You don’t know where the time has gone, but it’s time to celebrate your child’s birthday once again. You would stop time if you could and keep your child right here, at this innocent and carefree moment. Since you can’t do that, you want to plan a birthday bash that will be exciting and fun for everyone - a day your child will always remember and your guests will go home laughing and talking about for days.

Let’s get organized and plan out the perfect day:

It’s very important to decide on a theme for the party first. Ask your child for ideas so he or she can feel involved in the festivities. There are so many creative and exciting themes from which to choose, all of which would appeal to a child between the ages of 3 and 6. Here are a few options to discuss with your child:

A character theme featuring TV, movie or book characters like the Backyardigans, Blue from Blues Clues, Dora the Explorer, Pooh Bear, or JoJo from JoJo’s Circus
A nature or animal theme featuring jungle animals, farm animals, dogs, cats, bugs, or other critters your child loves
A theme just for girls, such as princess, or a theme for boys, such as knights.

Once you have decided on the theme, you can start picking out your party supplies, such as plate, cups, napkins, table covers, plastic cutlery, balloons, streamers, wall decorations and banners, birthday candles, and cake pans. All of these supplies can be purchased in quantities to fit your budget. Keep things simple for yourself and order all the supplies in a birthday theme package.
Don’t forget the party invitations! Send these out about three weeks before the party to give the parents of your guests time to get a present and reserve the day. The children will eagerly await the party day.
All children love to be creative, so the more ‘hands-on’ projects you have planned, the more successful the party will be. You can play games and create crafts that go along with the theme of the party. The children will be proud of their creations and will look forward to showing their parents what they made when it’s time to leave. It will also give them something to remind them of your child’s fun-filled birthday party.
Gift giving can go both ways. Remember your guests with themed party favors. The children will feel special if they also receive a gift to take home, and your child will feel great about sharing with friends.
After all the celebrating is over and your child has smothered you with kisses for such a terrific party, remember the thank-you notes. These can also follow the theme of the party. Help your child write and address them to all the children who attended the party. You can spread this project over a few days so it doesn’t become too overwhelming for your child. Children feel important when they receive mail and it will remind them of what a super time they had at your child’s birthday party.
Once you have your party pictures developed, or if you have a digital camera and a printer, you can make a special gift for all of your partygoers. Foam frames are a wonderful and inexpensive way to make a permanent memento of your child’s birthday.

Now the party is over, and you can sit and relax knowing your child and friends will always remember the perfect birthday you planned… at least until next year!

About the Author: Birthday in a Box offers a wide variety of children’s party supplies including basic partyware, decorations, party favors and personalized items in over 100 party themes featuring everything from licensed characters to baby shower designs and beyond!