Fabulous woman and fellow SE Londoner, Diana Bardega, set up The Mamahood a year ago, with the aim of bringing mamas together in their local neighbourhoods. The Mamahood provides mother’s with a chance to get creative, collaborative and inspired with crafting workshops across the UK. She’s written us this great blog about planning kid’s parties to help take the stress out of those little birthdays.
Urgh. If you are anything like me, when the time comes to organise my children’s birthday parties I feel dread. It can be such an expensive, mass produced, stressful affair. From naff decorations, to expensive entertainers, crap food, to heaps of plastic tat that will only end up in a landfill.
But fear not, there is another way. You see, all around us are some incredible, creative, independent businesses who are there to help when we hit party planning season. And better than that, some of them are run by fellow multi-tasking mothers who understand better than anyone the stress of organising a party.
The Mamahood is all about enabling mothers to connect and support each other. I believe passionately that we should be buying and supporting and working together more because when you become a mother you join a community. Regardless of class, religion, creed, choices and status we all understand the pressures of being a mum. So when you shop, shop independent and where you can, support your fellow mamas. Because we all know how hard it can be to manage the juggle.
Plus I’ve done the hard work for you. Here is a round up of my top 5 mama-run businesses to check out if you are planning a kids party.
Invites
I have always found it tricky to find stylish invites on the high street. If you’re a stationery addict (I am) you will love the gorgeous Marby and Elm. Set up by a very talented mama Eleanor, she designs and letter presses in beautiful neons and brights. They are so beautiful you will almost not want to send them.
And if you’re after something extra special I can’t recommend more highly the wonderful illustrator and mama Lakshmi. She can sketch a gorgeous illustration of your child that you can use for invites and then keep for posterity. Double win.
Tableware
Look no further than The Jelly Rabbit. Run by lovely mama Sarah, she will take all the stress out of party planning for you. She sells gorgeous tableware, decorations, Pass the Parcel kits, balloons, dress up – you name it. I love her party kits. Literally everything you need by theme and all delivered – no stress!
Party Bags
Sick of plastic rubbish that goes straight in the bin? Then definitely check out Cotton Twist, set up by two mamas Anne-Clare and Alexis. They create the most wonderful craft kits that make the perfect take home alternative to a goody bag. Choose from a huge range of themes that suit both boys and girls. And if you need any party extras like themed food boxes then they’ve got you covered there too.
Cake
For ridiculously beautiful cakes look no further than Blossom and Crumb. Run by mega-talented mama Megan, her cakes speak for themselves.
Venue
Obviously this is hugely dependent on where you are based, but if you do find yourself in SE London, I can not recommend more highly The Punk Me Up Ceramics cafe. Run by the loveliest mama Toni – her kids party packages (held in the back of her beautiful shop) are wonderful. From the make your own goody bags, polaroids of the kids with their faces painted, painting your own themed ceramics and the mini milk bottles and bento boxes for the kids, every detail is covered stylishly and with minimum stress for you. A huge thumbs up.
To stay on top of workshop news and exclusive offers to shop at mama-run businesses, follow us over at @the_mamahood. Whether you want to meet other local like minded mothers, or just have some time for yourself and learn a new skill, you can find out what’s going on in your local area by signing up over at The Mamahood.
Planning your kid’s party? Take some of the stress out of it with our party planning Patchworks. Ask your friends and family to fund, make and do to organise a stress-free and fabulous party. They can contribute their time, skill or money to make the party happen. Your best friend can buy the bubbles, your mum can bake the cake and your brother can blow up all the balloons. Simple.
Customise one of our party planning patchworks here or create your own from scratch.