Archive for April, 2017

Parents and Birthday parties

laurajane021 April 19th, 2017 No Comments

Parents and Birthday parties

Let me start this post by saying I don’t have children so as much as I can comment on this subject from an entertainers view it will not be applicable to everyones dynamics and parenting style. Parents at Birthday parties can be a very grey subject area. Children all mature differently and some will be ready to go it alone sooner than others but it there really a rule for when you should first leave your child at a party?

Likewise hosting a birthday party for a parent can be busy, stressful and overwhelming and what can add to this is thirty plus parents standing around or crowding up a space. So how can this be combatted from both the hosts and the parents side. I have put together my top five questions and answers below which I hope will help!

What age should I first leave my child at a party?

This is a difficult question to answer especially, as I mentioned above – I don’t have children. However I can give you my view from experience. Many children by the age of 4 and 5 have already been to dance classes, after-school clubs and activities without parents so logically this would be a good time to allow them to party solo. However I would strongly say this is number dependant (for everyones piece of mind). If you have a party parent with 30 children and only them to supervise with regards to health and safety it would be a nightmare however if you have entertainers, party parents and grand-parents then that is much less of an issue. Six years onwards is usually fine however I would ensure you leave an emergency number with the party parent before you leave – maybe party parents have a sign in and contact form at the party. I would say from 5 years up children are usually pretty good if they are left but again there is no right or wrong answer to this question (although I mean please don’t abandon me with 30 two year olds!!). Never feel bad if your child is 7 or older and wants you to stay. That is perfectly fine! Likewise never feel bad if you leave your five year old who you know is perfectly happy to stay!

If parents are staying where do I put them?

Check with your entertainment for the preferred area they would like parents to sit in. If possible set a far side of the room for parents (this ensures children are not distracted by them) and have chairs and tables there. Make sure they are able to chat but are far enough away so’s not to disrupt the party. (Which leads perfectly onto…)

Parental Chatterboxes (This is sure to be me one day!!)

Something that is very difficult when you are hosting a party whether as a parent or an entertainer is trying to keep the children engaged and whilst at the same time trying to cut through the parental chatter. It is a case of everyone making a little sound makes one very big sound but it is always something to be aware of for parents. Please keep this in mind when you are at a party. We as entertainers can only be so loud.

Do I feed them?

Do you or should you feed parents? This is completely up to you. Personally what I would do is in your “Parents Corner” set biscuits and nibbles up and then offer teas and coffees for people as they arrive. I think if parents are staying it is nice to have a little something for them however this is far from paramount at a party.

Finally should parents join in?

I love parties where parents are willing to join in with the games and activities (I have noted everyone is always very keen to join in with the crafts haha!) but this depends on your child and how comfortable the are with you joining in and also if you want to. If you have a child that isn’t keen on partaking you joining in can be of huge benefit! I think if you have a smaller party number and parents are willing to be involved that is also brilliant! I mean I thought everyone loved to play pass the parcel on a Saturday?

What people say when I tell them about my job

laurajane021 April 13th, 2017 No Comments

What people say when I tell them about my job.

When I set up North Wales Children’s parties I never envisaged the wonderful life and work it would lead to. No I am not basking in riches or holidaying in five star hotels but I am able to wake up everyday excited for my work and excited for what the future holds – this in itself is great gift. However there can be some interesting reactions when I tell people about my job.

Encompassing what I do into a small blurb or explaining to people briefly about my job and work can prove problematic…and can end up long winded. Anyone who knows me well will know that I can talk (and struggle to shut up!) but in particular I love to talk about my job(s).

Maybe I need a new description – thoughts?

I recently noted that I may need to alter my initial explanation of “I am a princess” when the lady I sat next on a plane coming home from holiday was bitterly disappointed to find I wasn’t actually related to the Queen but as she put it “oh, so you just dress up as a Princess?”. Which yes I guess is what I do for the most part (currently sat a Alice in Wonderland whilst writing this), however I always feel what I do is more than that. I think any “character performer” will agree that we lead a unique life (that is most definitely not for everyone) but is so much more than just dressing up.

To me it is about creating a world of (to quote Willy Wonker) “Pure imagination”. To think quickly on the spot and answer any questions or react to any information that the children say. It is the ability to learn and play, have fun and loose the self-conscious attributes that we as adults develop and can not shake. When you have jumped and twirled dressed in a ball gown in front of 30 children and parents Karaoke on a Saturday night no longer feels so daunting.

My work takes on many shapes and forms and as my good friend Sue would say I wear many hats. First and foremost though and what will I will carry with me forever (even when I age too much to be Queen Elsa) is that loving what you do, connecting with your imagination, creativity and having as much fun as you possibly can is the best job in the world. I will forever be enthusiastic about all that I do, but I will always feel we all do more than “just dressing up”. You never pay for the costume and the person you pay for the not only the training they have had, the love they have for their job, their time, their energy, their enthusiasm and but most of all the joy that the children experience stepping into a world of “Pure imagination”.

#morethanjustaprincess

Five things to think about when booking a children’s party venue

laurajane021 April 4th, 2017 No Comments

Five things to think about when booking a party venue.

Booking a party venue is one of the first things to do when you are hosting a children’s party. It may seem like a simple task however finding a venue that is available plus suits all of your needs can prove problematic as venues can book up very quickly! Due to this sometimes there is no room to be fussy however if you can be here are my five top things to think about when booking a party venue:

1: Have FIVE venues in mind!

This may seem like a lot but I would suggest keeping a bank of contact details for venues that you have vetted throughout the year. Maybe look at one leisure centre, two community centres and two church halls and have all of their details saved and ready to go when party season hits!

2: Parking Facilities and access facilities

This is VERY important! Try to avoid venues that have limited parking or parking that may result in people getting tickets or having to park dangerously! Also from an entertainers perspective – we really need a parking space especially if we are in a ball gown! Also if there are a lot of stairs this may prove problematic for guests with pushchairs, wheelchairs or glass slippers so lift access (and working lift access) is really important.

3: Kitchen and Toilet Facilities

Both need to be easy access, clean and have enough space to get all of the food prepped and cook if you need to. Also check for baby changing facilities as, especially with younger parties, they are often needed.

4: Plug Sockets.

This may seem like a very strange thing to add to the list however having no plug sockets or a lack of them can prove problematic, especially from our perspective. We always bring along an extension chord however this can be a danger in itself if we are having to stretch it over a distance with children running around. Poorly placed plug sockets (one venue springs to mind immediately) can be a nightmare for both yourselves and us so when you are setting tables up or seated areas for parents just have a check of where the plug sockets in the room are.

5: Size of Venue.

Cater your venue to your party size (that is children and adults). If you have a small number of children coming (10 or so) you will still have an adult per child a lot of the time which means that you need to account for that with the space. Likewise if you have a 30+ party you are going to want a lot more space as you could be catering for up to 60 space wise. Just something to bare in mind.

I have popped below my top ten venues for Flintshire and Wrexham which I hope you find useful!

In no particular order:

Flintshire

  • Hawkesbury Community Centre Buckley:
  • Hawarden Village Institute:
  • Mancot Village Hall
  • St Mathews Church, Buckley
  • Northop Hall Pavillion

Wrexham:

  • Hightown Community Resource Centre
  • Garden Village Institute, Kenyon Avenue
  • St Margrets Church Hall, Acton
  • Gwersyllt Resource Centre
  • Brynteg Memorial Centre, Quarry Road

get in touch

For more information about NWC Parties, packages, prices or to book a party please contact Laura

Address: North Wales and North West

Email: enquiries@nwcparties.com

info@nwcparties.com

nwcparties@yahoo.com

Phone: 07913963891

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