HOW TO DRESS FOR A KID'S PARTY: MOTHER AND CHILD

WHAT TO WEAR

Whatever the age, birthday parties are always a fun celebration, so make sure you dress right for the event. It can be a costume, princess dress-up, casual, or fancy, knowing how to dress your child for a birthday party can seem a little overwhelming. Use this guide to help navigate through the process, and your kids will always show up at the party in just the right attire.

Start with the basics: pull out the invitation and read the clues given there if there's one, if not, do not worry, Meggie and Angels have got you covered. Where will the event take place and what time of day? These two questions will determined the weather factors when choosing an outfit. Next, look to see whether there will be a theme. A princess or mickey dress-up will make it clear that costumes are needed. In the case of a dress-up party be sure to have your child bring an extra change of clothes.

Casual Attire

An outdoor party would definitely require casual attire. Be sure to dress your child appropriately, and bring an extra outfit for accidents up until age 5. Keep in mind that girls should always wear bike shorts under their cute dresses to ensure modesty when play gets more rambunctious. For casual parties it is always fun to dress children with the theme, even if it is not required. If your son is going to a "Ben10" party or your daughter to a "Dora" party, it is simple to find a shirt to go along with that theme. Avoid restrictive clothing at all parties, as the child is more likely to get fussy and aggravated if uncomfortable.

Fancy Dress

Boys and girls will sometimes be invited to kids' parties that require more formal attire. A girl's party themed or not should be approached very differently. While you should still consider comfort, it is also important to look nice. With active kids this may seem difficult, but as long as your child shows up at the party looking put together, that is half the battle. Boys should wear clean, unwrinkled clothes, preferably collared shirts. Young girls should wear a nice dress with close-toed shoes and matching accessories if you have them. Little girls need to have their hair neatly done, preferably in a braid, pony-tail or pulled-back style.

Kids' birthday parties can be fun events, and as a parent it is best to bring your child prepared for the fun. Not only does it relieve parental anxiety, it also helps your child feel comfortable . Along with appropriate attire it is important to bring along some essentials. No matter the age of your child, cleaning wipes, diapers, and a brush should always be handy.

0-6 years

For clothes, it's always good to have them put on a short dress that's cute, sweet and easy to move around in.

For hair, have braids if hair is long enough. If short or no hair yet, don't do anything with it. Maybe put in a cute head band. At these parties there are lots of games so try to keep hair out of your child's eyes.

7-10 years

For clothes, wear pants with a pretty shirt and maybe add a cardigan if the weather is cold. There are still games at some of these parties so jeans are not recommended.

For hair have in a ponytail, braid or pulled back with a cute headband.

11-14 years

These parties are more casual. Its okay to wear your skinny jeans due to the lack of games.

For hair, wear a pony-tail, braid or bunny.

For Mummy

A peplum top will conceal your tummy and colored jeans come equipped with ample stretch. Stay mobile with flat sandals, and add fun elements like a neon accented necklace and ring (if jeans are too hot). Slip on a white blazer in case you get chilly inside.

Wear a pair of premium jeans (ones that everyone's familiar with but cant afford) a pair of stiletto sandals, and a blouse that say " I'm here and I'm Fabulous". Whatever you decide to wear, wear it well and with confident.

Try to have fun both mother and child. Dads, am coming to you soon.

COLOR AND YOUR EMOTIONS

COLORS AFFECT FEELINGS

Color affects everything we do, from dressing, home,  work etc. How do we incorporate colors in our day to day living?

Color changes our moods, makes us happy or hungry, aggressive or lethargic, tired or angry, safe or uncomfortable, so it is important that you have some color theory knowledge to understand what each color means to help you create and choose successful color schemes for your house and children’s room.

For a child’s/children's room, there shouldn't be more than 3 to 4 colors that includes neutral colors like white, grey and black.

I've spoken to some of my clients about the choice of colors and how they affect children,  there is more to it than just painting your kid’s room. We should pay more attention to details. This includes the meanings of color, the theory behind colors and why we see it as we do. The composition and how to coordinate colors together to create stylish color patterns for your children’s room.

Even in our children's party decorations, the way colors are incorporated says a lot about the party whether it is for a child, girl or boy. I so loved myself and what I do after looking at pictures I took at a friend's child's birthday, i appreciated what color does to an event.

We are here to help and educate you make the best choice that will suit both you and your child/children.

Just a phone call can do all the magic- 01 2957094, 08082834865

HOW TO PLAN THE FOOD SERVED AT YOUR CHILD'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

TAKE TIME TO PLAN THE FOOD

Kids' birthday parties are special opportunities to lavish attention on the little ones we love. That doesn't mean we have to break the bank in the process, though. Birthday party tabs can quickly rise as we tack on pricey venues, entertainers, goodie bags, custom cakes and party food. But in reality, most kids are pleased with the simple things, especially when it comes to the birthday menu.

Trimming the food budget is one of the easiest ways to cut the cost of hosting a kid's birthday party. Start by finding out how many guests and type of guests. The birthday boy or girl probably won't request for anything his/her friends are not familiar with.

Limiting the guest list to a handful of close friends and family is another way to save money. A shorter guest list also guarantees that there will be plenty of snacks to go around. And if you're planning to serve food aside from cake and ice cream, ask parents about any food allergies. Food should add an element of fun, not stress, to the birthday party.

On the surface, planning a child's birthday party food menu seems like an easy task, but as many parents and experts will tell you, choosing the right food can get tricky. This is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks on your party "to do" list.

There are four important main things to consider when creating your child's birthday party menu.

• Factor in dietary restrictions and food allergies.
• Keep the menu as healthy as possible.
• Prepare food that doesn't stain clothing.
• Write up a detailed schedule beforehand, so you know what you can make ahead of time and how long everything will take.

Ask your nanny, family or friends to help with the prep work, so you aren't stuck in the kitchen during the entire party.

Is the cake ok?

When families start planning a child’s birthday party, settling on a cake design is often one of the first decisions made. How beautiful is the cake, the shape, size, design, texture etc. Knowing fully well that cake is the center-piece of any child’s party.

Don’t forget about the other party food, though. Little bellies need more than just sugar. Whether you’re going to serve a full meal or just small bites, it’s important to plan a balanced menu.

Timing is Everything

Start the party at a time that matches your menu. Don’t, for instance, expect guests to arrive at 5 p.m. and eat only peanuts and cake. A dessert-and-snacks party is perfectly acceptable, but hold it at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. instead--not at a time when attendees should expect a full meal.

Consider the Age Group

Older kids can eat just about anything-- rice, chops, ice cream, pop-corn, whatever. Serving those foods to toddlers doesn’t work, though. You’ll need to cut and arrange anything you plan to offer into small pieces. And be careful about feeding them anything too hard or crunchy, like carrots, or other foods that can cause choking in young children.

Serve Kid-Friendly Food

“Kid friendly” doesn’t mean you must serve heavy meals. Put out foods that are easy to eat and have broad appeal.

Need some ideas? Call Meggie and Angels to help you plan.

Match the Theme

If you can, choose foods that fit the birthday party theme. Serve small chops, snacks, and/or hot dogs. Or serve small, crust-less tea sandwiches for a teddy bear tea party.

Watch the Sugar

Birthdays are a time to indulge a bit so don't worry too much about giving your kids some cake and ice cream, but avoid an all-out sugar fest. At some parties, frosted cookies await the guests as they arrive, there’s cake, and then everyone goes home with a goody bag full of candy. Kids’s eyes might light up when they see the sweet feast, but they’ll leave with a bellyache and might end up turning into a behavior problem once they get home. Moderation is the key.

BE ALERT TO ALLERGIES

Ask parents ahead of time whether their children have any food allergies or intolerance, and plan your menu accordingly. Take special precautions as you prepare the food, such as carefully cleaning knives and cutting boards to avoid cross contamination and setting out cups labeled with the kids' names so a child who's allergic to apples, for instance, doesn't take a sip of another kid's apple juice. Take allergies very seriously, since for some kids eating the wrong thing can turn into a life or death situation.

If planning and preparing food is fun for you, awesome! Have fun coming up with a clever and tasty menu. But if being in the kitchen makes you break out in hives, don't sweat it, just allow Meggie and Angels sort things out and focus on making sure your friends are well taken care of and enjoy the day yourself as the celebrant’s parent.

TIPS WHEN CHOOSING BEDDING FOR YOUR CHILD

CHOOSING THE BEST BEDDING

The most effective strategy is to choose kids bedding that looks good, feels good and fits in the budget.

Of all the accessories that give character to a kid's room, bedding may be the most important of all. Bedding sets can make or break a bedroom, and standout. Bedding sets can make even ordinary beds and cribs look dazzling. Designs for princesses and ballerinas mean girls' bedding sets can perfectly mirror your daughter's personality. Pile on the charm with pillows, there's nothing cozier or more inviting. Baby boy bedding goes way beyond basic blue in surprising colors and boyish designs that celebrate animals, cowboys and sports. Anchor any design with matching window treatments or create your own decor with fabric by the yard. Unlimited options for cradle, bassinet and crib bedding can turn your nursery into a show-stopper. Don't forget the mattress, what's covered up is as important as what shows.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing kids bedding. Fabric, style, care instructions and comfort are all important. Ultimately, the best bedding option is the one that is right for the child, taking into consideration age and personal taste, as well as any allergies or sensitivities the child may have.

When choosing kids bedding, however, parents may wish to consider functionality over style.

For many people, the design of bedding, particularly comforters and bedspreads, is the most important element. This holds true of kids bedding as well as adults’ bedding. The child might have a favorite color or animal that can be included in the bedding style. She/he may wish to choose bedding options that feature a favorite movie or cartoon character. The extensive variety of styles available provides many choices.

Safety is also a concern. Kids bedding should be flame-resistant whenever possible. Highly flammable fabrics should be avoided. Bedding for young children should not contain embellishments that could pose a choking hazard.

Highly embellished bedding may also be irritating or uncomfortable. Parents should remember that the primary purpose of kids bedding is to provide the child a clean, comfortable place to sleep at night. Scratchy blankets or sheets that do not breathe well will lead to a less restful night for the child.

Further considerations are the size and style of the bed. Some custom-shaped beds may require special comforters. Right-sized sheets are also important to comfort. Sheets that are too large may bunch, while sheets that are too small may slip off of corners.

Price is also an important factor. Obviously the more quality the print the steeper the price, and also depending on where you buy it from will also determine how far you reach into those pockets. Make sure it is 100% cotton. If you simply want something that just does the job then go for a more simple print and plain duvet covers, otherwise if you’re feeling thrifty then go for the one that works, you only live once.

Note that the best person for choosing that right bedding for your child is Meggie and Angels. We work to give you the best, just call 08082834865 or send us an email at info@meggieandangels.com.