small 5th party at home for dd - does this sound ok? very nervous!

[fuschiapink]

Have never done a proper party before so quite scared about the whole idea but was thinking of having a small party with roughly 6 (inc dd) girls.

Our house is very small but i was thinking of just having some music on for them to have a little bop to as they arrive, then having either some playdoh / crafty things etc out on coffee table for them to play with, let them do their own thing a bit.

will have some balloons about. then probably play pass the parcel.

was going to lay out a bit of a buffet out on the dining table, then do the cake etc and thats it, does that sort of thing sound ok?

we do have a small garden with a lawn so if the weathers nice they could go out with bubble machine, balloons etc, it is really quite a small garden though so i don't know if they might get a bit bored out there?

i am really nervous at the thought! total party virin here! any other ideas, does it sound ok?

I was in exactly the same position as you last week. Have a look at my threads, there were some great tips. Here.

Relax - it'll be fine. At that age they amuse themselves.

thanks for that link lilRedWG! there are some really good ideas on there, i had actually forgot about party bags - oh dear! can't believe how nerve wracking the thought of it is!

i like the idea of face painting actually, i am quite arty maybe i could do it myself? (hopeful). like the idea of bbq afterwards actually like you did with bil and sil we could do that, dh would like that idea

It will be fine, honest. At that age I found it easiest to organise them to death so there was no time for upsets or difficulties. They love musical bumps, statues, chairs (cushions on the floor), and pass the parcel and remember the objects on the tray and sleeping tigers (nice and peaceful), then tea, cake and it's home time. Done deal.

ah remember objects on tray is briliant idea i had totally forgot that one and dd loves that sort of thing!

Another idea is to blindfold them one at a time and get them to guess an object..that takes up a lot of time!!

oh i'm starting to feel a little bit better already got a few more ideas now, still quite nervous though!

The first one is v nerve racking, but it really will be fine. Have one of the latest dvds on hand as an absolute emergency standby (for your nerves more than anything). Main thing is to keep em busy.

yes emergency dvd good plan!

Be warned - after all the children had had their faces painted they all painted mine! They loved it!

Food - instead of a buffet consider a party box each (like a Happy Meal type thingy). It means that every has exactly the same and there is no argueing over the last biscuit. We sat them on rugs in the garden to eat and it was easy to clean up afterwards.

I go some stuff from here but tbh Tesco do a great range.

If you do bbq afterwards get DH to be on duty. I collapsed with a glass of wime and chilled whilst DH cooked and topped up my glass.

thats a looks a good website thanks, yes i like the idea of collapsing with a glass of wine afterwards, i think i will need it!

thanks for all the ideas and general moral support everyone!