Tips for Great Kids' Birthday Parties from A Little Savvy Event

If you're a parent (and you probably are if you're reading this), you know what a big job planning a child's birthday party is. Whether you plan a party yourself or hire a planner to do it, there's a lot of work to be done, but also a lot of fun to be had.

We asked Kelly McLeskey-Dolata , the party pro at  Sonoma's A Little Savvy Event for some of her tips for planning the perfect birthday party. A Little Savvy Event creates children's parties and showers and other once-in-a-lifetime events in Marin and the Wine Country that are stylish, whimsical, and fun, and consistently wow both kids and grownups. The photos accompanying this article are from the "Puppies and Polka-Dots" birthday party they recently organized at Larkspur's wonderful Modern Cookie Company for the daughter of local jewelry designer Ashley Morgan. Check out their website at alittlesavvyevent.com to learn more about them and their parties.

What's your singlemost important tip for parents planning their child's birthday party?

The party is for your child and about them, so really try to express who they are at that time in their life into the theme and the party!

When should you consider outsourcing to a party planner?

Nowadays a lot of parents both work and don't have the time to focus on the party so they opt for easy things i.e. Chuck E. Cheese or places that do a more generic party theme because they don't have to worry about it and they do it all. You can hire a planner to come up with that creative theme with you and create the details and you can be a guest at your own party. You can hire a planner to give you the ideas all the way through to the full event production. It really is a new concept but one that is taking off.

What are some of the hottest kids' party themes right now?

Princess parties are still hot and sports themed parties, too, but what we are noticing and what we love to do is really get to know our families and come up with a theme that hasn't been done or a theme that really reflects the child and the family. We have some fun ones coming up this summer that if you Googled it you wouldn't find it! Stay tuned!

What are the benefits and drawbacks of holding an outdoor party?

Weather is always a drawback as you really can't predict the weather. It can be really hot or it could rain… yes even in July it can rain so you always want to make sure you have a weather backup plan and that you are happy with that backup plan because you just might have to use it!

What are the pros and cons and having a party at home vs. at another location?

Home parties are great because you are in your own space, however when you select another location you are probably selecting that location because you can be more creative and you can do more things with the space. It is always fun when you select a location that works with your party and theme.

What tips can you offer on keeping a party running smoothly?

Have a schedule and try to stick to it. Kids like things to do so have different activities to keep the kids busy and have an order of events. You don't need a lot of structure, but some structure to your event is good.