Birthday parties for children can be a very stressful time. Who wouldn't feel their palms get slightly clammy at the idea of having 15 kids running wild on sugar rushes, squashing food into the carpet, falling over and fighting over presents?

Luckily, we're got ten top tips for a stress-free party.

Tip 1: Pick your venue wisely!
The more space for the party, the more smoothly it will run. If you're holding it in your front room try to clear away as much unnecessary furniture as possible. This not only creates space but reduces accidents. Where possible, try not to have the party at home. That way you can relax once you get back home!


Tip 2: Never rely on the weather
Our favourite venues are the ones that have a great space inside and a great space outside, meaning that the weather in no way affects your party. It also means that you can set up your food inside, to give people somewhere to shade, but the children can play outside. School halls and community centres are perfect for this.

Tip 3: Don't send your invitations out too early
Invitations to a children's party is the only time you can risk being too organised. People will forget if you send the invitations out way in advance, so try to gauge the situation on how organised the parents of your child's friends are. Three weeks in advance is more than enough.

Tip 4: Entertainment
Have a chat with your child, ask them what sort of party they would like. Themes can change a variety of things such as decorations, costumes, games, presents – the list goes on.

Tip 5: Food
Keep the food you prepare simple. Have lots of bowls for the kids to pick at and take to their own plate. Healthy snacks are very popular and very easy. A few carrot sticks, some tomatoes and strawberries go a long way! Some parents like to order pizza to be delivered, which they can let cool and serve as the children have finished playing.

Tip 6: Birthday cake
Keep the birthday cake hidden from the children until the last minute otherwise you can expect to find several little finger prints in the icing and possibly some of the sugary decorations missing.

Most people cut the cake to send home in the party bags, but we find the best thing to do is to leave the cake in one piece, take it away from the table and instantly bring out cupcakes for the children to eat. It's quicker, tidier and easier.

Tip 7: Party bags
Youngchildren expect some kind of gift when they leave, usually in the form of a party bag. It's really not worth spending lots of money on these, but there are still plenty of way to make them fun and elegant. You don't have to fill them, just a few sweets and maybe some pencils or a note pad, a cupcake and some little toys or accessories.

Tip 8: The (not so hired) help
Don't run a party by yourself! If you don't have any friends or family who have offered ASK. Many people are willing to help if you offer to return the favour and often the people who love to help are friends or relatives who don't have kids.

Tip 9: Thank you cards
If you intend to write thank you cards try to ensure you can sit with the birthday child when they open their presents so you can make a list of who bought what. Don't wait too long for this, as kids get impatient.

Tip 10: Don't panic
This might all seem like a lot, but with a little forward thinking it can run very smoothly. Don't try to do too much otherwise the party will fly by without you having the chance to sit and watch your child having the best party ever.

If you would prefer for someone else to deal with the organisation, contact the Teeny Tiny Part Company.

Have you got any tips for a stress-free party?