AboutPatty Sachs Expertise Anything about planning parties for weddings, showers, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations,retirements, bar/bat mitzvahs, business promotions, fund raisers, and civic events. If I cannot answer I will direct you to the answer.
I am not an expert in children or teen parties. There are hundreds of sites that specialize in that information if you google "kids parties" you will find an amazing amount of bright ideas. We do have a page on our site that leads to al the different kid's party themes, however. http://www.partyplansplus.com/themes.htm
Not for those seeking information about party/event planning as a career. That information is found on the internet under "event planning careers" or at our site www.partyplansplus.com/started.htm
Experience My complete bio is at http://www.pattysachs.com/bio.html
Question MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO DO A COSTUME PARTY AND WANTS ON THE INVITES COSTUME AND GIFT REQUIRED NOTEING THAT GAG GIFTS ARE FINE. IS THAT OKAY? ALSO DO WE HAVE TO PROVIDE A PARTY FAVOR?
Answer Dear April:
There is a standard rule in party planning and that is that NEVER mention gifts on an invitation--you are not even supposed to say "No gifts please"...occasionally, someone will say "Gag Gifts Only" but that is usually for older people, like turning 40, 50, 60, etc.
If your girl was to insist upon gifts I assure you that other parents would be aghast and it wouldn't look good for your daughter. An invitation cannot be an invoice. A gift is given without prompting. I urge you to talk your daughter out of the "required gift" mention.
A party favor is not necessary since you are providing refreshments, decorations, etc. BUT a small token gift as a remembrance of the event, perhaps even a Polaroid photo or a cute pen and pad...would be nice. You can find some very cute items at the dollar store--with greater value than $1.00. The little favor says, "Thanks for coming to my party..." and is especially good if gifts were given.
At a small child's party, a gift is always given but for a teen, unless the party is all girls, gifts may be replaced with a card. Teens don't generally buy gifts on their own.
I hope this have been helpful to you and that your daughter has a fine party, with her friends.
