Birthday Hints

Party Hints

Click here to print out inserts for your birthday party invitations from Arla.

Want to have a successful birthday party?
These guidelines will help. Please take time to read through them. Also, click here for birthday party ideas.

Is there ever a time when a clown is NOT appropriate?

If the child is turning 2 years old, please DON'T waste your money on a clown.
There are a lot of clowns out there who will take your money and run. The truth is, most children from the ages of 18 months to three years are deathly afraid of a clown (or any other costumed character for that matter). With a clown present at this age, the room will be full of cries rather than laughter. Instead, invite a few friends over, put some toys in a room and let them play for an hour or so. Make sure to have a birthday cake and take lots of pictures of the children playing. Everyone will be much happier this way.
KEEP MY NUMBER AND CALL ME NEXT YEAR. <smile>

Use the following list of questions & answers to have a great party:

Use the KISS method...Keep It Simple, Silly...and in this order

Clown

Cake

Presents

An ideal number of children for a party with a clown is 10-15. Older children may have a
few more, younger children may have a few less. This may also depend on where your
party is located.

	Book your clown as early as possible. (Go-Go books as much as 6 months in advance, but if there are time slots as little as the next day.)
	Try to keep the noise in the room to a minimum. A room full of adults talking makes it difficult for the children to hear the magic show. (Adults will like Go-Go's magic show, too!)
	Consider having an 11 AM party. You have the entertainer, do cake and ice cream, open presents, and you are done for the day. The children are much more refreshed at 11:00 AM rather than in the afternoon, too. Also, in the summertime, it's much cooler than at 1:00-2:00 PM.

Avoid surprises at your party.
When calling for a clown, ensure you get the most professional person available to make your party a success.

Ask the following questions:

	Do you have professional clown shoes?
	Do you wear a one piece outfit? (Most professional clowns will wear OTHER than a one piece outfit that can be made from a Simplicity pattern.)
	Do you wear a sponge nose, paint it on, or a professional clown nose? (If they say a sponge nose, better to look on...they probably aren't a professional clown.)
	Where do you put your makeup on? (Most professional clowns put their makeup on in their homes, NOT in the car or in your home.)
	How long have you been clowning? (You may find lesser expensive clowns with less experience, but if they run into problems, as many clowns will, the more experienced person will make your party a success instead of a near failure.)
	How long is your entire show?
	How much do you charge? Is there a charge for more than "x" amount of children?
	What do you do during the time you will be at my party?
	Is there a deposit? When is payment expected?
	What is the reschedule/cancellation policy? (PLEASE don't intentionally reschedule or cancel a party. We clowns do this to make a living, just like you do. When you cancel, normally we have turned down other people who would have liked to have had that same time slot and it is VERY difficult to book someone else at the last minute to fill it.)
	Do you carry insurance?

How do I get people here on time?

	Write on your invitations that "Go-Go the Clown will be here at "X" time". People in this area tend to be fashionably late and if they know a clown will be there, they tend to be on time because they don't want to miss part of the show. See my shows page for a printable insert for your invitations....this will hopefully enable your guests to be on time.
	Invite the guests 15 minutes to 1/2 hour early if I'm doing balloons and magic. Invite them at the same time I'm supposed to be there if I'm doing face painting. (That way I can paint them as they arrive and they are not just standing around waiting in line to be painted.)

Should I do something while Go-Go is doing face painting?

Many parents find that doing an activity such as pin the nose on the clown (not me,
of course) or decorating white lunch bags as their goody bags (with stickers, markers, and possibly glitter) is a wonderful activity during the face painting. That way you can fill the bags while I'm doing the magic show.

Goodie bags are somewhat expected nowadays, but don't go overboard. You don't
have to spend a fortune on them. After all, the emphasis for the party should be on your
child, not the others. Party stores, K-Mart, WalMart, dollar stores and other kinds of stores
offer party favors like stickers, rings, pads of paper, pencils and other small items that can
be added.

How should I pay an entertainer?

Payment is preferred as I arrive. That way you can tend to birthday cake, presents, etc.
after I leave, but you can pay at the end of the show if you so choose. Please have the money
ready, as I usually have other parties to attend and do not have extra time to wait for you to make out the check.

Make checks for Go-Go's performance payable to: "Arla Albers"

Tips are always appreciated, but not expected. If Go-Go, or any other entertainer
for that matter, does an exceptional job, it's perfectly acceptable to tip her.

Anything else that should be considered to have a successful party?

Weekends are the busiest time for birthday parties. For this reason we suggest you
book a clown at least a month in advance. Go-Go has been known to book parties as much
as 6 months in advance. Also, once you book your time, it is reserved for you. Go-Go turns
down other bookings during that time (normally 4-20 per week), so please do not cancel.
See Go-Go's Cancellation policy below. You might also consider a weekday party after school.

It's a good idea to have the cake and ice cream after Go-Go's performance. That way
the children won't be on a sugar high for the entire party. It will be easier on both of us.

Presents should be the last thing on your agenda for the party. That way the birthday
child can play with them immediately after opening instead of waiting for the party to finish.

Pass around a disposable camera to the adults and let others take pictures for you.
Candid shots are usually the best.

If your party is outside, consider having the magic show in the shade.
This makes everyone more comfortable.

If you are having a pool party, ask Go-Go for temporary tattoos.
They are available for an additional $5, but stay on well in the pool.

Let the kids have a good time. Being quiet is not what they do best.

Ask about extras. Go-Go offers jewels for face painting at an extra $10, but wow are
they worth it!

Set the room temperature cooler than usual. A room full of children will make the room warmer and can make some children sleepy and cranky.

Please, oh please, turn off the TV and music during the show. It makes it very difficult for the children to hear the show and understand what's going on. If you have adults talking, please arrange for them to talk in another room.

Pre-light the birthday candles, then blow them out right away. It makes it much easier to light them when it comes time for lighting for the child to blow them out.

Put some balloons on the mailbox so your guests can know exactly where the party is located.

Allow an hour before the party for you and your family to "rest" so you can enjoy the party without being harried or hurried before guests arrive.

Go-Go's Cancellation Policy*

In the event the customer cancels their contract (verbal or written):
     -within 21 days of the event, the deposit will be forfeited.
     -within 14 days of the event, ½ the total fee will be due to Arla Albers.
     -within 7 days of the event the total fee will be due to Arla Albers

*A confirmation letter or written contract will usually be sent to all customers,
unless it is a last minute party.

Want to have a successful birthday party? These guidelines will help. Please take time to read through them. Also, click here for birthday party ideas.