Birthday party planning is often a joyful process for parents. It’s one of the few times each year that we get to celebrate and honor the little ones in our lives by organizing a special occasion just for them. However, it always seems to creep up with little notice—before you know it, the date is approaching. Party planning has never been easier than it is now with the help of mobile technology at our fingertips. Many great apps are on the market to help streamline the process for busy parents. Below are a few suggestions to help you get the festivities under way, so order the cake, light the candles and cue the music—you have a party to plan!
- Explore Themes and Décor: Tap into the crafting community by perusing Pinterest (free, Apple and Android devices) and Etsy (free, Apple and Android devices) for theme ideas. Oriental Trading (free, Apple devices) also offers full party theme lines down to the very last decorative detail, and with the mobility of using a phone or tablet, you can add items to your cart at your leisure while on-the-go.
- Get Organized: Cozi Family Organizer (free, Apple and Android devices) is particularly handy for birthday parties. Users can create a checklist of action items on a timeline that suits their schedule and set up reminders when specific items are due, such as sending your invitations or ordering cupcakes from your favorite local bakery. You also can build out your grocery shopping list and add dates to a shared family calendar.
- Go Digital for Invites: Evite (free, Apple and Android devices) allows you to build a guest list, gather contact information, design invitations, schedule distribution, track RSVPs and send thank you notes, all from one simple platform. The best part is that parents no longer have to bear the expense of print invitations, because they are all sent digitally, via text or email.
- Involve the Kids: Once the party planning is underway, remember that it’s really all about the child’s having fun and feeling special. There are some educational, interactive app options that get kids involved in the process and help them feel like they’re contributing to the planning of their big day. Wendy’s Birthday Party ($2.99, Apple devices) features stories and games about planning a party around the fictional story line of Wendy’s birthday. Users who like this app should also consider Wendy’s Birthday Cake ($.99, Apple devices), where users can create a digital cake with filling, frosting, decorations and candles. Birthday Party Playtime ($1.99, Apple devices) features a digital birthday party, allowing users to choose a theme, pick a cake, invite friends, blow out the candles and even open presents.
Enlisting some of these apps will not only ease the preparation process, but will also make it an enjoyable experience for the whole family. Let the planning begin!
By Overland Park mom Brenda Hill who is the public relations manager, Kansas/Missouri region for Verizon Wireless.