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By Shelly Radic
 Logistical nightmares, gut-wrenching decisions, family dynamics, and neighborhood politics - moms across the country report facing one or more of these challenges while creating the birthday party guest list for their children.
Building a better guest list – one that meets the challenges faced by so many moms and pleases the birthday child – begins with these basic construction principles.
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- Set boundaries. How many guests can be accommodated? Take a careful look at party logistics. How many children can the party space safely accommodate? How many children can the adults helping safely supervise? How much time, money, and energy are available to invest in the party?
- Consider personal preferences. How many guests do you want to accommodate? Consider the personal preferences of the parents and birthday child. Is the birthday child more comfortable with a few close friends, or surrounded by a large number of people? As the birthday parent, do you thrive on a large crowd or an intimate gathering? What about your spouse?
- Keep the project on budget. The two simplest ways to keep the guest list “on budget” are to invite only the child’s closest friends – those children he talks about the most and spends substantial time with – or only children from one social circle. On the MOPS Party Discussion Board, one mother wisely shared that when she and her child look at birthday pictures in years to come, they should be able to recognize the people pictured.
- Be environmentally friendly. Friends, classmates, and family members not on the party guest list can be included in a variety of ways. Take birthday treats to school or play group. Invite relatives for birthday cake on an alternate date. A friend not included because of age, gender, or other reasons could be invited to share in a special birthday play date. One mom invited all the children in the neighborhood to play in the bounce house after the traditional party, which included only male classmates, was over. Instruct your child to refrain from talking about the party around those friends not included on the guest list.
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Building a better guest list results in an enjoyable party for birthday child, guests, and parents.
Looking for more “building” ideas? Check out Shelly Radic’s Construction Party birthday suggestions.
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Shelly Radic is the Director of Group Life at MOPS International and also the author of The Birthday Book: Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Child’s Special Day. Having hosted more than forty children's birthday celebrations, and attended countless others, Shelly is delighted to provide parents with a wealth of birthday planning ideas.
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