With social gatherings having been on the back burner for the last couple of years attending and hosting parties has fallen by the wayside. However, with restrictions now easing and capacity limits on social events no longer being a dictating factor, more and more people are looking to celebrate events in person and with parties. In fact, 2022 is poised to be the year of the party. So whether you are celebrating a birthday, bridal shower, graduation, anniversary, or baby shower here you will find all you need to know when it comes to planning that next big party.
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Choose Your Party Theme
The theme of your party will dictate many subsequent decisions you go on to make regarding your party so it is best to get the theme locked in early. Typically speaking your party will be one of the following: a child’s birthday party, an adult birthday party, a special event such as an anniversary, or a seasonal event such as a Christmas party.
So for example, your child may be into Roblox, in which case a Roblox-themed party is perfect. If you are hosting a baby shower you may opt for a color theme that relates to the gender of the baby. Or, if you are hosting a Christmas party, your theme will clearly be in keeping with the Christmas holidays and traditional Christmas colors.
Know Your Budget
Together with choosing a theme, identifying your budget is another early consideration you have to make. Start by deciding how much you want to spend and ensure this ties up with how much you actually have to spend. Allocate proportions of the budget to certain elements of your party, such as an amount for food, decorations, games etc. The most important thing, however, is to stick to your budget.
The Date
Next up is choosing the date. Getting the date right for everyone is an almost impossible task so the best course of action is to provide guests with as much notice as possible. If you don’t know the exact details of your party yet but want to inform guests of the date to ensure they are able to attend then consider sending a ‘save the date’ card. A save the date card is simply an invitation to your party on a particular day but without specifying the location, the finer details, or sometimes even the time. It simply advises your guests that you will be having a party on that date and they should keep it free.
The Location
The location will affect the guest list and how many people your party can accommodate. You may not be able to host as many people in your home as say a purpose-built party venue. Equally hosting at your home may be more budget friendly than hiring a venue. Moreover, getting the location right is important. You always want to ensure that it is suitable for the type of party you intend to host and that it is accessible for your guests.
The Invitations
Now that you know your theme, the date, and the location it is time to invite your guest list. Sending out multiple invitations in the post or across social media and emails can be a laborious task. A task that can result in you overlooking responses or even missing out on invites in the first place. Consider setting up an online group via an online chat group app. Apps such as Geneva can offer built-in invite services that are linked to a centralized calendar. This makes it easy to share information, gather RSVPs and get reminders all in one place. A chat group can also be a great place for drumming up excitement for your party and sharing snaps after the event.
Get The Party Decorations
For creative party planners, this is where the fun starts. It is the time to start choosing and finding party decorations that are in keeping with your theme and that make your party stand out. Stick to a few colors and styles of decorations to keep it color-coordinated and stylish. Without going over the top. Even if you don’t have that creative flair there are a plethora of party decoration combinations and pre-styled packs available, which means all you have to do is hang them up. Whatever your skill-set, budget or timeframe there are any number of party decorations available to give your party that extra pizazz.
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Plan The Party Food
The food you serve at a party is always a talking point and something the guests look forward to. Whatever your budget is you have to be sure that you have provided enough food to feed everyone. If you are concerned that you do not have the skill-set to meet guests’ expectations, consider whether your budget extends to hiring caterers to ease the pressure. If you have hired caterers then you do still need to plan the party food in advance to ensure you are all on the same page and that the caterers have enough time to meet your expectations. While it is important to plan your food in advance, you do not need to order it or prepare it until much nearer the time. Importantly, when you have a good idea of the number of guests to expect.
Don’t forget the cake. A cake is not just a centerpiece for birthday parties. A great number of parties will have a cake and if you plan to order one make sure you do it several weeks in advance. If you plan to make your own why not have a trial run a few weeks before party day to ensure you know what you are doing and that it tastes as good as you hope it to.
Enjoy The Day
If you have managed to tick everything off your list before the party, if you have the decorations hanging how you want them, the food is prepared and the cake ready then sit back and enjoy the day. Not everything may go to plan. Not all guests may arrive but a relaxed and happy host always makes for a more enjoyable party. So try not to stress and enjoy yourself.