help with halloween party please

I have been asked for my husband and I to do a halloween party for a local country club. It would be a nice gig. I told her our rates are $100 per hour per worker, so it would be $200/hr. for both of us. The thing is that they are planning on 40 kids. My husband is doing balloons, and I'm face painting. I told her I didn't think I could paint 40 kids in 2 hours, and that I could bring another painter for 1/2 price. (It's my daughter, still in training.) My husband prefers a smaller crowd than 40 to do nicer balloons. He could bring our son for 1/2 price, as well. That would ensure that all the kids got balloons and painted. She wasn't able to give us an actual amount of how many kids are coming. It's a community type of event. She looked over her last couple years records, and said it could be 40. It could more a few less or more. She seemed fine with us bringing the kids, but I just got a voice message that she spoke with the other ladies planning the event. They really just want me and hubby. They don't want to pay more than the $400. However, they are thinking that perhaps he could make some balloons ahead of time, so kids wouldn't have to wait in line so long. They mentioned spiders and bats, and any other halloween-type balloons. He is saying that spiders and bats are more difficult and take a few balloons to make. It will take him a quite a bit of time to make balloons outside of the event and then go to the event for 2 hours to make more balloons. He feels that maybe we should explain that and ask for payment for an extra hour for him. They also said that maybe I could just paint easy designs on the kids like spiders, bats, pumpkins, and fit 40 in 2 hours. I guess I could probably do that. I would have to make a little poster or something with the few easy designs I would be sticking to, but should I tell her that I have never painted that many kids in that amount of time and that they might not all get painted, and then leave the decision up to her?

What do you think?

Does anyone have any other ideas of easy halloween designs for balloons? He is going to do black cats, but he says his spider design takes 6 balloons, and he has never done a bat. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

Remember it's not YOUR problem if everyone gets painted or not if you have explained you can't do that many faces in the amount of time they want to pay for. If they don't want to pay for the extra time, it's their problem.

If he is going to be working, be it at their location or at your house, he nees to be getting paid. It'sort of insulting that they would even suggest him work for them without paying him.

I have definitely done the "simple designs" thing and I don't like doing it. I like being able to paint my best every time, but if they are going to pay you the same for less work, I'd say do it.

I agree with my esteemed colleague.

You tell them how many you can paint per hour. If you want to offer a limited choice of quick design adjust your quote accordingly to account for faster designs. For example, 10-15 full face designs per hour OR 12-20 fast designs per hour. If you can't manage 20 per hour, you can't. They either pay for an additional painter or additional time if they want EVERYONE to be painted, otherwise...

And as to pre-making the balloons.... only if they are paid for! If they want them pre-made why not charge them for them individually? And I say, use Halloween COLOURS and do your usual balloons!

When I am hired for a gig like this where it's alot of people and a set amount of time, I only offer about 10 choices to paint, and I write them on my board instead of showing pictures, that way you don't have that parent coming up complaining that their little Suzys face doesn't look exactly like the picture. I only offer things I can paint very fast, but are still big and colorful, that way I can do 25-30 an hour and they are still better than what most people expect them to be. I tell my customers that I can't paint more than 30 in an hour, and then that's with everything going smoothly. Pretty much every time they say that's fine, and to just paint as many as I can in that time and if not every kid gets a painting it's ok.

I think if the person that hires you understands that you'll do your best, but can't physically paint a kid every minute they'll be fine. And as long as you have your times posted that you will be stopping, then when you have to turn people away it's easier.

As for the balloons I agree with everyone else, you definitely need to be paid for the time. But I'd treat it the same way... give them an average of how many can be made in an hour and explain that maybe not everyone will get one, but you'll do your best. And also say he'll only be offering a certain selection for the kids since some (ie spiders) take longer to make and will slow down the line. They will probably understand and be completely fine with that.

I can paint the 40 in an hour. Offer quick 1 minute designs and tell the organizer that they need to make sure the kids pick their design before they sit in your chair and they keep your line moving.
I would def. do the job. $400 for 2 hours of work is an amazing income for the hosuehold.
I could never pass up money like that.

I just did a party of 40 kids in ONE hour on Sunday.... charged for 2 hours, twisted all the balloons at home in one hour, painted for one hour.

Make a sheet with maybe 9 or 10 designs on it... one or two colours, little things like hearts, stars, butterflies, spiders, snakes, nose & whiskers, pumpkin, etc. Only small designs, only one or two colours, and a poofer of glitter. Everyone gets painted and everyone is happy. 45 balloons took me exactly one hour because I limited it to puppies, swords and flower bracelets. Yes, we all like to do the most super amazing and best designs every time, but if this is what they can afford... I'd rather have every kid get their turn and it be something smaller than to have kids going home crying that they didn't get any face painting or balloon.

another thing you could do is blow the balloons up to where they need to be (sizes for puppies, kitties, flowers,etc... b/c they always go for the regular stuff) so that he doesnt have to take time out to blow 'em up. he should definitly be able to do 40 balloons in 2 hours.

We have been in the same boat before. All these suggestions are really great...the Halloween colored balloons versus making intricate designs. We do not do larger balloon sculptures for line work. It is too much. I think that having some designs pre-made is alright or BluAngl's idea of at least the balloons blown up will help.

I would offer only small designs for that many kids. They are obviously not interested in getting a detailed face. They just want to try to get to every one. Get a poster board and put some things on it that you can do quickly. If you want to you can have a book with sign up information and "give away" a chance to win a premium face paint or a coupon for a discount towards a premium face paint with a cool picture of what you can do given the time. That way you get some client info and feel like people can get a glimpse of your real work. $400 is good so I would work around it. But be firm about when you are leaving. Tell them that is fine to pay for just that time but when the time is up then you will need to leave. If you don't want to stay after,bring an end the line sign and make up a sign stating that children receive one face design and one balloon, that way you don't have kids getting painted twice ...otherwise the line may never end

When I told an event organiser I could do 20 faces and hour at a push she had no reaction. When I pointed out that was 3 mins per face.... there was a reaction. It might help you to tell them how many minuets per face and then they'll understand. Break down the math for them, they're not too bright!!

Yes, either they want everyone painted or they want to pay you what they've budgeted. I also break down what 20 kids an hour means. When the find I can paint a child every 3 minutes, they're impressed.
As far as balloons Keep the designs simple(they're going to pop anyway & I'd rather have a puppy dog pop than an 8 balloon spider). If they want the big spider, you can always make one ahead of time for them to use as decoration, but not for line work. I only do the big complex balloons for PPB events or as the birthday child gift.

I totally agree with psalmbook...simple balloons are better for this. Great idea about the one big balloon for the event itself.

I would NOT pre-inflate balloons, either, unless you're getting paid for that time. Someone on Clown Forum mentioned that they hated "wasting time" inflating balloons - that doesn't make any sense! That's work, too. Balloons don't get inflated, they can't be twisted, right?

My favourite is when the clients tell you what they think is fast - "just a little Dora on her cheek" or "just something easy - like that fairy balloon!" - if they want specialty balloons like spiders and bats, they've got to be willing to pay for the extra time. Their concept of what is simple and what isn't, can be very different from what actually is simple and fast.

(There is a SUPER quick ghost balloon though - does he know it? 1 white 260 and 1 white 5" round.)

Re the one big display balloons: only if they pay for it! IE "We can do a really cool big spider centrepiece display which would normally be $15 if ordered on it's own, but we can do it for an additional $5 because you're booking an event" or something. It does come down to what you feel you want to do, but make sure you're compensated fairly, IMO.

I spoke with my client today. They definitely want the more difficult balloon designs and will pay the $50 extra he asked for to make some at home. They hired him for balloons because he makes such extravagant ones that no one around here makes. So he will make some at home to take with us. I told him the suggestion to make some of his regular designs in halloween colors.

As for face painting, they don't mind the "small" designs, and they also understand that there is a possibility that not everyone will get painted. I believe I can handle 40 in 2 hours if it is like small pumpkins, bats, and spiders, but just because a picture is small doesn't mean it is fast. I will definitely make a list of designs for the kids to choose from.

One of the frustrating things to me is that she really has no idea how many people are coming, and she doesn't seem to realize that I get a lot of teenaged siblings and parents that will inevitably also get in line to be painted. It happens every time, so if 40 kids come, that could mean many more to paint than just the 40 kids. However, she says it could just be 20 kids! How can I possibly plan accurately for the situation when I have no idea how many people are coming! All I can do (and did do) is tell her there is a possibility not everyone will get painted, and she is fine with that as long as everyone gets EITHER painted OR a balloon in the long run.

So, everything is going to work out. I am wondering about getting some stencils. Do any of you ever use stencils for fast face painting? Does it really save a lot of time? Also, I see Silly Farm has a lot of split cakes/rainbow cakes listed with the stencils. Do most of you use rainbow cakes for stencils? What rainbow/split cakes get used the most?

I have to confess that up until now, we haven't done any halloween anything. Our family doesn't celebrate halloween, so we have never done halloween things. Kristal, my husband doesn't know the ghost design you are talking about. Is there a link you can share that would show him a picture of one? Also, do you know a good bat design? He is pretty good at figuring his own designs out, but it's always helpful to have a picture of someone else's designs to just get him started. He always ends up changing things and making his own, but a picture is a good jump start for him.

As for the big display, we hadn't even thought of that, and I didn't get to check my messages this morning before speaking to her. It's probably too late to try adding that in, though it is a great idea for next time. I might offer that to the woman who wants to book us for the 31st.

Thanks for all the help! This forum is great!

My husband usually twists the balloons. If it is a big crowd then as soon as we get there he goes ahead and makes things. He offers the kids things that he has already made or twists, as he keeps on making popular items like swords or whatever...close to the end he will hand out balloons that were already made if he has some left. He just gives them those choices as what they can have.

It is great that they are willing to go ahead and pay for the extra $50. Yay! I use lots of the smaller arty cakes. I do not really use stencils but you could. You can do bugs, lizards, snakes, and pumpkins. I paint a little frog by a black hat. I paint lots of pumpkins and add swirls, spiders, and that kind of thing. I use the bright leaf green arty cake. I use the tutti frutti, the Donna Dewberry colors are great for flowers. I do lots of flowers. And the fire cake is good. All of those come from Silly Farm. But order ASAP spoke with them today and she said they were getting about 150 orders a day and were slammed. It usually takes me two days after they ship it to get to me. But if they are getting so many orders on processing then I am worried about getting my order by next week for a festival. Just thought you might want to know that.

For some reason I can't find the photo of my ghost balloon on my computer (I know I took photos at some point, because I use them!)...anyway, this isn't my photo, nor exactly what I do, but it's close. http://www.jembodyart.co.uk/balloonmodelling.htm

3rd photo down. I don't usually stick mine on a hat, and I give mine hands/do the face in black, but that's the general idea. Very easy and fast, and fits the theme!

I've never made a bat (baseball bat, as a joke?! Haha) but if I come across a pic/figure one out I'll let you know!

Too cute!!! It is like casper!

There is a bat here http://www.balloon-animals.com/instructions/2006/10/two-balloon-bat.html it's not spectacular, but it's something and it's only two balloons.

BTW, you can make anything a ghost if you make it out of clear balloons.... ghost dog, ghost giraffe... etc.

Thank you for the ideas Terina. I definitely will try some arty cakes. I will probably get a few stencils to try but not too many since I don't know how I'll like them.

Thank you for sharing the link for the ghost balloon, Kristal. My husband loves it! Perry, thanks for the link to the bat balloon. He is already working on his own bat design starting with that one.

I remind the client that if you want the kids done, I'll paint them 1st. if there's any time left, then I'll do the adults & teens. I ask the parents to please inform the adults that the painting is for the kids & if there is time I will paint them, but not before.
I'm not hired to argue w/ unruly spoiled adults

Put a sign on your board stating the start and end times for face painting. Also,
30-40 mins before the end count out 10-13 kids (or what ever you can manage in
the time left) and put a high viz vest of the last child which says I'M THE LAST IN THIS QUEUE

Oh yes Gisrus! The end time on the board is a good idea, I've done that once or twice. Chucklor, you can only paint till the gig ends, I'd not sweat it

I just thought I'd update everyone on how things turned out because this ended up being an awesome event for us! The country club called me a few days before the event and said that they had received a lot more responses and were expecting more kids than they had ever had, at least 60, so they needed all of us PLUS the extra made-up balloons to hand out to little ones who couldn't stand in line to wait for their turn. She reiterated to me that this "IS the Binghamton Country Club, afterall, so parents will be expecting our services to be very nice." She wanted the intricate balloons, not just simple, one-balloon animals.

Everything was perfect at the club. The facility was beautiful, everything we needed for set-up was provided. She warned me ahead of time that the children were very "spoiled," so be prepared and "good luck!" Our experience was that these children were the most well-behaved and grateful children we have worked with. They were respectful and just so great. The parents loved us and kept commenting on how this was the best Halloween party the club had ever thrown. We had kids and parents asking us if we would be at the Easter party the club puts on for the kids. We told them to let the club manager know they want us, and they immediately went to the managers to tell them! We got rid of a stack of business cards. It was great!

I have to tell you, I left feeling good and guilty at the same time. Good because we were so appreciated and guilty because it was so much fun that it hardly seemed like work! It didn't feel like we should be getting paid as much as we were--especially because a lot of the designs we painted were so simple. The kids mostly wanted little things, like just plain vampire fangs with a drop of blood, or just a spider on the cheek. It was just too easy! In fact, I TRIED to get kids to get harder things painted on them, and they just kept saying no. With that said, there were so many kids that I would not have been able to do everyone by myself. The manager said she was very pleased with how everything went, and she did not regret hiring all of us. She gave me a huge hug before we left! What a night. :-)

One thing did happen that I wasn't sure how to handle. My husband was inundated with kids. I had a slight lull and noticed a baby, maybe 1 year old, chewing on a balloon. She was popping the balloon cat with her teeth. Her father was holding her in one arm and a drink in the other. I took the balloon, got his attention, and showed him what was happening. He told me to give it back to the baby, that it was all right! He turned his attention back to my husband, and the baby threw the balloon on the floor, at which time I took it and threw it out. The father didn't even notice. I couldn't believe that he was so nonchalant about a total choking hazard like that. I didn't want to be held liable for his baby choking. My husband said he didn't give any balloons to any babies, so it must have been given to her by her parents or someone else at the party. Is there something else I should have done about that? Would we be held liable in a situation like that if the baby choked?

chucklor2 wrote:One thing did happen that I wasn't sure how to handle. My husband was inundated with kids. I had a slight lull and noticed a baby, maybe 1 year old, chewing on a balloon. She was popping the balloon cat with her teeth. Her father was holding her in one arm and a drink in the other. I took the balloon, got his attention, and showed him what was happening. He told me to give it back to the baby, that it was all right! He turned his attention back to my husband, and the baby threw the balloon on the floor, at which time I took it and threw it out. The father didn't even notice. I couldn't believe that he was so nonchalant about a total choking hazard like that. I didn't want to be held liable for his baby choking. My husband said he didn't give any balloons to any babies, so it must have been given to her by her parents or someone else at the party. Is there something else I should have done about that? Would we be held liable in a situation like that if the baby choked?

My husband NEVER hands a balloon to very young children. The balloon is handed to the parent with a word of caution regarding the fact that the balloon could present a choking hazard. If the parent chooses to give the balloon to the child, we do not feel that it is our responsibility. Can someone review their Insurance policy and tell us what the policy says?