Plan, prepare. But if you forget something, realize that you are the most important element of the party!  What I’ve learned is that we put too much emphasis on “it” -- whatever it is -- and too little value on “us.”

As Robert the Guitar Guy, I’ve done literally thousands of performances.  In so doing, I’ve learned not to panic when I don’t have something that I think I need for the show.  I’ve even done a show without my guitar!  Imagine Robert the Guitar Guy without his guitar! 

Once my car broke down when I was doing a summer tour. I secured a ride to my next library gig but the tow truck took the car away – with my guitar in it!  There was no time to track down the guitar. I called the library and told them my predicament. Just before I went on, someone handed me a twelve-string which is impossible to play in the finger-picking style I favored then. The kids still really enjoyed the show. It was me, not the guitar! 

Same with your party: If at the last minute you remember that you don’t have the goody bags or the finger food or the piñata, don’t panic. It may be hard to believe but you are the most important element of the party!

Okay, you've decided to schedule a birthday party performer for the little apple of your eye and you're wondering where in the course of a 2 hour party to place him or her.  As a musician who has done over 1000 children's parties, I am often asked this question.   I recommend scheduling the show early because children are less likely to run roughshod through your house if it is clear to them from the beginning what fun is in store.  Also, the performer gets them wide-eyed and fresh.  Anywhere from 20 minutes to a half-hour after the starting time of your party is ideal.  Earlier can be problematic because some children are bound to arrive late.  However, I've done performances after children have been hanging out at a party for four hours and still gotten wonderful results.  (That's my job.)  Also, every rule has an exception: if you are inviting children at noon or 12:30, it's a good idea to feed them first.