There’s only a small window (birthdays / years to be exact) of opportunity in which your children want or will allow you to do themed birthday parties.If you browse through the blog you will come across a few.

My window is slowly drawing to a close and since the Olympics happens every leap year (4 years)  I had to cease the moment.

It’s its great that the Olympics fall during both boys birthdays so it’s an ideal theme to pick.

Lets get started, whats on my list (Boys Birthday 2016):

• Budget
• invites (decide on a look that will take you through to the end, the thank-you cards or party favour gift tags)
• location – a great venue that will accommodate all your guests ,the theme and games you would like to do.Also needs to suit your budget.
• menu – very important as this is what I call an all-in-one as my family (think my Big Fat Greek Wedding family and you have an idea as to how big ours is)will also be invited so its class mates and family.I do try and make it as healthy as possible and do a variety of foods and I also have finger foods both sweet and savory.
• Party favour ideas – One of my favourites things to hunt for as I am very against the sweet pack and I try and find items that will go with the theme.
• Budget – very important as you can really get carried away if you don’t restrict yourself and I really don’t want to go crazy spending money on disposables I’ll never use again.
• Gift ideas – lets not forget not only are we throwing a birthday party for our children but that there is also a gift that goes with their special day.There will be family and friends who will ask you if there is anything your children might need or want(we have that kind of relationship)so the months nearing their birthdays the boys don’t really get any toys or rewards , but on any random shopping sprees if they see something they like we take out mom’s phone and take a photo.This way if someone asks we simply give them ideas ranging on the budget the person has.
• Decor – keep it simple and cheap.I usually use either disposable table cloths (super cheap) or we use the white catering table linen my mom made a few years back.I like to use glass for drinks and only ever have a few paper cups for the really small  kids, however in saying that if i look back to last year the paper cups were great because kids don’t sit around with a cup-in-hand and chat that drink up and go so perhaps I’ll use those paper cups again.I also purchase take away card board boxes or the aluminum  ones (really cheap from the Crazy Store) these are ideal for takeaways – all those yummy leftovers get to go home with your guests.
• Photobooth – old wood board will be getting a chalkboard revamp to look something like:
  

  http://www.theburghbaby.com/burghbaby/let-the-games-begin.html

  

  http://www.theburghbaby.com/burghbaby/let-the-games-begin.html

• Games – With it being the Olympics we definitely doing sporting events that everyone can do from the 3 Legged Race to giant eggs and spoon races.Yup moms I’ll be  Papier–mâché -ing  giant balloon eggs for the races.Rope for the Tug-of-war I found at Builders Warehouse.

I print out my list and carry it around in my handbag.It looks like a hot mess when I eventually take it out my bag once the party is over and done with but this sort of list is a big help during my preparations.

Notes:Although the boys birthdays are during the month I always plan and host their birthday party on the last weekend of the month.My reasons……….

1. Budget – I like to know that I can afford this birthday party.I do purchase a lot in the months heading towards their Birthday month to help the budget stretch.
2. Weather – it starts getting warmer as we head into the next season so making their birthday later in the month means better weather for the party.