Ten reasons to host a birthday party

1. Leftover cake.

2. Getting the countertops cleared off for the first time since your last party.

3. A perfectly valid excuse to drink champagne in the middle of the afternoon.

4. Enabling the two-year-old to acquire a new baby without actually having to buy her one.

5. There's no point hoovering beforehand, and afterwards you can really see the crumbs so you're more motivated to do it.

6. Paintings are now on the wall instead of on the floor leaning against the wall.

7. Moving all cardboard boxes out of the main part of the house. Even the Very Important Cardboard that had been made into wings. If he doesn't miss it before Tuesday, it's recycling.

8. You hardly ever look in the basement anyway.

9. How good the cup of tea tastes when everyone's gone home and you're basking in the glow of a party well thrown.

10. Leftover cake. For breakfast.