Michael's Party, Pt. 2

wildfloweragain

I posted about Michael's or Joanns Bday parties yesterday and looked at their stuff on their website.  Well, our Michael's doesn't offer anything like what's on their website anyway:(

It says to schedule an appt with an employee who will help us plan, gives themed parties to choose from, and from what I gathered on online reviews and such, they gather the stuff we would need and we purchase it.

Nothing like that.

The prices are the same ($50 to rent the room, $25 additional for a face painter, an employee to be there.)

But the employee is just there, does not lead the party, they do not offer ANY of the themes on the website or any other themes at all.  They said I should go up and down aisles, come up with my own craft idea, figure out what will be needed and have the kids do it.  They don't carry Dr. Seuss stuff, Melissa and Doug stuff, none of that on the website.

I'm not great at the craft stuff and it stresses me out, which is one reason I thought a Michael's party would be good.They don't even tell me what I would need for the face painter.  I just pick stuff out and the face painter uses it.  I don't know what she needs!

 

I had gone wit Michael's vs. Joanns because Joanns in our town never has enough people to wait on customers (one person to either cut fabric OR check people out) so I didn't think they'd be the best.

 

I'll still check them out or I might just look into having a YMCA party again. 

 

Boo.

cnybride2be

other than the y, is there a gymnastics center near you?  we did matt's last one at a gym that also puts on bday parties and it was fun.  leads the kids through a dance/exercise routine, then they run down a tumbling platform thing and jump on springy things in the floor, then they go in a huge jump thing.

other bday places roller skating, science center, zoo,  ?  

meghans30

That sucks! Why bother having it there if they do not help at all. You could have the party at home and do all of that.

wildfloweragain

That's what I was thinking - yes they do the clean up I think, but they had seemed to offer so much more.  The gymnastics might be a good idea. DD has never done that kind of stuff before and would love it!  Of course then she'll beg to be in lessons:)  

 

We had DS's bday party at the science center and it was a-mazing!   It's a 90 min drive though.  DS had 3 friends join him.  We drove 2 kids and one other mom drove.  DD wants to invite 8-10 girls. I wouldn't ask them to drive all that way, especially in the winter weather.  But it was awesome.  I paid and set up food.  That's it.

They met us at the door with a cart and we brought our stuff up in the elevator.  The room was right there, all decorated with his name and bright colors everywhere. It was clean, they recycle and compost everything.  There was someone to lead the whole thing.  They gave me the number for the pizza place which was almost next door.  They delivered right to the room we were in.  They provided napkins, tablecloths, cups, utensils, pizza cutter, cake cutter refrigerator, sink, candle, lighter- everything you can think of except the actual food. We had a kid with a peanut allergy and another with a milk allergy and there were no issues at all.

rebs

Maybe it is your Michaels? DD went to a party there and a girl was leading the craft (princess themed) and there was another helper too. They cleaned up and helped serve the food. The store even put together the goodie bags. The mom said she just called and booked for X number of kids.

ebb7

It is definitely just your Michaels. We are having DD's 4th party there and they have a designated birthday lady whom I met with. We talked about DD's interests and she helped me come up with a great project (there were lots of projects she does regularly for parties but wanted to make sure we had one tailored to my daughter). She walked me around the store and helped me find all the supplies needed. She will be running the party the whole time. 

Maybe your Michaels just doesn't get a lot of requests for parties?