6 rules for birthday party etiquette

Having a tough time deciphering between what is socially acceptable and what isn't for your kids when they attend events, such as birthday parties? Find out the 6 basic rules for birthday party etiquette that a child should know before attending any event.

Party etiquette when hosting a birthday

Social events are always difficult for parents that have small kids. It's natural for children to get rowdy, naughty and disrespectful, especially when they're having fun at loud and busy events like birthday parties. But before all that happens, parents have to worry about another thing -- manners! In order to stay on top of things, check out these rules for birthday party etiquette, which will give you a better insight on how you should be training your child to behave at birthday parties. This will help in avoiding any of those embarrassing moments that you may dread encountering in the future.

1. Invite everyone

When your child has chosen to invite the whole class for their party, let them invite everyone. Don't encourage or allow them to choose everyone except for three people just because they aren't close to these individuals. Explain to them how this could hurt other people’s feelings by leaving them out. However, if your child has valid reasons like bullying or extra rude behaviour, you can make an exception. If you want your child to have a small party, let them pick 3-5 of their closest friends only.

2. Say thank you

Tell your child to say thank you for every present that is handed to them. If your child chooses to open gifts during the party, make sure that they say thank you again to the person who had given it -- even if they didn’t like the gift that they received. This could be quite difficult to instill in small children, but with consistency, they should be able to be more tactful about their feelings. You can also encourage your child to make 'thank you' notes after the party if it isn’t too much of a fight between you and your child.

3. Play good host

Encourage your child to talk to the guests and ensure that they are comfortable. While mingling, your child should also make sure that the guests have had enough to eat and drink. You can opt to go with them to ensure that your child stays polite.

4. Bring a gift

It is only proper for your child to bring a gift to someone else’s party. If you can, let your child pick the gift. Make sure the gift is age-appropriate and not too cheap or too expensive. Your child can also choose to make something if they are good friends with the birthday celebrant.

5. RSVP

Teach your child to always confirm if they are going to a party that they are invited to. This way, the parents can have an accurate head count and anticipate your child's arrival. On the day of the event, your child should arrive on time and dress according to the theme of the party and the venue.

6. Good manners

Before going to the party, reiterate to your child the importance of good manners. Aside from proper table manners, they should always be respectful and polite. If the party is at someone’s house, they shouldn't explore rooms and other areas where the party isn’t held.

Here are some guidelines for the etiquette of attending someone's birthday party

As parents, it is our duty to teach our kids to be well-behaved as they don’t know any better. With consistent and constant reminders, they will grow up to be more conscious and well-mannered.

Written by

Karen Mira

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