Stress free kids' parties

I loved this article by Natalie Trice and had to share it with you.

When I read Martha Stewart describing birthday parties being like road trips: getting there is half the fun. I laughed as I learned this the hard way when I planned a surprise circus party for my son. There were going to be clowns and acrobats flying through a big top whilst guests ate candy floss and had their faces painted. On paper it was perfect but when I told the birthday boy he burst into tears and whispered he didn’t want a circus party.  The thing is, whilst social media bragging and peer pressure have upped the party stakes, if we go back to basics, all that matters is the birthday boy or girl has fun and feels special.  Whether you rub your hands in delight at the thought of planning a party or reach for the wine bottle in despair, you can successfully keep a bunch of over-excited revelers, high on sugar, happy and entertained for two hours, you just need a PLAN.

ALL ABOUT THE THEME: Go with a theme your child likes, trust me on this. If they’re mad about Minecraft, how about a junk making party? Rock ‘n’ roll parties with instruments and a stage are great for budding musicians, a cupcake decorating party is cute and a treasure hunt for pirates will keep children entertained for ages.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: Whilst parties at home keep costs down, going for a Church hall, leisure centre, pizza restaurant or bowling alley often means leaving the washing up and mess for someone else; BOOK IT!

GUEST LIST: Whist it might be ‘PC’ to ask the entire class, extended family and Brownie pack, things will spiral out of control. Most children won’t think about putting noses out of joints they just want the people they like at their party – end of.

KEEP THEM BUSY: You can guarantee one irritating delightful guest will say your party was ‘rubbish’. Book an entertainer, have a disco, organise a karaoke competition and have a plan B, that way they will be busy from start to finish and too tired to complain when they are collected.

FAB FOOD: Be imaginative with food; ‘flying saucers’ (mini-bagels) and ‘moon rocks’ (rice crispy cakes) are loved by astronauts and telescope wraps are perfect for pirates. It you stick with pizzas and sandwiches make them star and heart-shaped and put out big bowls of snacks and fruit too, but no nuts.

INVITE EXTRA HELP: Some parents read party as ‘kid free shopping time’. However, be smart, ask some of them along, give them snacks and fizz and you’ll have a team of waitresses, peace keepers, toilet monitors and DJs for free.

A PIECE OF CAKE: Whether you make it or buy it, cake is key. Once the candles have been blown out don’t just slice it up and squish it into party bags, serve it as dessert. If it is too good to share, pop fairy cakes into the party bags and keep it for later.

PARTY BAGS: Speaking of party bags, not giving them out is pretty much social suicide. Funky, bright cellophane bags can be filled with pots of Play Doh, toy dinosaurs, hair clips or mini books and tied with a ribbon attached to a glitter filled balloon. If you want to do something a bit different, a cool alternative is a lucky dip, where each child picks a present and cupcake as they leave, simple but effective.

Finally, charge up your camera, relax and try to enjoy the party and smiles because these days don’t last forever.

P.S. If you hire a female entertainer who dresses up as Spiderman at tea time be prepared for the kids to talk, and the Dads to look!

Natalie Trice is a freelance journalist, writer and award-nominated blogger, she knows a thing or two about PR and social media too. She’s also a Mummy to two small boys, wife to Oliver and an owner of a cat and a dog. When she isn't writing or networking on Facebook, Natalie is an avid shopper, coffee drinker and collector of handbags and shoes. www.passionateaboutwords.co.uk

I guess my tenuous link of the day would be our great character inspired T-shirts which complement most themes - pirates, cops, knights, spacemen, cowboys and indians, witches and firemen.  You can check them out here. 

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Out and About - Farmer Palmers

For most of you it's half term and even if the sun's not shining today, at least the weather finally looks as though it's improving.  But, whatever the weather, Farmer Palmers Farm Park, Poole is an ideal family day out. You’ll get close to all sorts of farm animals, learn about them and have fun doing it. Plus, every day join in with the constantly changing, hands-on children’s farm Activities and Demonstrations.

To add to your adventure their Award Winning Farm Attraction has a real Farmer Palmer! There are lots of events and offers for the Autumn/Winter. Children can explore the play areas, whoosh down slides, pedal tractors, scramble through straw tunnels and much more! And there's even an indoor soft play area.

The farm has been in the family for three generations and, by diversifying and opening the Park (run by brother and sister Phillip and Sandra Palmer) they have ensured its survival.  They are proud to have won both national and local awards for their attraction and service because, as they say, 'we understand that family time is precious in this busy world.  Here at Farmer Palmer's we encourage children to explore, learn and gain confidence in the fresh air, in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.  It is so rewarding to see happy children's faces having fun during their family day out.'

You can watch cows being milked and have a go at feeding some of the animals yourself too.

As well as cows, they have pigs, ponies, alpacas, ducks, goats, lambs, deer and donkeys. They even have an owl called Alan.  

And for the grown ups, there's somewhere to relax with a delicious coffee in the warm Hen House Restaurant!  And if you don't fancy a spot of lunch, you can at least indulge in a slice of Dawn's cake! 

And because we can't resist a link, check out our hats and tops with great farm animals on them too.

 

  

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Truly Scrumptious - Madame Fromage, Cardiff

Having lived in Cardiff for 4 years and wandered through its arcades and market as a child, I have fond memories of the place.  And as a cheese lover I wish this place had existed when I was there.

And given my Welsh heritage on my dad's side and my mum's Breton ancestry, I wouldn't have thought it possible to find somewhere that embraced them both.  However, Madame Fromage in Castle Arcade, Cardiff, does just that!

With a daily portfolio of 150 French, Welsh and English cheeses you'll be spoilt for choice.  And their deli is also crammed full of jams, chutneys, oils, olives and sweet treats.

If you fancy a spot of lunch they have French gallettes, tartlettes and quiches or Welsh cawl and rarebit.  But even if you're only after a quiet coffee  you can experience the atmosphere of typical French cafe culture all year round in the beautiful Victorian architecture of Castle Arcade.

All images (c) Madame Fromage

Truly Scrumptious - Rachel Findlay of The Cake Stand, SW England

We all love the traditional three tier wedding cakes and have become familiar with the trendy cupcake, but when I saw these colourful fondant fancies I fell in love with them.

Having baked beautiful cakes for friends and family for the past 20 years, Rachel Findlay established the Cake Stand in 2010, specialising in elegant and unique cakes that reflect a couple's personal style and wedding theme.

Rachel skilfully crafts delicate flowers, butterflies, hearts, swirls and pearls from sugar and bespoke cupcakes are lovingly decorated with delicious buttercream, sprinkles and sugar-paste flowers, offering an alternative to the traditional tiered wedding cake.

But as I said, it's Rachel's scrumptious fondant fancies that caught my eye and if you prefer them in soft pastel shades or vibrant colourful hues they are easily whipped up to your taste.  

All images (c) The Cake Stand

Based in Somerset, Rachel takes orders in the SW of England and London and you can find out more from her website. 

Truly Scrumptious - Hackwood Farm, Shop and Tearooms, Derbyshire

We love good farm shops and this one in Radbourne, Derbyshire, is another great find.

Hackwood Farm Shop & Cafe opened in 2011 and sources produce from traditional local suppliers.  Their butchery is run in partnership with award winning Owen Taylor Sons.

    

And their cafe serves freshly prepared daily specials including breakfast snacks, light lunches and afternoon teas, again using locally sourced ingredients from the farm shop and other trusted suppliers. 

This Spring they are opening a small children's farm giving children the opportunity to see, hear and smell farm animals and understand where their food comes from. 

All images (c) Hackwood Farm

There will be a big welcome from Bobby the goat and all his friends when you go to visit.  Check their website for further details. www.hackwoodfarm.com

Truly Scrumptious - Nardini's Largs, Scotland

It's Bank Holiday weekend, so we're in search of an ice-cream.  This place is in our top 10 of ice-cream parlours, so we had to share should you find yourself near Largs.

A Scottish institution having opened in 1935, Nardini's is packed even when the beach isn't because of its delicious assortment of ice-cream.  With 32 flavours to choose from it's still the main draw of the lovely deco building that houses the cafe and restaurant.

All their ice-cream is prepared on site and you can even see them at work making it.  Single cone; double scoop; sundaes; or the Clyde Coast Extravaganza: 12 scoops of ice-cream with 16 toppings!

And better still it's open til 9 so you can squeeze in more than one visit on a day out!