| Kids love today’s
“drop-off” parties where they go to the gym or skating
rink, party-hardy for an hour or two, then return home. Parents like
them too. Who wouldn’t when energetic staffs take care of most
details? What may be missing is socialization
between parents – namely dads. To create an environment where
the kids have fun and get to know their classmates – while
you get acquainted with moms and dads – consider bringing
the party home.
Rusty Rhone, party planner and owner of
Bill Reed Decorations, offers nine tips for creating a warm and
inviting family affair.
| 1 |
Tell guests “siblings are welcome.” Any parent
with multiple kids will tell you how wonderful these words are. |
| 2 |
Choose late afternoon when mom and dad duties are winding
down and youngsters’ naps are over. |
| 3 |
Serve a light dinner for everyone.
The messier the food, the more relaxed parents become. Ribs
and sausage on the grill make great antidotes for uptight adults. |
| 4 |
Don’t buck the ball game. Dads with a sports habit
are more likely to come if they don’t have to slink out
to the car to catch a score. |
| 5 |
Set the mood with a theme. Invitations make your first impression.
Carry it out with everything from food and beverages to music
and decorations. You can even go beyond the usual balloons and
paper products and rent theme decorations, which can be surprisingly
affordable |
| 6 |
Deliver a fairytale. Kids theme sets range from Pirate Parties
to Alice in Wonderland Tea Parties. Also, think Under the Sea.
Native American Indian. Rock Star, All Star Sports, Under the
Big Top, Cinderella, Safari, Wild West, 50’s Sock Hop,
Tropical Jungle or Hawaiian Luau. |
| 7 |
A grand entrance makes every kid a star. Roll out the red
carpet under a lighted marquee for rock stars. Or a giant tepee
for Indian princesses and guides. Or a pirate ship for little
Captain Hooks and Tinkerbells. |
| 8 |
Dress the set. Custom-draped tents make a great centerpiece
in the yard for activities. Deep purple fabric and lights energize
budding rock stars while red and white stripes complete the
Big Top effect. Backdrops enhance the entertainment stage. |
| 9 |
Plant the props. Child-size cutout characters, like a clown
for circus parties or a mermaid for under the sea events, create
photo opps. Accent props range from life-size elephants, tigers,
bears and circus wagons, to whimsical fish, seahorses and seashells
to giant lighted guitars, microphones and oversized glittered
musical notes. |
Rhone concluded, “Bring the party
home and you’ll have a better chance of everyone in the family
having fun. I grew up in a small Texas town, where parents and their
kids got together all the time. Dallas is so big, I sometimes feel
it’s hard for people to get to know each other.”
For more ideas, check out: www.billreed.com.
Props start at $50. Bill Reed Decorations, 717 S. Good Latimer Expressway,
Dallas, 214.823.3154 or 800.879.3891.
|
