It’s spring and it seems that at least half of the people we know are planning their birthdays. This includes a lot of kids which includes a lot of parties. Here are some good ideas if your child has a food allergy and you are planning a party, or even if your friend is planning a party and wants to make it safe for your child.

• Know your allergens, and don’t serve them! Whether it’s hidden in a fun party treat or sneaking in a baked cake, check check check! Ask at the bakery and the market, read your ingredient lists and make sure you aren’t serving anything you shouldn’t be.
• If you know your guests have food allergies, use the same diligence. It seems nowadays people just don’t serve peanut butter or nuts anymore, especially at kids parties. Ice cream is more common, but if you have a friend with a dairy allergy, have an alternate dessert.
• Keep your goodie bags allergy safe. With as big as goodie bags are these days, they are an inevitable part of the party’s end. Instead of including food or candy, include small toys, or better yet, one thing that won’t get tossed into the mess at the floor of the car. Theme it to your party, if you’re having a tennis party, give out a tennis ball or two. If it’s all girls, do a pretty hair bow or inexpensive necklace. With boys you could do a set of Pokemon cards or a baggie of Legos. It’s probably a good ides to skip the candy altogether.
• Know your ingredients so if your guests ask you, you have answers. If your party isn’t over a meal time, you don’t even really need to serve much food. Keep it simple and allergy free.
• On a non-food allergy note, if it is in your house, confine your pets to another room where the party won’t be. Not only is it less stressful for your pets, but it will help avoid any reactions anyone allergic to pets may have.
• Let parents stay if they are wary of leaving their children with allergies, or if you or another adult who will be there are adept at administering medicine, assure them you will watch for and handle any emergency. Make sure if they leave, they leave all medication and emergency contact information.
• Here are a few sites with more party information:
http://www.godairyfree.org/Product-Reviews/Books-and-Cookbooks/The-Gak-s-Snacks-Allergy-Cookbook-Birthday-parties-are-back.html
http://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/allergyfreebirthdaycake.html
http://peanutfree.blogspot.com/2007/10/peanut-free-birthday-party.html

Have fun and celebrate!