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Party Planning Ideas

August 22, 2011 By Comments

Photo courtesy of caribb on flickr

For some, planning a party is a walk in the park. And for others, it’s more like walking through the dessert on broken glass! Some have the knack and some don’t. Whether online or in print there is an abundance of party planning ideas out there to help. You can find information including theme concepts, food and beverage ideas and recipes, entertainment, games and more.

But for those who party planning does not come easy, the question is how to develop the more intricate details. Should you work within a budget? On average, how many drinks are required per person? And once you know what you are doing, how do you stay on top of things and track them?

Party Planning Ideas – How Many Drinks are too Many?

I think we can all agree that parties, no matter the occasion, are full of fun, fun and even more fun. From the moment the invitation is received, to the moment we arrive at the shindig, it’s all about anticipation and looking forward to the fun. But not so much for the person planning the party.

Today, a large part of party planning includes the beverages. You have to combine being a responsible host with ensuring your guests enjoy themselves at a party with an open bar. Although there is no exact science to it, the first rule of thumb to remember including alcohol at your party is – drinking and driving is a humongous no, no.

Smart Serve is an online site that educates, trains and certifies career and bar professionals including those working a single party or event (non-profit, corporate or a home party). Smart Serve’s goal is to provide the tools to deliver responsible alcohol service and encourages “good times and good judgment”. In Ontario, Canada, anyone that serves alcohol in a licensed establishment must be Smart Serve certified.

If you aren’t able to go the Smart Serve route, there is a useful online drink calculator. The online drink calculator will help you work out how much alcohol to have on hand for your party. Just by entering the number of guests along with the number of party hours, it will provide you with the basic information to stock the party bar.

Party Planning Ideas – To Budget or Not To Budget?

To budget or not to budget, that is the question. And the answer is a rip roaring YES! Setting a budget (and sticking to it!) is a really good way to keep your party on track. Whether you’re planning a corporate party or home party, there is nothing worse than going over budget. There is an on-line budget estimator that will help you determine the approximate cost of your party.

By making a realistic budget, including all of your line items, you will put yourself one step ahead. So when you do the party postmortem (solo or with the entire corporate board) you will be able to pin point any problems or over spends, and avoid those situations in the future.

Party Planning Ideas – We All Love a Checklist, Don’t We?

Another really good party planning idea is the ever present party planning checklist. Along with the party budget, a very important part of party planning is the checklist. A party planning checklist will enable you to keep track of all the responsibilities, purchases and deadlines, all in one convenient place. Utilizing a party planning checklist, will ensure you accomplish everything that is required, track the items and meet your deadlines. A party planning checklist is like the assistant you never had!

Determine what works best for you. The checklist can be an elaborate, multi-page spreadsheet or a basic handwritten outline on a sheet of paper. Regardless of the style, it will help keep you organized and add to the success of the party.

Party planning can be easy or hard, fun or a chore, depending on who is doing the planning. But using these party planning ideas, they will put you on the road to planning a successful party.

 

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Party Planning Checklist – Party Planner’s Map To A Fun, Worry-Free Bash

June 17, 2011 By Comments
party planning checklist

Image by the green gal via Flickr

Enjoy Your Own Party More By Following A Party Planning Checklist

Going to a party is fun, no doubt about that. However, organizing and throwing one can be overwhelming due to the countless tasks and details that you have to handle. If you don’t get a grip of things, it can get out of hand and could lead to disaster. Nonetheless, there are ways to ease the stress and worry that comes with planning an event. One of which is by following a party planning checklist.

What’s in a Party Planning Checklist?

When thinking about how to plan a party and all the details that are involved. First and foremost  I  recommend  utilizing a planning  party checklist. A party planning checklist enumerates all the things that you need to do when organizing and planning a party, like setting the date, picking the venue and menu to be served, who are invited, who will do the clean-up, and thank you cards to send. A more detailed kind of party planning checklist will also list minute details, such as charging the camera and preparing more space to save shots. The items on the checklist, of course, will vary depending on the kind of party you are throwing.

Parts of A Party Planning Checklist Based on Proximity of D-Day

You can easily divide your party planning checklist into pre-party, on-the-day-itself and post-party. You can then focus on one part according to which phase of the planning and organizing you are currently in.

A pre-party checklist includes all the things you need to do before the day of the party itself. It could be months, weeks or days before the big day but it will definitely help in the long run. For an illustration, check out the sample below.

Sample Pre-Party Planning Checklist 6 to 8 Weeks Before the Birthday Party

Photo courtesy of Hammonton Photography on flickr

1. Choose the date. (Some birthday parties are not held on the actual birthday.)

2. Set your budget.

3. Decide on theme or colors to be used.

4. Determine the number of guests to be invited and write your guest list.

5. Create a list of birthday party supplies. (Remember to always attach these lists to the party planning checklist.)

6. Choose the place where you want to hold your party: at home, in the office, a restaurant, a bar, or some other venue. Decide on whether to hold it alfresco or indoors.

7. Reserve the place if you decide to hold it on a venue.

On-The-Day Wedding Party Planning Checklist for the Bride

It’s name makes it a no-brainer; an on-the-day-itself party planning checklist outlines all the things that you need to do during the party. If it is your wedding and the party is kind of big, it may be a good idea to delegate the tasks to a wedding coordinator or to friends. However, if it is small and simple enough to handle, you can just follow the following sample wedding party checklist.

1. Coordinate with vendors and confirm that they or their products are in place.

2. Show up for your appointments (hair and make-up, nails, etc.), or better yet, arrange for them to go to you.

3. Have your pictures taken.

4. Do not forget to eat.

5. At the ceremony, see to it that the necessary items (your bridal bouquet, ring pillow and rings, flower basket, etc.) for the ceremony are at hand.

6. During the reception, prepare your going-away attire if you are intending to change to another wedding dress, including the shoes, accessories, jewelry, undergarments, etc.

7. Relax, smile, and enjoy. This is your big day.

A wedding can be a very elaborate party to hold. Well, the intricacy will vary according to your preferences, religion, ethnicity and other factors. But notice that the listed items above are few. This is because the other major things must be done prior to the day itself to minimize glitches. Also, delegating the other tasks to certain point persons will trim down the checklist of the bride. After all, it is her big day, and the more important task she has to do is to be happy and blush.

Just as no two parties are alike, no two party planning checklists should be the same. Each and every one will  vary depending on the kind of party, the host’s preferences and  really so many other party factors. So when planning a birthday party, wedding or any other kind of party event, be sure to use a party planning checklist,  and you will be a couple of giant steps a head of  the game.

 

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