Children's parties

Looking to organise a children's party?  Whether you have a small budget or a large budget, careful planning is the key to making it a successful event. We speak to Oscar Weiner to find out how to make your children’s party the best it can be.

As owner of West Hampstead-based Oscar’s Den, Oscar has been in the party business for more than 25 years and has organised everything from small parties for two children up to large parties for more than 1,200.

Tell us about a party for two? "It was for two Middle Eastern children, but they had everything you could think of including 1000 helium balloons!".

And your biggest party? "That one was for a corporate bank and was for over 1,200 children. We themed it on Alice and Wonderland with all the character's to entertain and a fabulous Mad Hatter's Tea party for all the children to enjoy. It also included a three sided Grotto with three Father Christmas's to hand out beautifully wrapped presents and lovely helium balloon's for the children to take home."

Oscar also revealed how things have changed. "Children's parties have changed considerably over the years," he says. "Children have become more sophisticated and seem to expect a lot more."

On the ongoing dilemma, party at home or at a venue, Oscar explains: "Parties at home are more family orientated but you do have the mess, and it is a lot more work. It is great to have a venue for large parties, you have the scope and the space and no mess to clear up. But it is a personnel decision depending on the circumstances and the time of the year. You also have the expense of hiring the venue."

And his most unusual request? "To supply a baby elephant to turn up for the birthday child to ride. Also a complete funfair circus party in one of the Royal Family homes."

Oscar's top 5 tips:

1. Make sure there is enough room for the children to have fun.
2. Make sure the birthday child is made a fuss of and you use the right
entertainment for the children's ages.
3. Seat the children on small tables and chairs or high chairs when they have tea.
4. Lots of Helium Balloon's make the atmosphere very jolly and the children love them.
5. Don't forget a party bag filled with little gifts for the children to take home.

Contact:

Oscar's Den
127/129 Abbey Road,
London
NW6 4SL

Tel: 020 7328 6683
Web: www.oscarsden.co.uk

First published in issue 3 of JLifestyle. Reproduced with permission from JLifestyle.

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