Most people at some point in their lives throw some sort of party. It was easier when you were younger; your parents went out of town, you’d invite a bunch of friends over, everyone would bring their own drinks. Boom, it’s a party. If you had really nice friends throwing the party, maybe they would supply chips. If not, you’d send out for pizza.
Being a responsible adult makes things a little more complicated when it comes to throwing a party. Now, there is a right and a wrong way of doing things and the level of expectations of your party guests goes up. But, this is not a problem because you can find out all there is to know about throwing a party right here.
The first thing you need to do is to decide what kind of party you are throwing. Is it a holiday party, a graduation party, a birthday party, etc. Is it going to be a surprise party? These are fairly obvious questions and ones you most likely have already decided. A couple more obvious questions are; what is the main age group of the guests that will be attending the party and how many people are you planning to invite. This will determine a great deal of the decisions you need to make for the party.
In determining the age group of the guests will help you decide if you need activities to keep your quests busy. For instance, if you are planning to invite a lot of kids, it is a good idea to supply something that they can do or play with. Determining how many guests you are planning on inviting helps you to determine how many party supplies you will need to supply. What is your budget for the party?
It is fairly obvious that the way to invite people to your party is through invitations. There are several different kinds of invitations. There are cards that you can mail or hand out to predetermined guests. There is also word of mouth. Spread the news about the party you are planning by simply telling those who are invited. You can also email your guests or send out an online invitation. The online invitations are growing in popularity. It is a website call evite. You simply sign up for a free account and you can design and send an invitation to the list of people’s email addresses that you provide. The thing that is so great about this site is that it will keep track of how many people have RSVP’d and who is coming, the amount of people who are coming, who has viewed the invitation but not RSVP’d yet, and who is not coming. Guests can also write a little message when they RSVP.
Where is your party going to be held is another important decision? Is it going to be outside? If so, is there adequate shade for hot days or shelter for bad weather? Is this party going to be thrown at your house or at a venue that you will rent? How much room are you going to need for those that are planning to attend? The plus about having the party at a venue is that you can cut out the cleaning and setting up for the party. When a party is thrown at home, a lot of time and effort will go into preparing your home for the party, serving food and running around while the party is underway. Don’t forget cleaning up after the party is over. While a venue is more expensive, it cuts out a lot of responsibility for the host and allows them to enjoy themselves more.
Figuring out how much food you are going to need is probably the most difficult thing about throwing a party. What kind of food are you going to serve, is this going to be a buffet or a sit down dinner, are you going to make everything yourself or have it catered. These are all important questions. Offering food is a party must! People expect to go to a party to eat. It is the first question other people ask about the party; ‘How was the party? How was the food?’ It is the thing that will determine most of your budget and should have the most thought put into it.
There is so much that goes into a party we have just touched on a few of the basics. There is a lot more to learn to learn before you can call yourself an expert but, with the information above, you can definitely get the ball rolling.
Saturday 27 February 2010
Planning a Graduation Party
Maybe they are growing into a big kid and just graduated from pre-school. Maybe they have said their last goodbyes to getting an hour of recess everyday and are graduating from elementary school. Maybe they are leavening the funny hair and awkward stages and graduating high school. Or maybe they are starting their life in the world and graduating from collage. Whatever stage of life they are in, they deserve to have a graduation party to celebrate their many hours of commitment and hard work.
Graduation party planning is typically not any different then regular party planning. In deciding to throw a graduation party, you do have to put a lot of thought into the guest list. When the child is younger it is easier to figure out who to invite. As the child gets older, this part can get kind of tricky. Have the person you are throwing the party for involved in this aspect. Although, if you are planning to have a surprise graduation party figuring out the guest list can get all the more complicated. You are going to need a few people to help you with the guest list. The last thing that you would want to do is leave out someone. Maybe you are part of their family. So you might need to recruit a friend from school to give you the names of the guests that your guest of honor will appreciate having at their party. Plus, the opposite it true; a school friend would be able to let you know who to avoid inviting. Maybe the person you are throwing the party for is married. In that case you may also need someone that is in the guest of honor’s spouse’s family. The guest of honor might be involved in clubs or very close with the neighbors in which case you would need to investigate these areas also. Once you finally have the guest list finalized, you can finally send out the invitations. The thing that should be most prominent about the invitation is the fact that it is a surprise graduation party. The number one way that a surprise party gets ruined is that someone will slip and give the guest of honor a clue that there is something going on.
Choosing decorations for any type of graduation party is only hard because they have so many to choose from. These days they make so many different kinds of party supplies you will have an easy time finding ones specifically for graduation. You can also decorate using the colors of the school that the person is graduating from. Make sure that you include the year in the decorations. Look into getting a cake that is in the shape of the graduating year. For a more unique approach, choose an interesting theme rather then just graduation. Throw your grad a luau, a masquerade ball, or even a flash back party. Why not celebrate the years of hard work by flashing back into a specific year?
Your grad needs to let loose. No more teachers, no more books, no more tests. Allow them to leave that pressure behind and start a new faze of their life with a party that will give them the time of their lives.
Graduation party planning is typically not any different then regular party planning. In deciding to throw a graduation party, you do have to put a lot of thought into the guest list. When the child is younger it is easier to figure out who to invite. As the child gets older, this part can get kind of tricky. Have the person you are throwing the party for involved in this aspect. Although, if you are planning to have a surprise graduation party figuring out the guest list can get all the more complicated. You are going to need a few people to help you with the guest list. The last thing that you would want to do is leave out someone. Maybe you are part of their family. So you might need to recruit a friend from school to give you the names of the guests that your guest of honor will appreciate having at their party. Plus, the opposite it true; a school friend would be able to let you know who to avoid inviting. Maybe the person you are throwing the party for is married. In that case you may also need someone that is in the guest of honor’s spouse’s family. The guest of honor might be involved in clubs or very close with the neighbors in which case you would need to investigate these areas also. Once you finally have the guest list finalized, you can finally send out the invitations. The thing that should be most prominent about the invitation is the fact that it is a surprise graduation party. The number one way that a surprise party gets ruined is that someone will slip and give the guest of honor a clue that there is something going on.
Choosing decorations for any type of graduation party is only hard because they have so many to choose from. These days they make so many different kinds of party supplies you will have an easy time finding ones specifically for graduation. You can also decorate using the colors of the school that the person is graduating from. Make sure that you include the year in the decorations. Look into getting a cake that is in the shape of the graduating year. For a more unique approach, choose an interesting theme rather then just graduation. Throw your grad a luau, a masquerade ball, or even a flash back party. Why not celebrate the years of hard work by flashing back into a specific year?
Your grad needs to let loose. No more teachers, no more books, no more tests. Allow them to leave that pressure behind and start a new faze of their life with a party that will give them the time of their lives.
Party Planning Checklist
Planning a party involves a lot of work and effort on the part of the host. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to write out a checklist of all the things that need to be accomplished and when you need to do them.
First things at the top of your checklist should be to create a budget for your party. By creating a budget first you can figure out how many people you can invite which leads into the next section of your checklist. The next set of things on your checklist will be in reference to the guests. Some things on your checklist should include making a list of people to invite, buying invitations, writing out invitations and sending out invitations. Give yourself a date of when to send the invitations out by. You should send out your invitations a minimum of three weeks before the date of the party. Guests should then be given two weeks to RSVP if they will be attending or not. You can create a second checklist with a list of the people you invited in order to keep track who will be attending.
Next on your checklist should be in reference to the place where the party is to be held. If you are not sure where your party is going to be held and if you have it in your budget to hire an outside vender, you will need to do a little research. Place on your checklist calling venders to get price quotes. You will need to figure out if they will supply the food and how much it will all cost. You can then determine if you would like to have the party at your home and hire a caterer. You will need to place on your checklist, get quotes from caterers. Or you might want to make all the food yourself in which case you will need to place on your checklist to investigate how much supplies and food will cost you. Once this is determined, you will need to add a place on the checklist to book the vender or caterer and further down the list place a checklist that will remind you to confirm with them closer to the party date.
Other things on your checklist may include buying party supplies like plates, napkins, utensils, cups, drinks and food. You also will have to determine if you are going to grant your guests with party favors when the night is through in which case you will need to add researching, buying and preparing the favors to your checklist. You may have to also add researching and hiring rentals like tables, chairs or a tent if it is so required to your checklist.
The exact things that are on your checklist are greatly varied from party host to party host. But it is clear that creating a party planning checklist is a wonderful way to stay organized, get everything done in the proper amount of time and the ability to give the best party you can.
First things at the top of your checklist should be to create a budget for your party. By creating a budget first you can figure out how many people you can invite which leads into the next section of your checklist. The next set of things on your checklist will be in reference to the guests. Some things on your checklist should include making a list of people to invite, buying invitations, writing out invitations and sending out invitations. Give yourself a date of when to send the invitations out by. You should send out your invitations a minimum of three weeks before the date of the party. Guests should then be given two weeks to RSVP if they will be attending or not. You can create a second checklist with a list of the people you invited in order to keep track who will be attending.
Next on your checklist should be in reference to the place where the party is to be held. If you are not sure where your party is going to be held and if you have it in your budget to hire an outside vender, you will need to do a little research. Place on your checklist calling venders to get price quotes. You will need to figure out if they will supply the food and how much it will all cost. You can then determine if you would like to have the party at your home and hire a caterer. You will need to place on your checklist, get quotes from caterers. Or you might want to make all the food yourself in which case you will need to place on your checklist to investigate how much supplies and food will cost you. Once this is determined, you will need to add a place on the checklist to book the vender or caterer and further down the list place a checklist that will remind you to confirm with them closer to the party date.
Other things on your checklist may include buying party supplies like plates, napkins, utensils, cups, drinks and food. You also will have to determine if you are going to grant your guests with party favors when the night is through in which case you will need to add researching, buying and preparing the favors to your checklist. You may have to also add researching and hiring rentals like tables, chairs or a tent if it is so required to your checklist.
The exact things that are on your checklist are greatly varied from party host to party host. But it is clear that creating a party planning checklist is a wonderful way to stay organized, get everything done in the proper amount of time and the ability to give the best party you can.
Holiday Party Planning
Holiday parties are a great time to get together with family and friends and appreciate the people you have in your life. But, it takes a lot of preparation so it is a must to be prepared with your holiday party planning.
There are a lot of major holidays that are great for having large get togethers. With the different holidays come different types of parties that you may throw for it. For instance, Fourth of July parties are typically barbeques and pool parties. Thanksgiving parties are dinner parties while Christmas parties can be cocktail parties. Holiday party planning is not much different then planning other types of parties. You still have to consider your guest list. You’ll have to make sure you have enough food for the number of people attending. You’ll have to consider a venue, renting tables or chairs and buying party supplies. The big difference is that the holidays themselves also require a lot of preparation. If you are planning to have a Christmas party, you somehow have to incorporate gift shopping, holiday decorating and all of the other Christmas preparations to top of your holiday party planning. You may need a little help. You can ask someone to plan the party with you or you can hire a party planner.
Choosing the theme is already done for you when you are throwing a holiday party so the way to make it different is to incorporate fun and unique activities to do or through your party presentation. Research and put the time and money into the little things that will make your party unique. Consider doing a fabulous invitation. Rather then sending the plain old invitation that everyone sends, change it up. Maybe send your quests their party favors in advance for a Christmas or Chanukah party. Buy a small gift for each guest, send it to their homes as a wrapped present and include the party invitation as the gift tag. For a thanksgiving party, you might consider writing out your invitation in an ink pen in a dialogue that the pilgrims might use then age the paper by heating it slightly in the oven. You can send the invitation rolled up and tied with a string. There are so many things you can do it only takes a little imagination. Holidays are great because they allow the fools in you to come out. So don’t be shy about stretching your imagination and making the silly or impossible, possible.
Above all, when people attend a holiday party they are looking to have a good time. They look forward to these excuses during the year to forget about the pressures of life and let loose. It is up to the host or hostess of the party to supply that for their party guests. The goal is to have your guests leave and talk amongst themselves about the wonderful time they had. As each year goes by, it’s hard for people to remember every holiday. But, by giving a great holiday party, you give your guests a way to treasure that year and say, “that was the holiday that we went to so and so’s.”
There are a lot of major holidays that are great for having large get togethers. With the different holidays come different types of parties that you may throw for it. For instance, Fourth of July parties are typically barbeques and pool parties. Thanksgiving parties are dinner parties while Christmas parties can be cocktail parties. Holiday party planning is not much different then planning other types of parties. You still have to consider your guest list. You’ll have to make sure you have enough food for the number of people attending. You’ll have to consider a venue, renting tables or chairs and buying party supplies. The big difference is that the holidays themselves also require a lot of preparation. If you are planning to have a Christmas party, you somehow have to incorporate gift shopping, holiday decorating and all of the other Christmas preparations to top of your holiday party planning. You may need a little help. You can ask someone to plan the party with you or you can hire a party planner.
Choosing the theme is already done for you when you are throwing a holiday party so the way to make it different is to incorporate fun and unique activities to do or through your party presentation. Research and put the time and money into the little things that will make your party unique. Consider doing a fabulous invitation. Rather then sending the plain old invitation that everyone sends, change it up. Maybe send your quests their party favors in advance for a Christmas or Chanukah party. Buy a small gift for each guest, send it to their homes as a wrapped present and include the party invitation as the gift tag. For a thanksgiving party, you might consider writing out your invitation in an ink pen in a dialogue that the pilgrims might use then age the paper by heating it slightly in the oven. You can send the invitation rolled up and tied with a string. There are so many things you can do it only takes a little imagination. Holidays are great because they allow the fools in you to come out. So don’t be shy about stretching your imagination and making the silly or impossible, possible.
Above all, when people attend a holiday party they are looking to have a good time. They look forward to these excuses during the year to forget about the pressures of life and let loose. It is up to the host or hostess of the party to supply that for their party guests. The goal is to have your guests leave and talk amongst themselves about the wonderful time they had. As each year goes by, it’s hard for people to remember every holiday. But, by giving a great holiday party, you give your guests a way to treasure that year and say, “that was the holiday that we went to so and so’s.”
Dinner Party Planning
There is something so classy about sitting down to a nice, elegant dinner with a few friends or family members. Maybe it’s the light from the candles. Maybe it’s the sound of the forks hitting the porcelain. Or maybe it’s because one of the first gifts that man was given was the ability to enjoy food. But whatever it is, throwing a dinner party is a wonderful excuse to get together when there is nothing in particular to celebrate.
Planning a dinner party is slightly different from planning a regular party. Normally there are fewer guests invited to a dinner party then a regular party. The atmosphere is a little bit more intimate. Yes, food it a hug party of throwing a regular party but, with dinner parties, the focus is centered around the food more. It is a sit down dinner while some parties are buffets or just appetizers like cocktail parties.
The guest list is limited by how many guests can be seated around your table comfortably. It is up to the host as to who is invited. Sometimes throwing a dinner party is a way to introduce a couple of friends to each other. Or maybe you love to experiment with cooking and would like someone to experiment on. Some thought would go into who should be invited. Do these people get along; will they find mutual subjects to talk about. Is this person that you would like to invite going to be the odd man out? This especially pertains to if you are inviting mostly couples.
The important things to remember in your dinner party planning are your supplies. This is not the type of party where you can supply paper plates and plastic forks and knifes. Dinner parties call for breaking out the fine china and silverware. If you don’t think that you own anything that is acceptable, you can always rent some. You should also use a centerpiece for the table that includes candles. The centerpiece itself is up to you depending on the occasion and your style but, candle light gives the perfect atmosphere to the table. You should also use a linen table cloth with matching or close to matching cloth napkins if you have them. Again, these supplies can be rented if you don’t own anything that you think is right. Make sure that your space is adequate for the people you are planning to invite. Usually dinner parties start out with a few cocktails as the guests arrive so you will need room for your guests to mingle. At the table each guest should have enough room for their place setting, to move their chair away from the table and are seated comfortably next to another guest. Sometimes dinner party hosts will serve several courses so this means sitting at the table for a while. Then after dinner you can show your guests to a seated area for coffee and relaxation. You just served them an outrageous meal; they want a place to digest. A nice living room area is perfect.
Compared to other types of party planning, dinner party planning is easy. Just remember that you are the host and set the mood for the entire night. It’s up to you to start stimulating conversation if it lags. But, there truly is no way to screw up a dinner party so, have fun!
Planning a dinner party is slightly different from planning a regular party. Normally there are fewer guests invited to a dinner party then a regular party. The atmosphere is a little bit more intimate. Yes, food it a hug party of throwing a regular party but, with dinner parties, the focus is centered around the food more. It is a sit down dinner while some parties are buffets or just appetizers like cocktail parties.
The guest list is limited by how many guests can be seated around your table comfortably. It is up to the host as to who is invited. Sometimes throwing a dinner party is a way to introduce a couple of friends to each other. Or maybe you love to experiment with cooking and would like someone to experiment on. Some thought would go into who should be invited. Do these people get along; will they find mutual subjects to talk about. Is this person that you would like to invite going to be the odd man out? This especially pertains to if you are inviting mostly couples.
The important things to remember in your dinner party planning are your supplies. This is not the type of party where you can supply paper plates and plastic forks and knifes. Dinner parties call for breaking out the fine china and silverware. If you don’t think that you own anything that is acceptable, you can always rent some. You should also use a centerpiece for the table that includes candles. The centerpiece itself is up to you depending on the occasion and your style but, candle light gives the perfect atmosphere to the table. You should also use a linen table cloth with matching or close to matching cloth napkins if you have them. Again, these supplies can be rented if you don’t own anything that you think is right. Make sure that your space is adequate for the people you are planning to invite. Usually dinner parties start out with a few cocktails as the guests arrive so you will need room for your guests to mingle. At the table each guest should have enough room for their place setting, to move their chair away from the table and are seated comfortably next to another guest. Sometimes dinner party hosts will serve several courses so this means sitting at the table for a while. Then after dinner you can show your guests to a seated area for coffee and relaxation. You just served them an outrageous meal; they want a place to digest. A nice living room area is perfect.
Compared to other types of party planning, dinner party planning is easy. Just remember that you are the host and set the mood for the entire night. It’s up to you to start stimulating conversation if it lags. But, there truly is no way to screw up a dinner party so, have fun!
Bachelor Party Planning
He followed his bride to be to every flower store, to every cake tasting appointment, through every page of every bridal magazine invented and now it is his turn. Let’s face it, a wedding is mostly about one thing; the bride. She is primarily the one who is fulfilling her dreams from when she was a child and making every fantasy come true. And yes, the men enjoy the party that a wedding brings and are fulfilling their dreams by marring the girl that they love but, they are secretly living through it for one thing; the bachelor party.
The bachelor party is his time to shine. It’s the only thing throughout the entire wedding process that is all about him. And that’s what bachelor party planning entails; giving him the night he deserves. Most likely the one to plan the bachelor party is the best man. The ushers are also involved but it’s the best man that needs to take the lead. The first thing that the best man should do is to find out what the groom would like for his last night of freedom.
It is pretty clique to think that all men would like to see a half naked girl dancing on their laps. This does tend to be the bachelor party trend though. A lot of men feel like they want to get “it out of their system” in order to settle down. Again, it is up to what the groom wants. If this is something that he would like to do, then it is up to the best man and his ushers to fulfill his every dream. But, if you are looking for an alternative, there are plenty of other things you can do.
Maybe the groom is a little more wholesome and not interested in seeing anyone but his future wife dance around half naked. That is okay also. Instead of planning a trip to the strip bar, plan a trip to an adult arcade where you can buy alcohol and food as well as play the games. Or you might want to go to a batting cage. Although it does not serve food or drinks, that is something you can do afterwards. Think about taking your buddy and all of his friends to play paint ball. It is a good way to release nervous energy and bond with the guys. Hire a limo wherever you decide to go to eliminate any problems with a designated driver. Everyone at the bachelor party can have an equal amount of fun.
The guest list and who should pay are some things that a lot of guys have trouble figuring out. Who should be invited to the bachelor party? It should definitely be the father of the bride and groom and any male relatives. Of course, the ushers should be on the guest list. If you have any doubt about who should be invited, talk to the bride. She will be able to provide you with a proper list of who should be invited plus their addresses or telephone numbers. While you’re at it, at this point you should talk to the bride about some things that she would not appreciate her groom getting involved in. Be a good friend, save your friend from any problems in the future. Who pays for the night is a little more tricky. You might get lucky with a father or father-in-law of the groom who is willing to pay for the whole night. But, if that is not the case add up how much you think the night would cost and divide it by the number of guys going. Leave out the groom so he does not have to shell out anything. Don’t forget to add in tips to the cost of each event.
Above all, the bachelor party is a time to let loose and have a good time. Be the best man you can be and give the groom everything he wants.
The bachelor party is his time to shine. It’s the only thing throughout the entire wedding process that is all about him. And that’s what bachelor party planning entails; giving him the night he deserves. Most likely the one to plan the bachelor party is the best man. The ushers are also involved but it’s the best man that needs to take the lead. The first thing that the best man should do is to find out what the groom would like for his last night of freedom.
It is pretty clique to think that all men would like to see a half naked girl dancing on their laps. This does tend to be the bachelor party trend though. A lot of men feel like they want to get “it out of their system” in order to settle down. Again, it is up to what the groom wants. If this is something that he would like to do, then it is up to the best man and his ushers to fulfill his every dream. But, if you are looking for an alternative, there are plenty of other things you can do.
Maybe the groom is a little more wholesome and not interested in seeing anyone but his future wife dance around half naked. That is okay also. Instead of planning a trip to the strip bar, plan a trip to an adult arcade where you can buy alcohol and food as well as play the games. Or you might want to go to a batting cage. Although it does not serve food or drinks, that is something you can do afterwards. Think about taking your buddy and all of his friends to play paint ball. It is a good way to release nervous energy and bond with the guys. Hire a limo wherever you decide to go to eliminate any problems with a designated driver. Everyone at the bachelor party can have an equal amount of fun.
The guest list and who should pay are some things that a lot of guys have trouble figuring out. Who should be invited to the bachelor party? It should definitely be the father of the bride and groom and any male relatives. Of course, the ushers should be on the guest list. If you have any doubt about who should be invited, talk to the bride. She will be able to provide you with a proper list of who should be invited plus their addresses or telephone numbers. While you’re at it, at this point you should talk to the bride about some things that she would not appreciate her groom getting involved in. Be a good friend, save your friend from any problems in the future. Who pays for the night is a little more tricky. You might get lucky with a father or father-in-law of the groom who is willing to pay for the whole night. But, if that is not the case add up how much you think the night would cost and divide it by the number of guys going. Leave out the groom so he does not have to shell out anything. Don’t forget to add in tips to the cost of each event.
Above all, the bachelor party is a time to let loose and have a good time. Be the best man you can be and give the groom everything he wants.
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