

I think if she turns up late and disorganised and doesn’t provide the service you pay for you deal with it then with a reduced fee or a poor review.

in my experience parents get too worked up generally over parties for small children. They don’t notice the things that we do and all they really need is something fun, lots of sugar and crisps and a party bag! Your child won’t realise or care that she’s not very good.

If it’s about wasted money, next year hire the community hall, play traditional party games like statues and musical chairs and buy or make party from supermarket. Save a fortune, less stress.

Back up activities in the background, in case entertainer is boring. Don't fret it's just a kids party - they will be entertained no matter what. Don't lose the deposit, might aswell have a shit entertainer than none 🤷‍♀️

Keep the entertainer but be on them like a rash to make sure they do everything they say they will do.

Keep as planned. Stay engaged yourself and keep near the kids and entertainer. If she’s late start calling her to check eta and you corral the kids to encourage participation. I think a craft is a great birthday. My most successful parties were rock painting and small scrapbook kit. There are many ideas for rock painting online. All the girls brought photos for scrapbooks. Be ready…so you are not in kitchen making food and can oversee the entertainer. Leave honest specific review post party. You seemed organized and invested and your DC will have a great time.

I'd stick with it now - it's a lot of money to lose.
If she isn't there half an hour before the party starts, give her a few minutes grace and then ring her up to find out what's going on. Don't wait until the actual start time of the party. She said she would be there half an hour in advance so if she hasn't turned up at that point you are justified in phoning her to see what's happening.
The children at the other party might not have been particularly interested in the crafts on offer and if you've got a small group and one or two of them don't like it and start moaning, you often end up with the whole lot disengaged trying to be cool like their friends who aren't interested.
Keep an eye on the children yourself and help keep motivation up. Also if the entertainer is not engaging with them you can have a quiet word with them and make a suggestion how to engage their interest a bit more. And don't let her go home early if interest is flagging, she should think of another activity to do.