If you’re going to the trouble of planning a birthday party for your child, you’re going to a lot of trouble.  Everyone wants their kid’s birthday party be special—we know that!  But with both parents working there’s not much time to prepare and once the party starts all your time is taken monitoring the little angels as they romp through your house. 

We have come up with a solution that we think works for most kid’s birthday parties.  Children relate to cartoon or movie characters, or they have special interests like sports or even dinosaurs.  Fortunately for you there are plenty of birthday party items that feature these characters.  Why don’t you just do what we suggest below and set your table with one of the great collections of licensed products we have available.  Choose from 1^st birthday, toddlers, kids, and teens.

You’ll have a party that your child knows was designed just for them and you’ll make your life much easier.  Of course, if you have a little more time you may want to try one of out theme parties.  Our favorite parties are Pirate’s Adventure, Super Safari Adventure, and Under the Big Top.

Invitations

Once you have your theme, you’re ready to choose an invitation.  Of course, the invitation is one of your most important decisions, because it lets the guests know in advance what a great party you’re planning and what a great time they will have.

Based on your theme (or lack of), we have something for everyone.  If you pick a licensed character (by far the most popular choice for a kid’s birthday) your choices will usually include invitations.  The easiest way to go but there are other options.  If your boy or girl is going to invite classmates you can order paper plates of the star character and write your invitation on the back.  Not only different but hard for a little one to lose. 

Of course, if you are feeling ambitious you can make your own invitations.  I think this is the most fun when you can get your child to help.  Your invitations will certainly be original.  You can always use the old standby of paper and crayons but more and more kids are getting very accomplished with the computer. 

Really want to wow your guests and give your party that personal touch?  Think about ordering our personalized birthday invitations. Combine these with our personalized candy bar wrapper as a favor and you’ll have a party that’s remembered for a long time..

Decorations

Depending on where you are having the party (inside or out) and the time of day,  you can go light or heavy on the décor.  It helps to make the party more festive, but it’s your choice.  Listed below are the items we propose for all of our birthday parties…but you can pick and choose.

Welcome sign

Either a sign or a life-size cut-out of the celebrant with a speech bubble is the perfect thing to welcome your guests.  The cut-out can be themed or just based on your photograph. 

An autograph board or book—something for the celebrant to keep forevermore.  Check out our 3-D sign in books, too—they’re fantastic!

Seating cards/favors—attach the table card with name and table number to a favor of some sort.  Perhaps a personalized candy bar or something that goes with your theme!

Tabletop décor—centerpieces, confetti, napkin rings, votive candles, matching paper cups are a must!  Be creative with any and all of these items, and your guests will be thrilled with the personal touches.  You might also want to think about a single-use camera on each table and perhaps a program at each place. 

Plus, think about using some of our themed paper goods with matching miscellaneous items. The old days of using china are gone…  These fabulous party goods can make your table.  Or at least consider using them for dessert!

Photo opportunity—depending on your theme, we can provide a back-drop or cut-out for a wonderful photo opportunity—just ask us!

Favors

Personalized candy bars are very popular.  Loot bags are always popular.  A little bit of candy, some stickers and other assorted goodies put in something easy to carry.  It’s always fun to use something that fits your theme.  For example if you are doing Finding Nemo, or are having a beach party, use some plastic beach pails as your “bag”.

Games

You always have to have some games.  Kid’s love to run around so you might as well organize the mayhem.  For a great selection of kid’s birthday party games or visit our games section.