Make A Bear Birthday Party Checklist
6 to 8 Weeks Before The Party
o Pick a date and time
o Create a Guest List
o Decide how long the party will be - most parties are 2-4 hours depending on the type of party.
o Decide on a theme for the party.
o Call to Book a Bears n Buddies Hostess or order your Do-It-Yourself Birthday Party Kit
3 to 4 Weeks Before The Party
o Prepare invitations and be sure to put RSVP information and a date they should reply by – mail or hand deliver them.
o Make sure your guest list is near the phone so you can record the RSVP responses.
o Purchase Party Supplies: - visit: www.yourperfectpartyshop.com everything is delivered to your front door.
§ Decorations
§ Streamers
§ Balloons
§ Centerpiece
§ Tableware
§ Large Plates
§ Cake Plates
§ Luncheon Napkins
§ Beverage Napkins – for the Cake
§ Cutlery
§ Tablecloth
§ Extra Activities/Games – If you are doing your own Do-it-Yourself Party you may wish to add some more activities or games. See our Theme Ideas for some suggestions.
§ Craft Items
§ Prizes
o Other Supplies you will need for your party:
§ Order a Cake – If you are not making your own.
§ Cake Platter & Serving Knife
§ Video Camera and Video Tape
§ Camera & Film
§ Batteries for your Camera and Video Camera
§ Extra Table and Chairs
2 to 3 Weeks Before The Party
o Plan your menu
o Parties planned around meal time should include food and not just cake and ice cream.
o Parties that are not planned during meal time can be cake, ice cream and beverages only.
o Decide if you want finger foods, buffet or sit down type meal.
o Remember that many foods can be made ahead of time and heated the day of the party.
o Plan your activities – other than the Bears ‘n’ Buddies Hostess activities if the party is longer than 2 hours.
o Pick age appropriate games
o Remember that children under 3 have a smaller attention span. They don't always like to share or wait their turn and would be happy just sitting around playing with their friends and toys.
o Plan on a few extra activities in case everyone wants to play more. Better to have too many than too little.
o Make arrangements for help for when the Bear ‘n’ Buddies Hostess leaves if you are having a hosted birthday party.
1 Week Ahead Of Your Party
o Get a final count on the guests – call any guests who have not responded.
o Prepare a final list of the menu items, games, prizes and paper goods and ensure that you have enough for each guest plus extra.
o Purchase food items that don't need to be prepared or can be prepared and frozen until the event.
o Check with and confirm all orders for food items ordered for the party.
o Find the camera or video camera and be sure to have enough film, extra batteries or charge your camera batteries.
o Be sure to have extra batteries of all sizes in case the birthday person gets something that needs batteries and they were not included. Nothing worse than having something to play with and no batteries.
The Day Before Your Party
o Decorate... it will make the day of the party less stressful. If your party is outdoors then you should wait for the day of the party to decorate.
o Make sure to put away items that may be dangerous or you wish not to be broken.
o Some foods can be prepared now and will hold nicely until the party - be sure to consult your recipe or someone who knows food.
o If your party is early in the day than you can probably pick up the filled balloons - check with the people doing them and they will let you know. Ask for high float in your balloons - it helps them last and fly higher.
o Be sure to defrost items made ahead and frozen.
o Prepare the activities and the prizes.
o Try to get the guest of honour to bed early as the excitement of the party the next day he/she might have a hard time falling asleep.
Party Day...
o Have a cup of coffee or tea then go over your lists one final time.
o Pick up the cake.
o Prepare the rest of the food and beverages.
o Decide what to wear and lay it out.
o Small children will need a nap before the party.
o Think about putting your pets in an area away from the guests. Even if your pets are very friendly – children get very excited and sometimes loud which makes even the friendliest dog anxious.
o Be sure to take time out for yourself to rest and relax before the event.
o Turn on some music softly.
o Don't forget the camera...
HAVE A GREAT PARTY
