According to popular Nigerian culture, first birthdays are expected to be extravagant – mascots, party packs, food, music, photographers etc.
Any large event can prove to be overwhelming, so the key is to start planning early. Below are some detailed tips that may be helpful when planning your child’s first birthday party.
1. The Budget: This is the most essential part of the process. Decide before you start to purchase things otherwise you will find you have created a large hole in your pocket! Write a list of all the things you will need for the party, how many people you will invite and then put costs beside each item. You may have to operate outside these costs but it will keep you in line – as mothers, we always want the best for our kids and we can sometimes go overboard!
2. Assistance: Do not feel that you have to plan the entire party on your own. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice from friends and family, especially those that have had a first birthday party recently. Every little helps and the right tip can save you time and money!
3. Guest List: I have chosen Nigerian first birthdays as the focus of this article because many considerations are peculiar to our people. For example, when you invite a couple and their child, know that they will bring along 5 or 6 nieces and nephews and possibly their parents to the party. This challenges every aspect of the party i.e. the amount of food, the number of party packs and so on. If you have invited 100 guests for your child’s party then you need to plan for 300 guests – twice the amount of adults and three times the amount of children. This will ensure that you don’t encounter shortages of any kind, because shortages can lead to violent stampedes!
4. MC: Make sure that you have a good Mc that can hold the children’s attention and also carry the children along. The Mc is possibly one of the most vital aspects of the party so if you have seen one you like, don’t hesitate to grab his details.
5. Party packs: When it comes to party packs, the same rule above applies. Plan for triple the number of children invited. One way to avoid a stampede at the end of the party is to station someone at the door/gate to hand out party packs as the children trickle out one by one. When shopping for party packs in Lagos, a good place to start is Iponri shopping complex at Surulere or Balogun Market on the island. Be sure to pick up an Ajapaworld combo pack or an Ajapaworld mini pack; the kids will love these fun and educative additions.
6. Timing: Remember to add two hours to whatever time you set for your guests! If you told them 12pm, expect them at 2. If you tell them 1, expect them at three. However, it is safest to start the party after lunch time, this will ensure that the birthday boy or girl is not in need of a nap.
7. Food: it’s always better for the food to be surplus than for it to finish before it gets round. My tip is to prepare a variety of food, finger food and desserts, so that food will not be wasted and people can actually focus on what they prefer. Those that don’t get one thing can be appeased with another. Also, don’t expect that the ice cream and yoghurt will be consumed by only the kids. If you are having an outdoorsy party you can rest assured that the heat will drive everyone to the ice cream stands! One mistake that is commonly made is the assumption that adults won’t be interested in the sweet desserts; well I learnt the hard way!
8. Drinks: Lots and lots of water! Kid’s drinks are priceless during these types of events, the kids will be running around and playing in the sun for most of the event and so food is not their priority; but when they get thirsty their batteries run down and they can’t scream at the top of their voices what do they do? Beeline for the drinks stand! And this brings me to my next point.
9. Toilets/lavatories/loos: This is extremely important. The toilets must be kept clean at all times. Children can get messy and so there should be an adult stationed there, ready to assist and clean up after the children. There’s nothing worse than a smelling wet muddy loo at a party…
10. Photographer: Don’t forget the photographer. It is important to freeze these moments in time. Your child will appreciate having the picture when they are all grown up (and can’t recall a single detail of the party)
Also note: If you can afford it plan the party at a venue instead of your house so that you don’t have to deal with clean up and you will be able to go home and rest straight away.
AjapaMums 