1To start with decorative delicate cupcake are a complete NO NO for such a big crowd. No one
has the time to admire delicate sugarcraft (even though a few adults did and some childen gaped at them with astonishment ...still), adults had to help children to remove the cake liners (many children who did not notice it possibly ate it along with the cakes...oopsie!), too delicate to handle – each piece has to be handled individually – one little brush of the sleeve and the cream swirl would get all uneven.... so overall enormous amount of effort around it. However for a childs birthday party cupcakes are still a great option BUT...without the cream or sugarcraft – tasty options like baana cupcakes, or pineapple & coconut – all possible at home. Decorative, delicate cupcakes are meant for smaller get together of intimate friends/families. Worst V had to drive 20+20 kms in Bangalore to get them from the bakery – they clearly mentioned that ‘no delivery service’
2. Reduce the number of food items by 50% - yes, I had set 6 items per the menu...so cupcakes, apple crisp, mac n cheese, smiley potatoes, bananas & a juice box for each child. Figured that children especially when they are too many of them just like to jump around and play – food is their last priority. As friend suggested afterwards to possibly keep not more 3 items on the menu – so 1 sweet, 1 savoury and 1 juice – thats it. Same goes for adult food – biryani n rolls n kulfi – nopes – finger food works better- so rolls n kulfi would have been enough.
Overall as the event is slated for about 2 hours (11am to 1pm) the mind I guess cant stomach all the fun and games and colouring and story telling and the food – so quick bites is what one needs to plan going forward.
To introduce a positive spin to my 'crib post'...here is what I liked about Tara’s bday bash
- Most children enjoyed themselves – there was adequate space in our tiny apartment for the kids to dance, jump and play around. The music included some Zumba and latest Bollywood numbers like ...”chamak challo’ and saadaa haq”. Didnt notice when a few of them entered my bedroom and started to jump on my bed (blasphemous!) until one of them fell down and let out a small wail.
- The kids enjoyed the story telling as well as the colouring their mask – saw lots good energy there
- LOVED the decorations that V put up that morning!! Simple and really very nice.
- Happy that I did not get worked up seeing kids crying, juice spilled, baby Rohaan with cream on his foot (yep he walked over some cake), so happy with myself. I quickly went ahead and cleaned up – so that took care of the OCD in me J
- Overall happy that we could organise this party at home – I love home birthday parties – its definitely more personal and all the effort is completely worth it!
One piece that still puzzles me is the ‘return gifts’ phenomenon. For me its a complete no no – there is a big mafia out there who demand these. I don’t intend to change the world but I choo
se to throw a birthday bash without any return gifts. I still have to get my hand around this problem – possibly have more fun, keep some simple ‘loot’ ready to give around to those to have the most fun or to crying babies or cranky ones. Yes – need to brainstorm with some like minded people. The biggest piece of this challenge is to get V’s approval on this – he tends to lean on the fact that I am a wee bit revolutionary in this matter which I am not – I just remember the easy going fun birthdays we had when we were young without any pressure to give or take return gifts.
