6 minute read
10 Steps to Organizing a Party
Organized Party Planning (the other O.P.P.)
BY AMY BERGMAN
Whether planning your child's birthday, your sister's baby shower, your parents' surprise anniversary, or a simple farewell dinner for a co-worker, party planning does not have to be overwhelming. Below are 10 Steps to Organizing a Party that will help you look like the hostess (or host) with the "mostest"!
1. Decide on what kind of party you want
to have. Take some time and think about who and what the party is for and also take a few minutes to try and visualize how it will look. This may help you determine the theme or color scheme for your party. If you’re hosting a party for someone then ensure that they’re also involved in all the decisions that they get the party that they want— unless of course it’s a surprise!
2. Decide on your budget. Some ways to save money are: ask others to bring food, hold the party in your home rather than paying for a venue, borrow things from friends or find things online on free sites like Facebook Buy Nothing groups. For kids parties, think about sharing the cost of hiring someone by joining up with other children’s parents. That way your child will get a great party and all their friends will be there. This is specifically useful if they have friends with similar birthdates. Ask a friend (or a few) attending the party to be your photographer, tell them the critical pics you want them to capture and then request that they send you everything they have captured afterwards.
3. Select the venue or host it yourself. If you don't have a venue in mind, the internet is a great place to start. Ask friends for recommendations. Living in South Florida, remember to have an indoor “Plan B” if your party is planned for outdoors. The weather here, any time of year, can be unpredictable. Consider some of the following: • How many people can the venue
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accommodate? • Does the venue suit the style of your event? • What services are provided for the rental you're paying? • Is there a great view? • Does the venue allow outside vendors? • Is there a minimum spend per person requirement? (NB! This could blow your budget!) • Is there enough parking space?
4. Choose time and date. Timing is crucial for any party. For a kid’s party, take in to consideration the ages of the children invited to the party and possible nap times, school release times for and other after-school activities. It is also helpful to not only announce a start time, but an end time as well, so that guests know when to expect the party to be over. This will also help them make arrangements for travel time and babysitters.
5. Make a list of guests. For most parties you can invite 20% more people than you can fit in the space since typically only 70 to 80% of invitees actually attend. If you are planning a child’s party, you may also want to consider any policies that the child school may have regarding policies and inviting other students.
6. Send out invitations. This may be paper invitations in the snail mail, email invitations and even phone invites. Some good online resources are: Paperless Post and Evite.
7. Make and confirm other arrangements.
Asking for help or hiring someone to help is okay. This may include entertainment, photographer, caterers, decorations etc.
8. Make a list of supplies and go
shopping (see budget above). Plan a day and time when you are going to get your party shopping done. Put it on your calendar and/ or your to-do list. Don’t put it off or leave it for 9. Start early on setting up. This will reduce your own stress on the day of the party. Ask for help. If hosting at home, you can always set up the day or night before. Check the restrooms at the venue or in your home before guests show up and make sure they are clean and fully stocked. Don’t forget to strategically place enough trash cans around your party space (less cleanup for you later).
10. Enjoy your own party. Try and relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors. If guests ask if they can help out, let them! Have a few chores or things in mind for when someone asks if they can pitch in. Don’t forget to schedule time for post-party clean up and tasks like thank you notes and returns. Block off time/day after the party on your calendar to give yourself time to clean up, put all the party supplies and gifts away and to then reflect and relax---you deserve it!
Amyzing Spaces provides professional organization for your home & office! Amy Bergman, a native Flordian, has always had a passion for organizing & simplifying things in life. She would love to help you make your space Amyzing!!! Check out her website at www. amyzingspaces.com, and you will see that she will be working with her clients to organize spaces in your home & office creating systems that work for you so you can achieve more peaceful calm in your space and be even more. You can also follow her on Facebook & Instagram. She posts excellent tips and resources there as well.
Do you have an organizational question for Amy? Send it to info@PBParenting.com to have her answer in an upcoming issue.
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