The Ultimate Birthday Party Dos and Don'ts Every Parent Should Know

Not everyone is going to show up on time. Someone is going to put their finger in the cake and another is going to throw up in the bouncy house. Kids' parties are always perfectly imperfect, so embrace it!

If you're inviting kids to a birthday party that has an admittance fee or requires certain supplies, you're expected to cover those costs. Guests are already laying out money for gifts — don't make your party an inconvenience because of hidden fees.

It's amazing how much kids can eat, especially when you're starting to run low on snacks. And even if it's just a drop-off party, you should always account for parents grabbing a bite as well as a few straggling siblings.

If you're hosting an event that has the potential to get messy, you should always let the other parents know ahead of time. Whether you're using nonwashable art supplies, planning water activities, or including outdoor games that involve mud, nothing will annoy parents more than having an expensive outfit ruined without warning.

Nothing is worse than sending your kid to a party with an inappropriate gift for the birthday boy or girl, who might have it taken away by their parents if it's for a more mature age range. Violent video games are a prime example. Pro tip: if you find yourself wondering whether the other parent would mind, just play it safe and steer clear.

Unless it was explicitly expressed on the invitation, don't just assume you have a couple hours of free babysitting. Don't commit the "drop and go" felony unless you know it's encouraged.

If dropping off your kids is encouraged, don't be late to pick them up. The birthday party hosts will most likely be exhausted from entertaining and could be charged extra for having to wait around for you.

It's just fine to have a smaller celebration, but be conscious while making the guest list. If you're going to invite most of the girls from swimming, this could be a great opportunity to teach your child how to be considerate of another's feelings and include the remaining few girls because it's the right thing to do.

Just as you might show inclusiveness as a host, as a guest, think before you start chatting about the weekend's crammed party lineup at your child's soccer game. Not every family invites every child from the group, and chatting about it will just lead to an awkward (and most likely uncomfortable) moment for both parent and child.

Although this can be a great time to teach children how to graciously receive a present, it's more times than not an uncomfortable situation when the birthday boy or girl gets a toy they (gasp!) already own. Plus, it can be awkward for guests as some children show up without a present because their parents forgot it or couldn't afford one, and some simply can't spend nearly as much as others.

Make sure to find out about everyone's allergies before you start planning the menu. Maybe gluten-free Susie would like to be able to eat at least something during the afternoon, and just because you don't feed Jimmy the peanut butter cookies doesn't mean that it won't be a problem.

Just because one of your children was invited to a party, don't assume it's an open invitation. Most birthday parties charge per head, plus parents budget food, entertainment, and goodie bags by the number of RSVP'd guests. If you have another child, and it's not a drop-off party, try to make other arrangements for them so there isn't an issue.

If the birthday party hostess requests parents to stay, it's for a reason. It's not an open invite for you to have a few cocktails and catch up with your girlfriends. Be attentive and help supervise your kid. You'll be appreciative when they return the favor at your bash.