| P3 Party Checklist | | | | 1 week before the party |
| Planning your childs birthday party is never an easy | | | | * Order your cake from a supermarket or cake |
| task; there are just too many things to keep track | | | | decorator if you are not baking your own. |
| of. Use this simple checklist to help you begin planning. | | | | * Let brothers or sisters invite a special friend over |
| 4-6 weeks before your party | | | | for the day of the party. |
| * If you are planning entertainers, face-painters, | | | | * Confirm booking of any entertainers or outside |
| bouncy castle hire etc, check out a list of local | | | | services. |
| suppliers and contact to find out how much notice | | | | 2-3 days before the party |
| they will need. This may vary depending on the area | | | | * Buy the food, drinks, sweets and treats for the |
| in which you live, and the time of year you are | | | | party. If you have not already got them, don't forget |
| choosing to have your party. Be prepared to book | | | | the candles. |
| very early. | | | | * Check batteries and film for the camera and/or |
| 3-4 weeks before your party | | | | camcorder. |
| * Pick the party date and time. Parties usually range | | | | * Arrange to have balloons filled with helium to pick |
| from one and a half hours to three hours. | | | | up the day of, or the day before the party. |
| * Book any outside services you require, such as | | | | * If you are making your own, bake the cake. |
| entertainers, face-painters, bouncy castle etc, if you | | | | * If your child has a particular outfit they want to |
| have not done so already. | | | | wear, make sure it's ready to wear. |
| * Choose your party theme. Your child should enjoy | | | | 1 day before the party |
| doing this with you. If they have a particular favorite | | | | * Pick up the cake from the cake decorator or |
| character this may be an obvious choice. Otherwise, | | | | supermarket, or finish decorating if you are making |
| your child could help choose by browsing the | | | | your own. |
| partyware themes pages with you. | | | | * If a morning party, pick up helium-filled balloons and |
| * Create the guest list. Let your child pick out the | | | | or blow up non-helium balloons. |
| friends he or she wishes to invite. If you want to | | | | * Prepare the party area by removing furniture, or |
| restrict the party to a particular number of friends, | | | | breakable objects and decorate. (Indoor only, |
| make sure that your child narrows down the list to | | | | outdoor area is best left to the day of the party). |
| this number. In any case, it may be advisable to | | | | * Prepare any food that can be made ahead of time. |
| review your child's list to ensure that no child would | | | | THE DAY OF THE PARTY |
| feel unreasonable excluded (for example, if all the | | | | * If a late-afternoon or night party, pick up the |
| boys in your childs class are invited, except one). | | | | helium-filled balloons and/or blow up non-helium |
| * Order your party supplies, decorations, party | | | | balloons. |
| favors, prizes for games etc. Be sure to order | | | | * If an outdoor party, decorate, and, if necessary, |
| enough tableware for adults that will be attending | | | | place balloons etc at the gate to direct guests to |
| too, and additional party bags and fillers for siblings of | | | | your house. |
| guests who may arrive. | | | | * Prepare food and drinks that could not be made |
| 2-3 weeks before your party | | | | ahead of time. |
| * Send the invitations. It is best to ask guests to | | | | * Have your child ready and dressed one hour before |
| RSVP to estimate how many children you may | | | | the party. |
| expect. | | | | * Don't forget to take plenty of photos or video to |
| * Decide on activities and games for the party. | | | | record the day. If at all possible, try to recruit |
| * Plan your menu. Are their any special dietary | | | | someone to do this. You'll be very busy with other |
| requirements? For a kids party, we recommend | | | | party things that great photo opps will most likely be |
| staying away from nuts all together. | | | | missed. |
| * Arrange for extra help on the day of the party | | | | * Enjoy the day and plan a relaxing treat for yourself |
| from relatives or friends. | | | | after the party has finished. |