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