Jump to content
soapdragon

Nine 5 year olds in a village hall!

Recommended Posts

Getting stressed!

 

YS has just turned 5 and we have 9 for a party in the village hall on Sunday 11- 1pm. I am doing food boxes which I can make up at home as the kitchen is tiny and it will save the 'smash and grab' that always seems to happen at parties and results in loads of leftover food. Games will be Pin the Patch on the Parrot (vague piraty theme going on here!) obstacle course with potato and spoon in teams, musical chairs, farmersin his den and pass the parcel. Threre will be a crafty table with stuff from Yellow Moon (make your own keyrings, decorate little boxes, make a bookmark etc) and some home made buns and bought gingerbread men to cover with E number packed icing and sprinkles :roll:

 

Added pressure is that 6 of the mums have announced their intention to stay too so will feel like OH and I are 'on show'! Also I feel the need to provide food for said mums,even if only dips and crisps....I know that I am being feeble but feel like this is looming large so am bending your poor ears. I just hope that we have enough to keep them occupied! ES, bless him, is desperate to help the weenies with the crafty stuff soI can hand that to him :clap:

 

The hall is small (but cheap - hence its booking) so space is at a premium and entertainer 'out' due to cost. Cake will be choc sponge with black cherry jam and an Octonauts cake topper courtesy of E bay; no party bags just a small book - bought in bulk from The Book People. I think I have everything covered but have lists and lists and lists........please tell me to get a grip; I am 48 for goodness sake and its hardly the royal wedding but any pearls of wisdom from those who have 'been there/done that' would be really welcome!

 

OOOOOOhhh, I feel betterfor that........! :oops:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dips are good and crudites and tea/coffee and little cakes (waitrose do more up market ones) for the parents. I helped a friend whose son went to private school - mums all expected fodder - she was well stressed. At the primary school my sons went to it was "dump and run" - wahaay "me " time. I am sure it will be fine. If they werent driving you could get em sloshed :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, quite agree, get a couple of them to help with them going to the loo.

If you have any aubiose/chicken stuff/straw put it in a box and do a lucky dip for the going home presents. The kids love digging around for their pressie, far better and easier than party bags. If you are having cake going home, do that half way through so a mum can cut up and stick in cling film for going home. Music for them is good too.

TBH, sounds as if you are pretty organised. They normally turn up early too, so be prepared and then it can take ages for everyone to go as they are having so much fun......and I used to think when are they going home. So, position someone by the door with the going home presents, so they will flock to that and then go home. Then off for a glass of wine or two! Good luck !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A game they love at school (Key Stage 1) four coloured sqaures or you could have a pritate themed picture one in each corner. Children dance when the music stops they have to go to a corner an adult who is not looking calls out a colour or pirate item and the children in that corner are out, so it continues until only one child is left or a couple if you are feeling kind :D:D Not sure what its called but always good fun.

 

Musical statues are another favourite.

 

Good luck.

 

Chrissie

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another thought, one box for presents to be put in and one box for accessories they bring eg cardigans, handbags!, toys, hats etc so they can put them in the box ie not dumped somewhere and you know where they are ready for speedy exit at the end of the party, no wailing child going where is my bunny!? :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you, thank you...I fel much beter now (no-one would need therapy if they had access to lovely Omleteers!! :lol: )

 

Yes, I will be assertive and put some ofthe mums to work....had planned dips and crisps for them tho prob not wine as they will all be driving but we Dragons will def go to the pub after (its only a few doors down from the hall!! :wink:)

 

I stocked up on choc coins (treasure - pirate thing again!) after Xmas in the sales :shock: so can dish those out in case of emergency!

 

Thanks again everyone :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We used to run Beavers and Cubs and when we needed to we would get them to play Sleeping Lions. They just lie down and the one who sleeps longest or is most quiet wins. I was always amazed that it worked and that they went along with it but it was great if we just needed a few minutes downtime.

 

OH swears that all his childhood parites had AT LEAST half an hour of sleeping lions but I think he must be exagerating!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let me start by saying your party sounds fab, very well organised and nothing to panic about. I think you have everything covered. Some great ideas too.

 

DS is now 8, I've done the parties and also been to many. I don't recall having food laid on for adults, they may help themselves once the kids are finished but never anything separate. that includes parties where the kids have a lunch box. Maybe we are a tight bunch here!

 

At five I was glad when children could be left at a party, I think your parents need some encouragement to let there children have some independence, once one does it others may be encouraged. If there is a table by the door with a pen and large obvious piece of paper headed contact details/child that may help.

 

Have fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Soapdragon, its sounds like a wonderful party, wish I was invited :lol::lol:

I dont think you need to feed the grown ups either, infact am supprised that they are even staying..

Used to drop mine off and run ..enjoy some time with out the little darlings, mind you it was a long time ago now and I do think the pressure is so much more now.

Hope you all have a wonderful time and enjoy your large glass of wine in the pub later.

Happy Birthday to the little one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I remember when we had a party for my son at home with lots of his friends. One boy got quite upset (I think it was his 6th or 7th bday) and his mum ended up staying, much to my hubby's dislike. Only because we had loads of games organised and really didn't want to be performing in front of parents. I also wouldn't put food on specifically for the parents who stay and just let them nibble at what's left. Maybe a gentle "the party finishes at x time if you want to go off and come back later?" and leave it up to them. Maybe they haven't even thought of leaving their child. Sometimes things like this can become the norm, even though everyone wants to run off and have an hour or so of peace :wink:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Feeling more in control now as have done the shopping, made up the food boxes with names on and pirate stickers, wrapped pass the parcel - organised arty/crafty stuff and briefed ES about it all. Cake to make tomorrow pm (we are out am, sadly! Bad planning!)

 

The mums who are staying are mostly from other villages and obviously don't want to drive 10/15 mins or so back and forth (wimps!! :shock: )I am with everyone else on the 'getting some me time' front..ideal opportunity but,as others have kindly suggested, I will put them to work so they may regret it!

 

Will try and post some pics on Sunday pm! Thanks again for all the kind, helpful comments and encouragement...the older I get the wetter I get :roll:

 

Soapdragon, its sounds like a wonderful party, wish I was invited
You would be very welcome, Margaret but the new more assertive me may well hand you a tea towel!! :lol:
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have done a few home and church hall parties over the years, the most successful one we had was a crafting one where we made plaster of Paris figures and plaques and the children painted them or painted pictures if they preferred. The worst one was a disco where the DJ electrocuted himself on his equipment whilst setting it up. Fortunately he was ok and had his mum with him and they were able to continue, although they were hopeless at engaging the children and we had one boy who decided that he was Sadam Houssain and was going to kill everyone and started throwing chairs and tables around. He was only 9 :shock::evil:

 

I would say the fact that you have plenty for them to do, only a small number and the parents will be there will add up to a good party. If the children act up you can hand them back firmly, or call in reinforcements.

 

Relax you sound organised, still keep calm and speak to the children and adults firmly and you will be fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, its all over now and we emerged unscathed apart from me with a black eye :lol: We got to the hall and were frantically getting set up..I went to one of the wall mounted kitchen cupboards to get some mugs out for Mum's teas etc and the door was already slightly ajar. As I opened it properly a stack of teaplates came hurtling towards me; I managed to grab all but the top one which hit me on the side of the eye socket - right on the bony bit - hit the floor and shattered!

 

So much to do so carried on but kept getting funny looks from people and OH looked and said 'OMG, you have a huge black eye'! Clearly a party to remember!

 

Parents didn't eat much of the food provided for them - lesson learned! One child turned up with BOTH Mum and Dad in tow, another Dad stayed only to watch his little darling behave like an utter hooligan and smiled fondly all the while :twisted: All they wanted to do was to run around or do the crafty stuff on the art table....pin the patch on the parrot went doWn like a lead balloon and most of the time it was like trying to herd cats so I gave up!

 

Amazing how many opened their lunch boxes and immediatly announced 'I don't like ham/cheese rolls' - whats not to like!?

 

One and a half glasses of wine later I feel much better! Thanks for your support,everyone! :clap:

Edited by Guest
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




×
×
  • Create New...