Many of us will no doubt be looking forward to a well earned summer holiday. For a lot of us it is the only chance we really get in the year to spend quality time with our families. While some families take their nanny away with them, it is not something that most usually consider.

If the seemingly innocent words 'children's' and 'party' are enough to strike fear into your heart, then you are probably not alone. Parents often worry excessively about hosting children's parties because of the associated stress, expense, tears and tantrums.