Birthday Party Tips - ParentsCanada Survey Results
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We asked you to tell us about your experiences hosting and attending birthday parties. Check out these statistics, as well as our readers birthday party DOs and DON’Ts.32.9% Percentage of parents who invited less than nine kids to their child’s birthday parties. Only 12.2% of parents surveyed let their children invite as many friends as they wanted.
53.7% Percentage of parents who buy a birthday cake instead of making it themselves.
82.9% Percentage of parents who do not invite their child’s entire class.
Home is where the party is…
54.9% choose to host their child’s birthday party at home.
20.7% go to activity centres designed for birthdays.
69.5% organize the party into games.
25.6% hire an entertainer.
Our Readers Say
We figured the best place to turn for birthday party advice is to the people who are doing it all the time – you! Check out these lessons learned from our online survey respondents.
DO what you can afford to do for your kids without outside pressure to have a particular type of party. Keep it simple. I love organized parties where there is some type of activity for an hour, then food, cake and presents for the last hour. Two hours is usually good for us. I find the kids are just happy it’s their birthday, they are happy regardless of what you spend and what you do. Just the acknowledgement means so much to them and the opportunity to play with their friends.
Kathy, Ottawa, Ont.
DON’T blindfold the child when playing the piñata!
Deziree, Edmonton
DON’T have two- and three year-olds sit on a blanket to eat the cupcakes. At least five of the cupcakes were stepped on and tracked throughout the room!
Jennifer, Hamilton, Ont.
DON’T go overboard. For my son Luke’s second birthday, we rented a hall and invited a ton of kids but it turned out to be overwhelming trying to keep track of so many two-year-olds, especially since the hall was not childproofed. We had to clean the hall before and after and bring Luke’s toys plus we ordered all of the food. For Luke’s third birthday, we learned our lesson and had a smaller party of 15 kids at our house. We cleared our living room and set it up with a variety of toys such as a kitchen set, train set, Little People Toys and a work bench so there was something for everyone. I made the sandwiches and snacks and ordered a cake from a local bakery. Not only did we save a ton of money by having it at home but it was so much more relaxing! The kids were all playing in one area and the parents had a chance to mingle and enjoy themselves as well. My advice? Don’t go too big – a smaller party is much more relaxing and enjoyable!
Tammy, Labrador City, Nfld.
DON’T try and make your own food for the kids and parents attending. It’s too much work and you can’t focus on your guests. Just order pizza or have fruit and veggie trays.
Wendy, St. Catharines, Ont.
DON’T spend a fortune on decorative disposable plates and cups. Plastic, reusable ones are more durable and a better bang for your buck – especially if you have a big crowd.
Erica, North Vancouver
DO open presents with all the children involved. Do organize a party that will not leave anyone out, where they can’t choose favourites to sit by or play with.
LORI, LADNER, B.C.
DO put an RSVP date to reply. I ended up waiting way too long to hear back from some people.
CATHERINE, OAKVILLE, ONT.
DON’T invite adults/parents with the kids. It’s way too much work to try and entertain the adults as well as the kids.
HANNAH, KITCHENER, ONT.
DON’T get in over your head. Be sure you know how many kids your home (and you) can handle. Do ask for help hosting from another parent or a friend. Then make sure you have back up!
JENNIFER, OSHAWA, ONT.
DO invite the whole preschool class so no one feels left out!
PAULA, WINNIPEG
DO designate someone to take photographs. It’s best if it’s a family member, but not a close one, so that they can get photos of all the guests and activities.
DEBBI, THORNHILL, ONT.
DO have a backup plan for a backyard/outdoor party. On my daughter’s third birthday we were to have a backyard party with games and piñata. The day before, it was a beautiful sunny day, the day of the party it was non stop rain! The piñata was moved into the garage and the rest of the activities had to be discarded for a bunch of dancing and running in the house.
DIANA, OSHAWA, ONT.
DON’T give goldfish as parting gifts!
MARIJO, ST. WILLIAMS, ONT.
DON’T let your child pick a theme unless you know you can buy the party favours for it. I looked everywhere for favours for Scooby-Doo.
SHEILA, SARNIA, ONT.
DON’T expect a perfect party every time. There may be tears. There may even be a temper tantrum. There may even be a food fight. Just enjoy.
JILL, DAUPHIN, MAN.
DON’T let them snack on chips and munchies before serving the birthday cake.
CARRIE, WINDSOR, ONT.
DON’T run around buying an assortment of low priced junky items to fill loot bags. Spend the money on one decent item for each child. They will actually get use out of it, and you will save time and stress!
JENNIFER, NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C.
DON’T buy messy food if you’re hosting a party for young ones at home. It will end up all over your house! Don’t host a party too late in the day as you can run into tired and cranky partyguests. With young children, don’t assume that you can drop the kids off. Ask the parents of the birthday kid if they would like you to stay to help supervise.
PATRICIA, OTTAWA
DON’T do things you like, do things your child likes.
ANDREA, HAMILTON, ONT.
DON’T try to organize four- and five-year-olds into set games as they just want to run around having fun and being free. You’ll end up very frustrated with only a couple kids participating.JEANNETTE, MILL BAY, B.C.
Published May 2010
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