Pamper Parties (again, I know).....opinions/idea please?

[NiftyNails]

Ok dokey, all superior knowlege (or experience or ideas!!) Geeks,

I have been asked to do a girls PP, and to be honest I am it!

I have read through your various posts regarding these with interest making notes here there and everywhere, but still have a couple of questions...:green:

I have a friend who does make-up (we went to Beauty Therapy eve classes together) and have asked her if she would be interested in sharing the limelight so to speak. Taking some of the pressure off, Nails and Make-up, what else can a wee girl ask for??? Does this work, has anyone else done this???

We are considering charging £20 per child for both nails and makeup, does that sound expensive? Do you offer a combined discount and split profits 50/50?? (not sure how this would work with outlays)

When you do parties, do you have a time limit or a child/time limit. I was thinking about offering file and polish with a little nail art, stickers etc. Does 15minutes per child sound about right?

Do you take mobile tables with you, as I have never planned on doing mobile work until now, or do you just use what the host has available??(ironing board, table?)

Sorry to ask so many questions, but I have read through so many, and no answers were there.....hopefully you can help?

 

[donna'sdelights]

personally if your only going to give a child 15mins for nails and 15 for makeup £20 sounds steep to me, I advertise mine (on a nail only basis) at from £8 a head maximum 8 children. With flexibility on numbers. the £8 is nail file polish hints and tips and they keep their file for £12 a head they also get a goody kit cuticle oil new file and mini hand lotion includes a business card that has £3 off a full price treatment for their mums, wrapped in pretty cellophane tied with Ribbon )

 

[NiftyNails]

Thankyou very much for your reply.

I'm just bouncing ideas.....tbh I have no idea how long each child will take as I have never done a PP before so Im certainly not fixed at 15mins. :green:

How long do you normally spend on each child???
x

 

[moosey]

ye i agree £20 is a bit much .... i do make up nail parties etc at my last one i did cleanse, tone and moisturise on the birthday girl and the othes watched and did it obn there friends it was really good fun and theyasked lots of questions so i knew they were also learing, then i did basic make up , no foundation as they were all 12 and also time consuming and then a mix of french polish and polish/ art. If there are a lot i charge by the hour and if there are a few say 4 or 5 i charge £10 per child for what i just described. per hour is £55. hths x

 

[donna'sdelights]

like you say you cant fix a time really just approx. but I figure parties are usually 2hrs 2.5 max so i say a max of 8 children then it gives me a min of 15mins with each )

 

[NiftyNails]

Ok, still thinking in text.....

What if we charged £100 for the two of us for two hours, does that sound more reasonable????
(Gawd, Im thinking im sounding greedy, but I just want a fair price for the job requested) Not sure how my potential Business Partner would feel about it, but again, ideas ideas.
Giving the host a party bag, and her guests at a further cost??

 

[Seraphine]

Hi Angie

To be honest, I don't think the mothers (usually the party planners) would pay £100.

I've done a few of these parties. Usually for the 7-8 year old crowd, but I did one for a batch of 14 year olds on the weekend and it was an eye opener! 8 year olds tend to be very indecisive, get their nails done, then run away (and usually need a touch up as they ALWAYS seem to wreck at least one nail!)

The 14 year olds sat at my table for almost 3 HOURS until every last one of them was done. They asked all sorts of questions and wanted all of the bells and whistles I could throw at them! They were a lot of fun, and although I ended up staying longer to get them all done (the things they were asking for were more complicated than my usual party work), but the mom paid extra and was thrilled with the results.

I charge £40 for a party for 6-8 kids. This is based on a £20 per hour fee. I probably could charge a bit more, but I provide all my supplies and nail art, wear my uniform, and set up my mobile table just as I would with an adult customer. The girls LOVE this. For the younger girls, I hold a colouring contest (with pencil crayons and glitter pens) on these "hand" pictures - the one who draws the most spectacular nails wins a prize (which I provide). The birthday girl also gets a small prize as well.

With the older girls, I just give a gift voucher** for an express manicure to the birthday girl - the others don't seem to mind not having a prize if it means they get their nails exactly as they wanted them that day. I did french polishes, zebra stripes, leopard prints, black and pinks, purple and silver stripes... you name it!

But don't overprice yourselves - the moms won't pay it!

Let us know what you decide on!!

Best wishes
Dawn



** I don't find a voucher to be excessive as so many people never claim their vouchers... it always seems to work out! The ones that use them are almost always repeat customers, and the ones that loose it somewhere in a pile of post aren't the ones I worry about

 

[donna'sdelights]

If it was just one of you i would say £100 was steep but if there is two of you it's not to bad, I think you should actually offer different packages. As Seraphine says most mums would question paying such a price but if you did a sheet stating whats included, and did a price for just you on your own they could see what the extra was getting them. Thinking about it though I charge £8 -12 a head 8 kids and this is a max of £96, so it also to do with the way you market it, £8-12 a head doesnt sound as steep as throwing out £100 figure so may be you should think per head than hour if you want a higher price. You might only get 4 kids if it do it this way but you'd still get max £48 and the time well about an hour so you would still cover your time?? I think the colouring idea is fab might have to borrow that one too if you dont mind Seraphine?? )

 

[Cloud Nine-Emzy]

Hello,
I started off just offering pamper parties and now I offer 10 different parties from the 'little princess party' to 'high school musical party'!

I have divided my parties to suit the different age groups. My two main parties are little princess/little diva pamper party (ages 5-9yrs) and young ladies beauty party (ages 10-16yrs).

Ages 5-9yrs have a little princess/little diva party and I charge £75 for a maximum of 10 children. This means that if there is 10 children, they will be £7.50 each but it also gives parents the option to have less children than that so that attension can be directed at fewer children if prefered. When I charged per child I found that the mum would book 10 girls and when I turned up to do the party, 3 of them would be poorly. This caused an awkward situation when it came to how much to charge. Having a set price stops this from happening with a max amount of children but not a minimum. This party is 1 1/2 yrs long because I have found that younger girls don't have as much of an attension span and only literally want there make-up done and there nails painted. I fill in the rest of the time with a few party games or girly crafts.

Ages 10-16yrs I do a young ladies beauty party. This party is 2 hours long and is £90 for a max of 10 children. The party girl chooses 2 of: manicure, pedicure, make-up and manicure and gets 1 hr of each. eg. if she chose make-up and manicure, it would be a 'Make-up and 'Manicure' pamper party. The 1st hour I would do make-up and the 2nd hour would be manicure getting them to do some of the bits on each other. I do the main bits like the make-up and the nail painting. Things like hand&arm massage and facial masks they actually love doing on each other plus it creates lots of fun and laughter!!!

I go to the childs house to do my parties and take an assistant with me as it is extremely difficult to manage a party on your own especially with lots of girls. I have been told my lots of mums that my parties are far too cheap so I am increasing the price soon. If you look around on the internet, you will see people pay anywhere up to £200 for a pamper party!!!!

I hope this has helped you! Emma

 

[donna'sdelights]

Hello,

Ages 5-9yrs have a little princess/little diva party and I charge £75 for a maximum of 10 children. This means that if there is 10 children, they will be £7.50 each but it also gives parents the option to have less children than that so that attension can be directed at fewer children if prefered. When I charged per child I found that the mum would book 10 girls and when I turned up to do the party, 3 of them would be poorly. This caused an awkward situation when it came to how much to charge. Having a set price stops this from happening with a max amount of children but not a minimum. This party is 1 1/2 yrs long because I have found that younger girls don't have as much of an attension span and only literally want there make-up done and there nails painted. I fill in the rest of the time with a few party games or girly crafts.

I get what you mean by that, I think it can depend on the area you live in to... I find it better in my area to market it per child, i then take 50% none refundable deposit and then the 50% is paid on the day.

 

[number1kitty]

In all fairness and having 3 kids £100 or two therapists and 8 + kids isnt dear at all.

I spend clost to £200-£250 per child per party.

hth

kate x

 

[NiftyNails]

Thankyou everyone for your input, certainly give food for thought. :green:

I know in my area, (when I did dog grooming) you get away with charging a little more.

Time will tell. I have left a message with the mum asking her what she is looking for and what ideas she has in mind and to give me a call so we can discuss, fingers crossed.

x

 

[shaz76]

Hi all, I'm asking for some advice here regards to Princess Pamper Parties. Having hosted two I'm not having a great experience!:irked:

The first party the birthday girl who was five cried when she did not win the games, I only provide two as I am on my own. I felt guilty and gave her a prize anyway. Should I let the birthday girl win all the time or be fair? bearing in mind all the parents of her friends were present. I have heard different views on this.

My second party I hosted tonight did not go as planned either, two girls were tomboys & the thought of them wearing fancydress outfits and wearing pink makeup disgusted them! I provide a princess dress, tiaras, tou tous & wands for each party. All the girls keep the wands, The birthday girls wand is handmade the rest are mini plastic ones. One kept on repeating " I hate pink" even though she knew it was a "Princess Pamper Party". Each party consist of the above mentiones also, personalised invites, partybags, two prizes for games, makeover & nail paint with art/gems. This package is £8 per head. The second package consist of all above & desired hair style. This is done within two hours.

The mother of the eight year old tonight paid a deposit of £20 on time of booking & said eight were going to be present, she opted for the £8 per head. Only 6 turned up! I excepted a cheque for £28 for three hours work as some of the gems kept falling OFF!!:cry:. I got the impression she was not too pleased with the outcome as she expected me to do EVERYTHING!

Also because of the price per head the partybags are kept quite simple to the childrens dismay! Am I being sensitive here or do the children expect alot??

I would greatly appreciate honest & constructive feedback as I have a further 4 parties booked & I'm hoping they will turn out to be alot better!

Regards

Sharon.

 

[Esmeralda]

Wow, some great ideas on here! I am copying this thread, as I love working with children and would love to offer some party packages. I have never heard of anyone doing anything like this here, so I might start a new trend.

 

[donna'sdelights]

oh Sharon Bless you hun, dont get to down about it.

If the mother new her girl was a bit of a tomboy and didnt like pink she is at fault for choosing the wrong party for her little "princess", I think what you are offering is fine I think you need to make it very clear to the parent what you do and dont provide, plenty of kids entertainers dont provide gift bags so you are provide that extra let the parent know whats in it and say they are welcome to add what they want to them.

Kids do expect alot from their party bags and i see it as our (parents) own fault for the one up man ship of parties. I would have a present for the bday girl rather than include her in the party bags and this be a special prize just for her, but tha games should be played fair and square. kids have to learn after all. I do remember when i was 7 losing a game of dead lions at my bday party and i balled on the stairs for most of the party but I got lots of pressies so had nothing to complain about really .

Sounds like you are doing everything right hun just make the parents aware of exactlly what is included and what isnt and they should have no reason to complain and remember girls will be girls and sometimes that means being rat bags

keep smiling x

 

[Annebet]

I did a party for 30 12 yr olds, some where younger about 7 the young ones do not sit still for a minute come back every two mins because a gem as come off of they caught their nail varnish they completely emptied my bag of varnish and gems ect all over the floor. It was the worst 4 hours of my life lol It was nice to get home after that one lol.

 

[te1fer]

Hi all, I'm asking for some advice here regards to Princess Pamper Parties. Having hosted two I'm not having a great experience!:irked:

The first party the birthday girl who was five cried when she did not win the games, I only provide two as I am on my own. I felt guilty and gave her a prize anyway. Should I let the birthday girl win all the time or be fair? bearing in mind all the parents of her friends were present. I have heard different views on this.

My second party I hosted tonight did not go as planned either, two girls were tomboys & the thought of them wearing fancydress outfits and wearing pink makeup disgusted them! I provide a princess dress, tiaras, tou tous & wands for each party. All the girls keep the wands, The birthday girls wand is handmade the rest are mini plastic ones. One kept on repeating " I hate pink" even though she knew it was a "Princess Pamper Party". Each party consist of the above mentiones also, personalised invites, partybags, two prizes for games, makeover & nail paint with art/gems. This package is £8 per head. The second package consist of all above & desired hair style. This is done within two hours.

The mother of the eight year old tonight paid a deposit of £20 on time of booking & said eight were going to be present, she opted for the £8 per head. Only 6 turned up! I excepted a cheque for £28 for three hours work as some of the gems kept falling OFF!!:cry:. I got the impression she was not too pleased with the outcome as she expected me to do EVERYTHING!

Also because of the price per head the partybags are kept quite simple to the childrens dismay! Am I being sensitive here or do the children expect alot??

I would greatly appreciate honest & constructive feedback as I have a further 4 parties booked & I'm hoping they will turn out to be alot better!

Regards

Sharon.

Are Sharon dont get yourself stressed

My 7 year old niece is a right tom boy and i designed my packages based on having tom boys there and decieded to go for a choice of facepaint/make-up
glitter spray in hair or wash out hair colour there are plenty of colours to choose from
temp tattoos these go down very well
and spray of perfume
none of these take a long time a tattoo takes a few minutes
spay of perfume and glitter or hair colour again minutes
Hope this helps
Sam xx

 

[suzev]

I do mine with a file and polish, with some nail art on 1 finger (or stickers) if you have a tom boy why not offer them some black nail varnish and finish it with a holographic top coat? Looks fab and not too girly.They also get a glitter tattoo which go down a treat, (again for tomboys choose something with flames, dragons or skulls in it, I had a mum tearing her hair out the other week cos her daughter was adamant she wanted a pirates skull tattoo instead of a butterfly !lol:lol a spritz of glitter hair and body spray and a touch of lip gloss. 15 mins per child and all seemed happy.Dont forget to put your cards in the party bag. Above all dont get stressed about it. hth

 

[shaz76]

Hello Donna

Thanks for your response I really appreciate it!! I am hoping I do everything above board but I am thinking of scrapping the partybags! I am not having much luck recently as I have changed my policy to asking for the full payment 7 days prior to the party. If you ask for payment on the day and a few don't turn up then that isn't the therapist fault is it!

Anyway, in doing so I contacted a parent who lives 25miles from me and she wanted me to do the party. I explained I will only drive all that way if there was a min of 10 children. I have an assistant coming with me and I have also got to take into consideration the time/petrol, partybags ( decent ones)!!! personalised invites and wages. Now if I drive all the way up there and only 6 turn up then I am losing money. I have explained to everyone that I have just started hosting these parties and I work on trial and error. She went beserk when I asked for payment upfront. I was honest with her and explained why I have done it. Anyway after I told her to calm down. After a while she text me asking me to still host the party even though she became very abusive on the phone!! I am tolerant to things but I am hoping I have a better experience as I think it is a wonderful idea!!

Shaz xx

 

[shaz76]

Thankyou to all who have responded to my letter.....Or essay should I say!! Your hints and tips have helped me a great deal xxxxxx