| A party is always something special to do for | | | | as difficult as it sounds. The first step is to find all |
| your child for his/ her birthday. Everyone, adults | | | | the information you can on organizing a birthday |
| including, love the joy of birthday party | | | | party from the Internet. Next, look for a good |
| celebrations with the balloons, cake, presents and | | | | birthday party entertainer. |
| gathering of friends and family. | | | | An experienced party entertainer will provide a |
| However, when it comes to throwing a birthday | | | | great party entertainment package usually for |
| party, the question on many parents' minds is: "Do | | | | about 30min - 45min long. A good entertainer can |
| I organize it myself or do I hire a birthday party | | | | also package in games, balloon animals and host |
| planner?" | | | | the cake cutting for an even longer duration. |
| The convenient option is to hire a 'one-stop party | | | | However, besides providing entertainment, the |
| planner' who will handle everything. This is a | | | | entertainer is also a valuable source of information |
| tempting thought, especially if you are busy at | | | | and knowledge… for free! |
| work and have a million other things to handle. | | | | If the party entertainer is an experienced one of |
| The party planner's job is to be responsible for | | | | high standards, he/ she would have a wealth of |
| the party from beginning to end, which generally | | | | knowledge and contacts. The entertainer will be |
| lasts between 2 to 3 hours. With their experience | | | | able to provide suggestions on venues, caters and |
| and network of party support providers, these | | | | bakeries. While you will ultimately have to make all |
| planners could easily book the busy parent the | | | | the arrangements yourself, this insight from the |
| perfect venue complete with decorations and a | | | | party entertainer will definitely help you start off |
| cake, order food from the best caterers, and get | | | | on the right foot with the eventual freedom of |
| a clown or a magician to come entertain your | | | | choice of vendors. So technically, you are getting |
| child and their friends. Of course, one can expect | | | | almost the same professional expertise and |
| to pay a premium for quality, convenience, time | | | | advice that party planners may provide, at no |
| and expertise. | | | | additional cost. |
| Cost aside, there is a tradeoff, however. While | | | | Another positive point of just hiring a birthday |
| you do have the final decision-making power, your | | | | party entertainer is that you are in direct contact |
| choices of venues, caterers, places to get party | | | | with the party entertainer; you will be able to |
| decorations and gifts are generally confined to the | | | | effectively communicate your child's preferences |
| party planners' contacts. Naturally, due to personal | | | | and likes. This will ensure he/ she can customize |
| and commercial reasons, their inclinations are to | | | | the entertainment package accordingly. |
| stick with people and venues they are already | | | | Naturally, organizing the party yourself will take up |
| familiar with or have a business relationship with. | | | | your time and effort. However, your child's party |
| This may prove to be limiting and frustrating, | | | | should be seen as a personal project and also a |
| especially if preferences are dissimilar. | | | | chance to bond with your child by involving him/ |
| In addition, your child's birthday party is a personal | | | | her in the party decision-making. The usual |
| project and it is difficult for a third party to meet | | | | discussion between just parents can be |
| the expectations or vision that you might have. | | | | transformed into a bonding session between the |
| Miscommunication or misunderstandings may | | | | child and parents. And with your child's inputs, not |
| result in the planner's delivery falling short of what | | | | only do you empower him/ her but you will also |
| you have envisioned. | | | | be on your way to throw your child the perfect |
| The other option is not to hire a one-stop party | | | | birthday party! |
| planner but organize the party yourself. This is not | | | | |