Life as a mother is full of firsts. There’s the first smile of one’s offspring, the first word, the first meal, the first step and many other firsts.
Among these many “firsts” is a baby’s first birthday. A baby’s first birthday, after all, is a major milestone.
It is the time when a baby has completed his or her first year in life — all 12 crucial months of early development.
Indeed, there are more than enough reasons to celebrate.
But parents need not crack their brains or sweat it out to prepare for their child’s first birthday. There are ways to make it easier, depending on parents’ budget and time.
For those who want to leave it to the experts, services of party organizers are available.
One such company is The Party Links (www.thepartylinks.com) that provides all sorts of party services and can even customize a party to suit one’s budget.
Party Links provides party planning like no other. It has a list of packages where one can choose.
Party Links has, for instance, a Party Saver package for 30 kids— the average number of kids in a children’s party for P9,750. This includes an English-speaking character host.
Under this package, the host will do balloon twisting for kids, games for adults and kids, a kiddie magic show and game props and music.
The package also includes 30 pieces of imported balloons with curling ribbons, 30 pieces theme character giveaways or choice of lootbags with goods or mini pails with personalized sticker and goodies.
It will also include eight sets balloon centerpiece and a theme character piñata or candy pull box with goodies.
The package also goes with 30 pieces of theme party hats, 30 pieces of Party Links name tags and “The Party is Here” welcome banner.
For those who want to do the preparations themselves but do not have talents in hosting children’s parties, The Party Links has several party host packages.
A standard party host package will cost P6,000. This package includes hosting services for a duration of 2 to 3 hours, a 10 to 15-minute magic show for kids and hosting of games for kids and adults.
On the other hand, another party host package (Package A) offers party hosting for 2 to 3 hours, games for adults and kids and a magic show with live animals which will run for 40 minutes.
It also comes with a puppet show and the free use of sound system.
The package ranges from 8,000 to 15,000, depending on other add-ons such as a face paint artist, a yoyo master, two jugglers and a bubble show.
The Party Links also offers other services such as photo and video coverage which can range from P8,500 to P20,000.
Other services are also available: game machines, inflatable jumpers, food cards, sounds system and tables and chairs.
Party Links started in 1998 when sisters Ann and Jme Santiago thought of setting-up a neighborhood business.
Party planning topped as their list, owing to their mom’s passion for organizing parties for relatives, inaanaks and friends.
And so, with their savings and some borrowed money, they set-up the Party Links and opened a shop in Project 6, Quezon City.
The company began with kiddie parties, organizing them for mostly friends and neighbors. More blessings came in the second year, this time from referrals of past customers. This included a full coordination of a debut, which started their services for turning ladies-to-be—“princesses” for a night.
In 2003, a move to a more accessible location was inevitable. The Party Links moved to Mindanao Avenue where they are presently located.
Eight years on, the Party Links continues to strive to improve its services.
Though the thought of becoming the biggest party shop in the country with stores nationwide is still far-fetched, their actions and principles are indeed headed towards that direction.
The Party Links may be reached at 9200966 or 8151094.