A SIMPLE PARTY TABLE

It is important to set the table for any party or event with care and thought as to how the meal is going to work. This applies to both children's parties and when entertaining your friends. This post is going to focus on a children's party and give some helpful hints and tips.

TABLE CLOTH

Protecting my dining table from spilled drinks and sticky fingers is important to me. Supermarkets sell linen style table cloths for about £3 each that are wipe clean and often have fun patterns of them. If you are looking for something that will last longer, get the measurements of your table and head to the material section of a department store and they will have lots of PVC tablecloth material that can be cut the length you need. Depending on the size of your table this may cost up to £30 however it lasts for a long time and can be used frequently to allow your children to paint and play with play dough, knowing that your table will not be damaged.

I believe it is important, especially as children reach the age of 4 for them to sit up at a table. Obviously space is limited to 8 or 10 children and if you have more than this at a party then you may have to revert to picnic blankets.  The layout of a table needs to be simple with thought to easy access to all food.

PLATES
Supermarkets are fantastic for Christmas Under Plates - silver / gold / red they are cheap and have lots of uses! As well as a great base upon which to place your white china for dinner parties, at Children's birthday parties, these oversize plates are great for sandwiches, sausage rolls, fruit etc...
I usually place 4 or 5 loaded plates on the table and then a few bowls between them with crisps / fruit etc... I am a great believer in using paper plates for children's parties and keeping the food to finger food removes the need for knives and forks (I can't stand plastic ones!)
Plain white crockery and even paper plates are the most classic and look fantastic with simple accessories such as patterned napkins. Food also looks fabulous on a white plate, clean lines and simplicity.  

NAPKINS
Always provide napkins, finger food means sticky fingers and having a set of wet wipes to hand before little ones trot off to the loo and smear said fingers all over your wallpaper.  Again, Supermarkets sell a fantastic range of party napkins.



ACCESSORIES

I don't think balloons or anything that makes a popping or trumpeting sound is really necessary at a children's party. The noise becomes annoying to the adults and it excites the children so much they are likely to end up falling out with one another. Taking a leaf out of the book of many restaurants I usually place pots of crayons (not felt tip pens) on the table and a few sheets of paper under each child's place setting. I will sometimes make a suggestion as to what they draw but generally leave them to their own devices. This keeps them sitting at the table for longer and invariably they eat more.
If you have invested in a PVC tablecloth and don't have a cream carpet under your dining table (if you do you need to have a serious word with yourself) small pots of play dough are also a great idea for children of all ages. 
As children get older you could suggest they make paper aeroplanes and then after the food they can race them.