Tea at Hogwarts: Throwing a Harry Potter Party

Gryffindor garlands

If you've gone for the colours of Gryffindor, then pick the red and yellow balloons out of the mixed packs and place these round the room. Save the rest for the dreaded party bags.

To make a garland, cut large triangles out of card (old cereal packets are good for this), and paint half in burgundy and half in yellow - the children will love helping with this. When dry, paint or stencil on the letters for 'Happy Birthday' and the child's name on alternate colours, punch a hole at either end of the short, straight side, and thread onto black wool or similar.

If you want to go a step further, cut out some large stars and lightning strikes. Paint them silver and gold and string them down from the main banner.

Party bags

Then start the tidying up. If only you had magical powers…