I always felt I needed to go all out for a party and that can easily get costly and quick - one of the most basic principles I keep in mind is who I'm actually throwing the party for {my kids} and how awe struck they are with the simplest things - one easy cut for me was to quit feeling the need to feed an army. Not thinking I had to prepare a well rounded lunch topped off with probably way to many sweets and entertainment to boot, we now choose the mid-afternoon hours where cake and ice cream are more than enough, plenty of time is left on either side of those hours to allow for other family activities our guests might have, and more focus can be put on spending time with the birthday boy or girl and their friends. I learned indeed that our little ones will always remember the time spent together over what was served or how extravagantly it was presented!
Kristen ~ www.maryhadalittleparty.com