Birthday Thank You Cards

Children look forward to birthdays like they look forward to Christmas – with intense excitement and anticipation. As a parent, there are only so many birthday parties you will have the privilege of planning for your child before he or she grows up. Make the most of those tender young years by throwing an unforgettable birthday party that will be enjoyed equally by your child and his or her party guests. To make sure you avoid birthday party mishaps, here are a few etiquette rules you should keep in mind.

Selective Invitation Rules

If you’re planning to hand out birthday party invitations to your child’s classmates, only do so if you plan to invite everyone in the class. If you only want to invite a select few kids, avoid causing hurt feelings by mailing the birthday invitations directly to their homes.

Plan Enough Food for Everyone

There is no rule that says you must provide food at your child’s birthday party, but if you do, make sure you plan enough for every party guest. This includes any parents who plan on attending your child’s birthday party along with their young children.

When to Open Presents

Whether or not you choose to have your child open gifts in front of guests depends entirely on your preferences. If the party is being attended by very young children who might want to keep the presents once they see them, it is perfectly acceptable to open them after the party guests have left. Just make sure guests feel appreciated by promptly sending them birthday thank you cards. Make each card personal by mentioning something about the specific gift given and how much your child enjoys it.

Prepare Your Child

Prepare your child in advance to be a good host by instructing him or her to greet each guest as they come to the door, make sure everyone feels included and share toys. If your child is a good host, his or her birthday gifts are much more likely to enjoy the experience.