birthday party prep

[sarahandeddie]

I know most of you have already celebrated the big 3, so I'm curious how much time you put into prepping for the party.

We're having Avery's party at home. I'm stressing about getting the house spotless, which is nearly impossible with a 2 and 4yr old around. I'm also super stressed about decorating, although I've already started and party is Sunday. I just want everything to be perfect for her. I also want to be able to enjoy her real birthday (Saturday) and her party with her without stressing. I just haven't figured out how to balance everything.

[britbratjf]

I cleaned the house but that's about it. Our party was outside so the morning of my H filled up the pool, set up the sprinkler & got out the tables. We had the food catered. I didn't really decorate.

[xanthepants]

Do you have anyone to help set up? I pre-cooked everything I could on Saturday and spent a good part of the day doing that with my mom(though we went to a parade and out to dinner to break things up). We had about 50 people at a park so I didn't have to clean. If you H can take the kids for a period of time the night before so you can clean perhaps that could help you too. As for decorating I had everything prepped the week before in bins and ready to go. We got started at 7 am getting everyone ready and everything packed and final last minute prep of food. I hit the site at 9:30 and had the place decorated with just my Mom by 11 am sharp. I didn't have a ton of décor but it was a pretty big party. If it was at home I could have started decorating on Saturday after bedtime or even Friday depending on what you have.
I always pull out all my plates/serving ware the day before and make sure I have everything marked for what's going in what and lay it out on my dining room table. And then make sure I have all the cups, plastic forks etc covered. I make a list for H as to what he is responsible for and what time I want him to do it (getting ice, cleaning the toilet, etc). I plan distractions or something new for the kiddo with H to get her out of the house or something fun so she doesn't feel ignored and I feel like I can get stuff done - super important. Even if it's a playdate with a friend - 2 hours helps! Good luck!

[justbeth]

Don't stress about the cleaning. As soon as the guests get there the kids will destroy everything you worked so hard on. My house was a disaster 5 minutes in and I spent hors cleaning before, then had to spend hours after.

I decorated during nap that day, and did the food that morning while DH took her to the pool. She didn't know it was her party day until she woke up from nap, because I knew she wouldn't nap if she was excited.

[junkytrunk]

We had ours at a park this year, but when we did it at the house last year, my H and I put up all the big decorations that take time the night before after M went to bed. And he was the first to see them, so that was fun. I had pre-made most of the food the day before, but there were things I had to pick up the day of, so that kind of put a kink in things. I had to get balloons and the cupcakes. My H stayed home and finished last minute cleaning and some family came over early to help get final things done. Our party was at 12pm and I think we started as soon as we got up. At least just small cleaning and whatnot.

[jodielyn10]

I haven't even begun for Ingrid's party this year (she wound up an August baby) but other than buy food and supplies - I've always done all the prep during her nap the day of the party. We clean the house every weekend anyway, so cleaning is never a problem and I do very minimal decorations. I'm more concerned with the house being clean (which it already is anyway - it never gets really dirty or messy) and everyone having a good time during the party.

[roo1582]

I decorated the day of the party. We didn't have a ton, but enough to make it fun and festive for her. H entertained the kids for the most part, so I was able to take care of that pretty quickly. Kayleigh also helped with some of the decorating too

As for the food, I tried to do as much prep as possible the day before. I made and decorated her cake, cut what I could for food/snacks. I also had all the plates/napkins, bowls, etc out and on a table so at least everything was accounted for.

Finally, for cleaning, I just did the bare minimum. I vacuumed the floors, cleaned the half-bath (which is the one most would use) and wiped down countertops. I didn't go too crazy because with everyone inside (damn rain!), it was like a tornado went through in no time. I did the cleaning the day before the party.

[bantyrooster]

Picked up but didn't make it spotless, the kids trashed Irvin 5 seconds anyways. Then decorated during nap. We ordered pizza so no food prep. I think as long as your house isn't visibly dirty and your bathroom is clean you are good.

[sarahandeddie]

You guys have made me feel so much better. The house has been deep cleaned and I'll double check the bathrooms the morning of. I've also got most of the decor up and hope to finish everything that will be inside tonight. Most of our food is pretty simple. We're doing hot dogs and I rented a hot dog steamer. I'm making mac n cheese in the crock pot. I'm going to cut the fruit and veggies saturday night. I'll have to pick up cake and balloons on Sunday. I'll also have to decorate the tent Sunday (if it doesn't storm). I think I'm doing pretty good getting things done!