Tuesday 31 December 2013

The Last Party of the Year, What a Year it's Been. Goodbye 2013.

I can't wait for the Birthday party today. 

It's the last remaining show in 2013.

It's been a very busy and exciting year that just flew by.

Thanks to everyone who helped me on my road to being Children's Entertainer of the Year 2013. I still don't know how I won as all I do is my own daft magic and silliness, the other guys were much better than me, certainly more experienced. I never thought it would happen, being a successful kids magician, and I am enjoying every second of it.

Bringing Magic to Children and seeing their faces light up (or scrunch up, depending on the trick) is very rewarding and along with the laughter, cannot be beat.

In this job, there are always surprises, I never know who's going to be waiting when I arrive at the party. Or even what kind of place I will be expected to entertain in.

This year I have performed at parties in Church Halls, Living rooms, Gardens, Parks, a Cruise ship, Stately Homes, Nurseries, Community Centres, Pubs, Rugby clubs, Football clubs, Scout Huts, Village Halls, Sports Centres, Leisure Centres, Hospitals, Conference Centres, Farm Houses and a Prison.

There have been different special events and themes, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Boys Birthday Parties, Girls Birthday Parties, 30th, 40th, 50th Birthday Parties, 21st Birthday Parties, Weddings, Christenings, Fancy Dress Parties, Communion Breakfasts, Pre School Anniversary, School Disco's and School Magic Shows.

There have been parties that were well organised and the parents listened to my requests for e successful party and have gone down a storm, being an absolute joy to be part of. And there has been parties, where the organisers have done everything that makes a Children's Entertainers job a living hell. (See my post "What Makes a Great Children's Party and What Should I Avoid?") I would rather not recall those for the sake of my own sanity.

There have been times when I have been very funny, magical and likeable and times when nothing has gone right and I've wondered what the heck I am doing there.

The Positives, Far outweigh the Negatives I can assure you. But it does seem that some people like to do things their own way, even when they have no idea what they are doing. The main reason they should hire a professional entertainer is to get it right, but some folk like to prove themselves wrong, again and again.

So what do you need for a successful Birthday Party that is Stress Free and Wonderful?
And what do you need to make the party a complete stinker?

You may be surprised, but Children's Entertainers the World over know these things and we share ideas and thoughts. Thanks to the internet, we are a very close community. Some of the stories would make your hair curl. But we usually keep those to our private chats!

I will share advice and help with you, so you can make the right choices for your child's party. Whoever you choose to entertain them. Hopefully me, but Children's Entertainers usually work local to home, so this blog is here to help you find the rights person for the job near to you.

Right, I have a party to get to. See you around and Happy New Year!

Chris P Tee

Sunday 29 December 2013

When Children See Me on the Street

When I am out and about, doing a bit of shopping for my family or just wandering the streets, I hear little voices whisper "Look Mummy, it's Chris P Tee"

This gives me a little bit of a Buzz and when I hear it, I usually turn around and wave, or pull a face.

It's great when the Mum or Dad see me and recognise me too and resist the urge to run.

After all, I am reasonably normal. I have to shop too.

Hey, I hope you have had a fantastic Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful New Year.

Stay Chrispy People.

Monday 9 December 2013

Christmas Parties are Keeping me busy

I'm recovering from very busy weekend of Christmas Parties and Birthday Parties.

I thought I had got over the Flu on Thursday.
All the symptoms had gone, but my body was in recovery mode.

By the time I did my 10am-12pm  children's birthday party on Saturday, I was starting to feel really run down.

The next two parties knocked me for six. I got home at 7.30pm feeling like death warmed up. I had my dinner and got into bed.

I slept until 10am Sunday.

Feeling wonderful again, but my voice has decided to play up.

I took it easy with the two parties I had.

The 1-3pm was almost delayed as there was a road accident with fire engines blocking the only road in, so I drove miles around country lanes to go in the back entrance to find I was only 50 yards on the other side of the crash site.

I hope they are ok.

Made it on time and was made to feel very welcome by the landlady who had organised a Christmas party for the local Children. I entertained the kids and their parents until Father Christmas arrived. To see their little faces light up when they knew he was on the way was worth it. Some of them even saw him flying his Sleigh over the Severn Bridge.

Good eyesight kids!

I'm looking forward to all the christmas parties I have. I'm feeling much better now.