I've never hosted a kids bday party before - help me!

mauceddie

I am having a combined bday part for my kids turning 2 & 4 

How early do you send out bday party invites? I'm just going to email them because I'm lazy and the party is going to be quite small. 5 families + their kids.

Any ideas for themes, etc? I have no clue what to do. We're having it in our home.

And what time is usual? I was thinking 2-4 ? Cake & ice cream... Or should I do it from 2-5?

Note: DD2's usually naps from 12:30-2:30

ETA: yes, I am a terrible mother for not having parties for my kids before this.

amiamish

I like to give 4wks notice...

Tons of themes, are they both boys/girls? or 1b1g?

I think 2-4 is plenty. Or even 3-5 (but they may be cutting it close for dinner time.

lildevil968

I usually send them out about 3 weeks in advance, remember to put an RSVP date and phone number on the invite.

I would say 3-5 is a good time, but parents might expect you to put on some hot dogs or something because it might be getting close to dinner time for them. I actually had a parent scold me for not feeding her child dinner when the party lasted until 5!

mauceddie

Thanks. They are both girls. They love Dora, but I am not keen on a Dora theme. Maybe Pirates?  DD1 was a pirate for halloween. They're not into princesses or anything. I guess I don't need a theme...

Party is Dec 13th, so I better decide on the time and send them out.

mgfit1

I try to do invitations about 1 month before and make sure people RSVP.  I usually do the party at 3pm so kids can get in a nap before coming.  Hardly anyone shows up on time so we just have snacks and let the kids play for a while upon arrival.  We usually host dinner and then do cake and presents after that. 

I would pick a theme they like....for my DSs 2nd Bday we did Elmo.  For his 3rd we did Thomas the Train.  For his first we did a luau (since I got PG in Hawaii we thought it was a good theme).  Look on Partycity.com for party ideas.  Also Oriental Trading Company has TONS of stuff and ideas.