We look forward to doing something similar next year!

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Since starting out as a children’s entertainer 16 years ago, I was personally hosting on average about 8 parties a week (not including the parties I was sending my performers to) all around Sydney (right up till late last year when I fell pregnant with twins). I remember the average 5th birthday party where all parents would drop off their kids and come back to collect them 1.5 -2 hours later. This was the case 9 times out of 10. Something has completely changed over the last 7 or so years and I am curious as to why?

These days I am now running our magical party venue and since opening, all the parties we have hosted have all had parents stay in our cafe at the front of the premises- anywhere from 25-35 adults at any given party! The parent organisers have not only paid for the children’s entertainment but they are purchasing packages for parents to stay and eat and drink. This is more business for us but I really wonder if it is necessary for parents to have to spend all this extra money and host the parents of the invited guests while they don’t really get the time to focus on their child’s special day and the entertainment for the children which is what it is supposed to be all about.

As a mobile entertainer, I didn’t mind an adult audience at all but I did want the children to have the best experience they could at a party and keep the focus totally on them – from my experience it was the parties where children had the freedom away from their parents watching over them who had the most fun. They couldn’t wait to tell their mum and dad EVERYTHING that happened when it came time to be picked up. It was their special little escape, where they could feel mature beyond their years for an hour or two.

Parties used to be very much focused on the children and you would have mum and dad there with the video camera and maybe some close relatives of the birthday child. There was space for children to play and see their friends outside of school in a fun environment. Now children are almost drowned out by the number of adults who stay and watch the party- sometimes cramming the space available. Parents who are organising the party are unable to know numbers of people to cater for properly, no idea if siblings will be brought along- the situation has made party planning far more stressful for parents in my opinion.

Personally, I feel it’s a shame that kids parties are now planned for parents. It should be all about the children and especially the birthday child. As a future parent, I don’t exactly want to spend each weekend ferrying my kids around to parties one after the other- it’s their little social event and it should be just for them. I also want my kids to be confident and not too needy at a young age- I think allowing them to go to parties on their own gives them this feeling and is a good boost for their character.

I’d love to hear what others think about this? Do you remember as a child yourself being dropped off at parties? I’d love to know some reasons as to why there has been such a major shift in past years. Is it that people don’t trust their kids with anyone these days?

Here’s an article on the topic to copy and paste into your browser…  http://mom.me/toddler/14264-remember-when-birthday-parties-were-kids/

A photo from my own 5th birthday party back in 1987- the only adults there were both my parents, my aunty and my older brother with his friend who helped run the games…..the whole backyard was for us to play in and the photos were of the kids I went to school with- not of their parents hanging around in the background. It was about us. I’m the one in the fairy dress and wings (naturally) 😉 

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Here is the 1st of our fancy themed High Tea days! We will be holding a special High Tea every month along with a new theme. These High Teas are different from our standard weekly tea (more info coming on these) as they are much more extravagant with design, food, drinks and entertainment. On our Mad Hatters High Tea both adults and children will delight in seeing costumed characters serving them, prizes, face painting, storytelling, competitions, trivia and balloons. Get set for something really fun and delicious! Perfect for all ages. Bookings are essential and limited seating is available so please be quick!

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The party was a complete success!! Parents were welcomed to stay for light refreshments in our creperie and were dazzled by everything we had on offer.

Kacee and her friends were delighted with all the magical stories, entertainment and gifts to cherish forever. We received a wonderful message after the party from mum, Jocelyn ‘Thank you so much Catherine. Jacee’s party was amazing and absolutely enjoyable. You are an amazing person and I wish you all the best in your near future in every way (family and business). Take care, Jocelyn’

Our room isn’t completely finished but Jocelyn had heard about us and was very keen to hold her party here even though we are not entirely ready- we are so happy that she was so thrilled!

Our party venue will be taking bookings from the new year and we look forward to many more special memories being created.

The post Our very first party in The Enchanted Wood! 13/12/15 appeared first on Fairy and the Frog.

After flying around Sydney and Australia hosting children’s parties for the past 101 years, I have finally found my dream come true…Fairyland has come to life! We have been busily preparing and fitting out the venue in Concord, NSW over the past 8 months! This has been a HUGE task physically, financially and emotionally.

I’m so excited to bring you ‘Finding Fairyland The Party Venue’ with party bookings commencing from January, 2016.

Our brand new kids party venue will be found by entering an old locked secret magic door behind the nostalgic Fairy and the Frog room and stepping into an intimate ‘Enchanted Wood’ which houses a giant Magic Faraway Tree! These parties will be suitable for girls parties aged 3-10 years and for boys parties aged 3-5 years.

The world behind this door will be a place that I hope children will remember forever and be home to many generations of birthdays and other special occasions.

As I said in my original website when I was just an 18 year old fairy all those years ago…..

‘We invite you to close your eyes, make a wish and let us do the rest…’

Catherine aka ‘Fairy Princess Diamond’

29/11/15

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