My eldest first attended school a month before she turned 3 (her birthday is July) so it didn't take a month before I was faced with the new dilemma - celebrating her birthday in school.
Classes started mid June and although it may be a bit weird to announce a party when school had just started, we pursued with our plan of throwing my daughter's 3rd birthday party with her classmates. From then on (and in the last 4 years) she always had a birthday celebration in school.
Over the last four years, I have learned a lot about partying in school based from my own mistakes, boo boos and successes. With 2 kids now going to school, it means I have to plan 2 class parties annually. Thankfully, I am now armed with these tips to help me execute simple but unforgettable school parties for my adorable little ones.
Please allow me to share my two cents worth of bright ideas to help celebrate your kid's birthday in school:
1. Send out an invitation one week before your intended day of party in school. Better if you can get a list of names of your child's classmates so you can personalize each invitation. Invites doesn't have to be expensive - you can buy those pre printed generic ones at National Bookstore or if you have creative hands, go design and print your own party invites. There's a lot of free printable invitations too ready for download from the internet.
2. Serve food appropriate for children. Save your morcon and chilli crab recipe for adult parties. This is for your kid, hence, serve party food for children like spaghetti or mac and cheese, fried chicken, pancakes (if early breakfast).
It's also good to serve what the celebrant likes to eat so he/she enjoys the food too! Example, if your child doesn't eat spaghetti (like my daughter) but you want to serve that on her birthday, make sure you have a separate pack of her preferred food for her to eat (take it from my own experience!).
3. Pre pack the food so it's easier for you to serve each child. Consider that the teacher allotted only the recess time for your child's celebration and would want to go back to class schedule on time.
Better yet and if your budget allows it, just order from your kid's favorite fast food (read: McDo, Jollibee or KFC).
4. Serve "just enough" food depending on child and his/her classmates' age. For example, a nursery (3 year old) may be overwhelmed with chicken, spaghetti, rice and burger so it may be best to serve in smaller servings.
5. Consider cupcakes for candle blowing instead of regular birthday cakes. Cupcakes are easier to serve and distribute although the downside is it may be more expensive.
6. Bring extra food for teachers, and other relevant people (hehe). If your child is taking a school bus service, allocate food for the bus driver and assistant too.
7. Prepare loot bags with small toys and a few goodies. All kids love getting some treats to take home after a party. Consider that as a 'thank you' token to them for helping you celebrate your kid's milestone.
Remember you don't have to make the celebration grand. The important thing is your child is happy and he/she knows you made her birthday with her classmates and friends a memorable one.