When you say kids’ party, you’d usually expect venues such as soft play areas, arcades, trampolines, and even outdoor public playgrounds and waterparks.
But when you talk about a typical Filipino birthday party, it’s usually 60% food, 20% mingling, and 20% fun, games, and entertainment.
Many times, it’s 90% food and 10% everything else. It’s festive.
It’s a culture thing. We love to celebrate with family and friends over a good feast.
These days, finding a perfect venue for this kind of party at a reasonable price is rare.
Cedie’s First Birthday Celebration
Our criteria for finding a venue is basic. The place must have the following:
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Comfortable seating for adults and children
- Lively party games & activities
- A screen for us to play videos
- Accessible location
- Good food
- Of course, a reasonable price
This time, we wanted the party to be more intimate. We wanted a venue where guests could hear the story we had shared about God’s goodness in Cedie’s life very well.
After looking around hotel banquets, indoor play areas, restaurants, and even public parks, we’ve found the 70-pax seating capacity of Max’s Restaurant in Karama just right for us.
Let me share a few highlights of the pre-, during, and post-party happenings.
Good Program Flow
The restaurant has a pre-planned program. The host started the party by inviting the guests to rise and dance, setting the energy bar high, and then we as a family walked in from the entrance door to the stage.
Cedie got quite overwhelmed with the sudden rise in energy, but it’s just him being a baby. Not too long after, he got settled (somehow).
Here’s the program they prepared (I added, the song number, Kahoot game, and the testimony part):
- Opening prayer
- Welcome remarks
- Games for kids and adults (while dinner is being served)
- Kahoot game (hosted by yours truly)
- Dinner continues
- Song number from Ate Aya
- Another game for adults
- Sharing of our Testimony about Cedie’s life
- Mascot appearance and kids dance number
- Handing loot bags to kids
- Wishes and prayers for the celebrant
- Photos with guests
- Closing
Good Food Service Setup
Here’s the clincher, one of the main reasons why we chose Max’s Restaurant is that they are not a buffet. They serve the food on the table, so the guests don’t have to stand and wait in long lines to get food.
The packages are accurately allotted to the number of guests per table. With that in mind, we created a seating plan to arrange guests who could share the food on a table without animosity.
Also, we’re happy they serve the food while the games are ongoing, so the guests don’t have to have a late dinner.
The food packages are very affordable.
While having dinner, we had an intermission number and another game, and then we shared the testimony about God’s goodness in Cedie’s life.
Lively Host
A lively party host is crucial for maintaining the engagement of the guests. Big thanks to Mike, as his energy and interactive connection with kids and adults ensure a fun-filled atmosphere throughout the night.
Party Decoration
Because we can’t alter the restaurant’s interior that much, allowing us to bring a team for party decoration is a big plus.
We worked with DGSixx Events Management for the decorations. Look how their design has amplified the ambiance—from a typical restaurant into a kids’ party hall.
We were thrilled with the outcome; the design was meticulously planned. They were delightful to work with, especially in accommodating our requests.
In fact, this is the second time we have partnered with them for a party. They also did the decorations for my other son’s birthday party. Just goes to show how much we trust and love their craft and service.
Visit their Facebook page to see more of the services they offer to any kind of party.
Let me know if you’re looking for a venue and a party decoration team. I can share the right contact person at Max’s Restaurant and DGSixx.
Since we live 50 kilometers away, we stayed at the Double Tree Dubai M Square Hotel to make it more convenient for us before, during, and after the party. Didn’t realize there was this cozy hotel in the middle of Bur Dubai.
It’s Not Just Us
We’re blessed that many friends helped us throughout the planning and organizing. On behalf of my wife, thanks to you guys!
- Sonny and Mae for shipping the loot bags to Dubai
- Oliver and Maria for shipping Cedie’s outfits
- Ryan for arranging the collection and delivery of shipments from Manila
- Mervin and Vic’s amazing photography and videography services. Thanks to Micah for the recommendation.
- Mona for the favors about our hotel stay.
- Jovel, Michael, Mike, and Cynthia from Max’s for all the assistance before, during, and after the party.
- Julie of DGSixx for going the extra mile.
The older kids, Aya and Buybuy, are very much involved. They helped me design our Super Mario-inspired shirts using Canva. They watched how they were printed. They also packed the loot bags.
I think they’re the most excited for the bunso’s party.
