Surprise Party Planning
A surprise party is a tremendously fun way to take an ordinary party to the next level. A well planned surprise party can have the honoree thinking that everyone has forgotten his or her birthday. Nothing is more fun than patiently waiting for the special day, then getting to jump out and yell, “Surprise!” Just when your friend starts to think no one will remember the special day, party time arrives. Your friend will feel so special!
Surprise party planning is different than other types of party planning. It requires a little extra time and effort to pull it off successfully. Occasions best suited for surprise parties are birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, and graduations. It is not recommended to plan a surprise party for holidays with set dates such as Halloween or Christmas. Surprise parties are not well suited for the elderly either. You do not want to throw a surprise party for an expectant mom, or someone with a bad heart.
When planning a surprise party, consult with friends before setting the date. You might consider having the party after the actual occasion. This adds to the element of surprise! Once the date is set, you are ready to proceed with your surprise party planning.
Choose a party location. This can be your house, a restaurant, or a rented party venue. Next you need to create your guest list. Be sure to include the guest of honor’s close friends. Consult the guest of honor’s family for ideas on who to invite. The tricky part is inviting the guests and keeping everything hushed up so the guest of honor does not find out. Be sure that every guest knows it is a surprise party. Handle gossips carefully; they are usually the ones who spill the beans.
One of the biggest challenges of surprise party planning is getting the guest of honor to the party. You will have to use your head and figure out a great trick plan. One great way to accomplish this is to employ her close friends. Make sure the guests are aware of the trick plan so they can maintain the secret effectively. It is best to plan the trick or decoy activity to end about 30-45 minutes after guests arrive. You don’t want guests waiting around forever for the party to begin. On the day of the party, have someone in charge of letting guests know to park around the corner out of sight.
Surprise party planning requires many of the same duties as other types of parties. You need to plan the menu, and shop for food, supplies and decorations. If you cannot afford to pay for the entire party, you might ask guests to contribute money. You could also create a list of necessary items and have each guest bring something. Don’t forget the cake! Include fun supplies that will add to the surprise element: confetti, noisemakers, and party poppers.
When all of the guests have arrived, review the surprise plan. Give guests the noisemakers, confetti, etc. You’ve done all of your surprise party planning in advance. Now just relax and enjoy the fun!
Party Planning Software
If you want to host a truly successful party, there are some valuable and helpful tools to assist you in this endeavor. One specific tool that can help you immensely is party planning software. This is the technology age, so there are new software products being released onto the shelves all the time.
Party planning software will keep you organized and totally on track with your party planning duties. Instead of writing notes on paper and trying to keep them organized, let the party planning software help. There is no need to dig through several pages of notes and checklists to find something specific. With party planning software, you can easily find and track everything in one single location. These software tools allow you to manage lists, set deadlines for your tasks, and schedule and manage appointments.
By utilizing an efficient party planning software, you can accomplish your checklist items quickly and easily. Unless you are a professional party planner, you most likely have a regular job. It can get tricky trying to plan a party and also work a full time job. Party planning software can make juggling work and party planning much easier. You can schedule appointments, and then create reminders so you don’t miss these important dates. You can maintain control and peace of mind with such a handy party planning tool.
Some party planning software is generic and accommodates all kinds of party planning. There are also some products that are geared for a specific party type: wedding, graduation, retirement, birthday, etc. If you think you might be planning several different types of parties, a generic style package is probably your best bet. If you are planning your own wedding, you will easily benefit from a wedding party planning software.
You can create a budget using the software, then monitor expenses to make sure you stay within your limits. Many party planning software products come with built in invitation layouts, so you can create your invitations and print them right from your computer. Most packages include many party theme ideas, sources for party favors and supplies, and ideas for party games and activities.
Prices vary on party planning software packages. Some of them are very affordable and easy to use. It is well worth investigating this as a solution to your party planning, especially when you consider the amount of time and headache it will save you. A handy tool like this can prevent some embarrassing and costly mistakes by keeping you organized and within your budget.
Party planning software can be purchased in many electronic and software boutiques. You can also find many products on the internet as well. If you are thinking of planning any type of party, be sure to consider an inexpensive party planning software program. It will make your job much easier, and much more enjoyable. On party day, you will be proud of the terrific party you successfully planned. Enjoy!
Food Party Planning
Imagine a party without food. That would be pretty boring, right? Food party planning is an important part of any party. Your guests will not be very impressed by a party without any food. It is important to give food party planning the attention it deserves.
One of the toughest challenges of food party planning is estimating the proper quantities. The first step is to decide what you plan to serve. This depends largely on the type of party you plan to have. A dinner party involves planning appetizers, a full course meal, etc. and is much more involved. A birthday party might involve finger food and a birthday cake. Establish exactly what you plan to serve, and plan your guest list. You cannot properly estimate food quantities until you know how many guests will be included.
If you are serving appetizers and hors d’oeuvres only, without a meal, estimate 6 appetizers per guest per hour for the first couple of hours of the party. After two hours, the guests will consume about half of that, so estimate about 3 per guest for the latter portion of the party.
If you plan to serve pizza, allow 3 to 4 slices per guest. If you are serving pizza alongside other buffet items, such as chicken wings, dips and chips, etc., you might get by with less. Allow one pound of ice per guest if the beverages you serve require icing down. Allow more for a summer party held outdoors. If serving cocktails, allow sufficient ice for those as well.
If you are planning a buffet style menu, bear in mind that most guests will sample everything. The fewer choices you offer, the more a guest will consume of the few items you offer. When you offer a wider variety of choices, the guests usually consume less of each particular item.
Food party planning also involves estimating beverage quantities. If you are serving punch, allow about 9 guests per gallon of beverage. If you are serving canned sodas, allow about 2 or 3 per person, depending on the length of the party. If you are serving cocktails, allow 2 drinks per guest per hour for the first couple of hours, and 1 drink per guest after that. If a guest is consuming 4 to 6 beverages at a party per hour, keep your eye on him!
Successful food party planning involves being prepared days in advance of the party. Don’t put things off until the last minute. Have your menu totally planned with properly estimated quantities. Prepare a shopping list and do your shopping plenty of time in advance. Prepare any foods you can ahead of time. There will be some food you have to prepare on the day of the party, but have as much done prior to party day as possible.
When doing your food party planning, remember your shopping list should not include just food. You also need to allow for napkins, plates, ice, liquor, beverages, decorations, party favors, etc.
While food party planning does present its challenges, if you start out with an organized plan and follow some simple basic guidelines, you will shortly see that it is not really as hard as it seems. Once you complete your food party planning, relax and have fun at your party!
Cocktail Party
A cocktail party is a great way to entertain a large quantity of guests very afford ably. Cocktail parties are great for business associates, but also a fun idea for friends and family. You can host a successful cocktail party very easily by simply following a few basic cocktail party planning guidelines.
You first need to create a guest list. You cannot properly estimate cocktail party supplies without determining the approximate number of guests. Proper cocktail party planning requires that you create a budget for your party. Your budget should allow for food, invitations, beverage supplies, food, ice, glasses, serving dishes, decorations, and a bartender if you plan to use one. A caterer is also an option if your budget allows.
Create an easy to follow checklist as you do your cocktail party planning. This will help you accomplish everything on time. Prioritize the list. Mark which items can be done before party day, and highlight the tasks that can only be done on the day of the event. Plan to do your shopping days in advance of the party.
Prepare and send out your invitations. Ask guests to RSVP. It is best to send out invitations at least two weeks in advance. You can buy ready made invitations, make your own, or have them printed by a professional printer. You can easily create invitations using popular software products such as Photoshop.
The next step in cocktail party planning is to plan your food. Decide what foods and cocktails you will serve by creating a menu. At some cocktail parties, only beer and wine is served. Most cocktails parties, though, offer mixed drinks. Decide if you plan to use a bartender. If so, you should locate and book the bartender well in advance of the party. It is recommended to meet with the bartender in person to discuss the details of the event. If your budget does not allow for a bartender, you can opt for a self service bar. Cocktail party menu items usually consist mainly of appetizers and finger foods. Some options include: cheese; crackers; shellfish; dips; caviar; chicken nuggets; eggrolls; deviled eggs; meatballs; pigs-in-blankets; stuffed mushrooms; kabobs; nuts; chips; popcorn; pretzels; cocktail sandwiches; pasta salad; brownies; cake; chocolate covered strawberries; and the list goes on. This is making me hungry!
After you choose your menu items, prepare your shopping list. Be sure to include: food items; cocktail supplies; ice; glasses; cocktail napkins; serving dishes; and decorations. You will need trays for serving your food items. You will need to rent or borrow tables, chairs, tablecloths, snack bowls, and coolers for icing down beverages. You also need to include a coffee service table; many guests might like to have a cup of coffee prior to their departure.
Your basic bar stock beverages include vodka, red and white wine, beer, and whiskey. You might also want to stock tequila, vermouth, triple sec, gin, bourbon, and rum. Be sure to include mixers. Common mixers include: orange juice; cola; ginger ale; tonic water; margarita mix; grenadine; lime juice; and citrus fruit slices such as lemons, limes, and oranges. Include sodas and bottled water for your guests that do not drink alcohol.
If you performed your cocktail party planning duties properly, you should be fully prepared on party day. Remember to follow your checklist and perform many tasks in advance, then relax and enjoy your party!
Dinner Party Planning
It is so stylish and elegant to settle down and enjoy a tasteful, classy dinner with your family and a few of your friends. Imagine candles flickering and creating a soft glow in the atmosphere. It is such a relaxing time to sit back, enjoy great food, and spend time with friends and family with no occasion to celebrate in particular except enjoying each other’s good company and a terrific dinner.
Dinner party planning is a little bit different than other types of party planning. Usually the guest list is smaller than for other parties. Most often, the atmosphere is cozier. While many other parties include food, it usually consists of appetizers, buffets, and maybe cocktails. Dinner parties require a bit more planning, because the party itself is focused on an entire meal.
When creating the guest list, you must consider the seating you have available so that you can comfortably accommodate every guest. The host or hostess should decide who to invite. Dinner parties are sometimes used as a way of introducing people, such as new neighbors. Dinner parties are also often a way for cooking enthusiasts to get together and enjoy each other’s dishes. Be thoughtful when creating your guest list. For example, if you are inviting mostly couples, maybe inviting one of your single friends would make them uncomfortable.
Supplies are a very important part of your dinner party planning. This is the time to show off your fine china and flatware. If you don’t think your china is presentable enough for a dinner party, you can always consider renting or borrowing some. Candles should be included in your centerpiece, because they add such a warm ambiance to your table. The centerpiece you choose can vary widely, and depends on the occasion and your sense of style. An elegant table cloth with matching napkins is a nice touch, if you have them. If not, you can always borrow or rent some that will do nicely.
Usually appetizers and cocktails are served when the guests first arrive, so you need an adequate space for your guests to chat and mingle. At the dinner table, guests need adequate room for their place setting, and the ability to maneuver their chair away from the table with ease. You want your guests to be comfortable, and multiple dinner courses might have them sitting at the table for a while. You need a place to gather after the meal to enjoy coffee and conversation. Your guests need a comfortable place to relax and digest the wonderful dinner you just served, such as a living or drawing room.
Dinner party planning is fun and easy. As the host or hostess, you set the mood for the entire evening. If things get too quiet, you need to spark the conversation. Just relax, enjoy your guests, and have fun!
Bachelor Party Planning
During the planning stages of a wedding, everything seems to be focused on one thing: the bride. The groom-to-be patiently listens to every detail on flowers, cakes, wedding dresses, fine china, the reception, the honeymoon, the bridesmaid dresses, and the rehearsal dinner. The bride has been waiting for this since she was a little girl, and now she wants everything to be perfect and all her dreams to come true. The bachelor is marrying the girl he loves and wants so much for her to be happy. But in the back corners of his mind, he is focusing on one thing: the bachelor party.
The bachelor party is the one thing that is not all about the bride. It is about the groom; this is his special time to capture the spotlight. The bachelor should always be the main focus of bachelor party planning; he deserves it after all he has endured throughout the wedding planning process. Usually the best man is the bachelor party planner, most often getting assistance from the ushers. The bachelor himself should decide what type of party he would like to have, since this is his last night of freedom. So the best man’s first step in party planning should be to consult the future groom.
The commonplace stereotype bachelor party that always comes to mind is beer drinking men watching a nearly naked girl jump out of a cake and proceed to lap dance, paying special attention to the bachelor. Many men feel they are about to be taken captive for life, so this last fling of freedom is what they feel they need before settling down for a lifetime of marriage. The bachelor party should be focused on what the bachelor wants. If the bachelor wants to have a girl jump out of a cake, then the best man and his party planning team should make sure she does.
There are, however, alternatives to the stereotype bachelor party. The bachelor may be more reserved and has no desire to see anyone nearly naked dancing in his lap other than his future wife. This is a time to relax and have fun. If drinking will be involved, consider hiring a limousine to avoid having to assign someone as a designated driver. You want everyone to have fun at the party, so hiring a driver eliminates that problem. Consider going to a sports bar, or a pool hall if that is what the bachelor wants to do. Plan a paintball party with food and drinks afterward. Be creative and listen to the bachelor; there are lots of things you can do besides watch a girl jump out of a cake in a smoke filled room.
Sometimes bachelor party planners have a little trouble figuring out who to invite and who should pay for the party. You want to be sure to invite the father of the bride and groom, along with any other male relatives. They should, of course, be of the proper age for a bachelor party. You don’t want the bride’s first grade brother attending a drinking party with a half naked girl in a cake, and neither does his mother. The ushers should be included. If you are not sure who all to include on the guest list, ask the bride. She can easily provide you with names and phone numbers of some other people that should be included. You also want to ask the bride if there is anything she does not want her future husband engaging in during this night of final freedom. This can prevent a lot of problems for your bachelor friend.
Many times, the father of the bride or groom is happy to fund the event. But if you aren’t that lucky, create a budget projecting what everything will cost. Then divide it by the number of guests, omitting the bachelor, of course. He should not have to pay for his own bachelor party. Be sure to include transportation and tips in your projected budget.
Do your best as party planner to give the bachelor the party he wants. This is his special night, and you want him to remember it as a wonderful event. As best man, you want to be the best bachelor party planner you can be.
Party Planning Checklist
A party planning host or hostess should be prepared for the work and effort involved in successfully planning a party. A party planning checklist is a terrific way to stay organized and accomplish everything required to provide the best party possible.
Every party needs a budget. A realistic party budget revolves around the number of expected guests so you can allow for sufficient supplies and food. You will need to create a guest list, and you will also need to consider the invitations. You can use evite.com for your invitations. You can also buy your invitations, or make them yourself. Your checklist will need to include making a list of guests, buying or making the invitations, and getting them sent or delivered to your party guests. Include on your checklist a date when your invites should be sent, allowing at least three weeks prior to the event to allow people sufficient time to plan. Allow your guest a reasonable time period to RSVP. Utilize your guest list as a secondary checklist, allowing you to easily track who has responded and whether or not they will be attending.
Your primary checklist should reference the location or venue where your party will take place. This may require some research and consideration in regards to your party budget. Get price quotes on various locations and see which one best fits your party budget. Next on your checklist, you need to consider the food. Again, consult your budget. You might want to hire a caterer rather than trying to do everything yourself. Be sure to get more than one price quote for party caterers, you might be surprised at variances in multiple price quotes.
If you decide to purchase and prepare the food yourself, you will need to add tasks to your checklists to allow for these duties. In this scenario, not only would your checklist include the actual purchasing and preparation of the food, but investigating the quantity needed and the cost as well. If you opt for the catered party, you will need to add a place on your checklist for booking the caterer. Another checklist entry would then be to confirm your booking with the caterer prior to, and closer to, the party date.
Your checklist should also include buying supplies, such as decorations, plates, ice, napkins, cups, drinks, food, etc. If you plan to offer party favors, that too should be on your checklist. If you will need rental equipment such as chairs, tables, canopies, etc., that also should be on your checklist.
The checklist for each party varies based on the type of party, and the expectations of the host or hostess giving the party. Regardless, creating a checklist keeps the host or hostess organized, allowing him or her the proper time for planning sufficiently. By utilizing a checklist, the party giver can have most of the work done well in advance of the eventful day, allowing them to enjoy the party more themselves. A party planning checklist is a key factor in organizing a successful party with a very effective presentation.
Holiday Party Planning
Holidays always present welcome opportunities for parties so you can visit with your friends and family in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Holiday parties do require some planning and organization, so it is wise to be totally prepared with holiday party planning skills.
With the variety of major holidays to choose from, there are many opportunities throughout the year for festive and fun social celebrations. Each different holiday lends itself to a different party style for that particular occasion. Independence Day parties are great for cookouts by the swimming pool. Christmas and Thanksgiving parties offer many options such as dinner parties and buffet style cocktail parties. Halloween presents the ever popular costume party, which is a lot of fun for adults and children of all ages.
Holiday party planning is very similar to other kinds of party planning. You still need a guest list, and you need to properly plan for food to sufficiently serve the number of guests. You also need a variety of supplies: furniture such as tables and chairs, and of course a suitable location for the party that is spacious enough to accommodate all of your guests.
The major difference between holiday parties and other types of social affairs is the added amount of stress due to the other preparations involved with the holiday season. If you are thinking of hosting a Christmas party, you still have other duties to perform such as shopping for gifts, decorating, working at your day job, and allowing extra time for child care if you have school age kids out for holiday vacation. With all of these events occurring at once, you might need some assistance with your holiday party planning. You can always ask a friend or family member for help, or you can hire a party planner who is knowledgeable and experienced in the preparations required, making your job easier and much more enjoyable.
While the theme of the party is already chosen based on the holiday you select for your party, you can add variety and excitement by having some lively and creative activities for your guests. Do some investigating up front and explore possibilities: get ideas from others; explore the internet for ideas; utilize ready available party planning guides and books.
Utilize your creative skills by making your own invitations. Get your kids involved, and allow them to help embellish the invitations with creative decorations, or get them to hand draw pictures incorporating the holiday theme. Children are very creative, and you might be surprised at how well the invitations turn out.
Use your imagination and buy or make inexpensive tokens or gifts, then attach or enclose the invitation with the gift. Fill a glass mason jar with cookie or hot chocolate mix, tie a bright fabric bow around the lid, and attach the invitation using twine. For a Thanksgiving party theme, make the invitation in the shape of a turkey and write the invitations by hand. With a little imagination and planning, you can come up with many great ideas for making your invitations unique.
During the holidays people are prone to let their hair down a little and show their “wild side.” Don’t be timid; reach deep inside that creative brain of yours and use your really fun and adventurous side. Dare to be different! Get a little silly; be frivolous and fun. Enjoy yourself; if you as a host or hostess are having fun, odds are your guests will follow suit.
Most importantly, holiday party guests primarily want to get together with friends and family, relax, and have a wonderful time. Parties give people the opportunity to forget about their troubles and life stresses and enjoy themselves. The host or hostess can pride themselves in a job well done if they accomplish this very important goal for their party guests.
You want your guests to rave about your party for days, months, or even years to come. As time passes and the holidays we experience ease into our memories, we forget the details of holidays from years past. If you as the host or hostess provide your guests with a well planned party, it will create a lasting memory for them to treasure and talk about for years to come.
Planning a Graduation Party
Graduations occur at various stages in children’s lives. There are graduation ceremonies when they graduate from kindergarten. Sometimes there are graduations when a child completes elementary school. There are high school graduations when a child is very excited to be entering adulthood and heading for college or their first full time job. If they proceed on to a higher education, there is also their graduation from college. Whatever the age, they have devoted many hours of effort and commitment to achieve this honor. They deserve a graduation party as a celebration and acknowledgment of their hard work.
Graduation party planning is similar to most other types of party planning. The guest list is usually much simpler to create when the child is in kindergarten or elementary school. This task can be a bit more complex when the child is older and graduating from high school or college. It is best to include the party recipient when creating the guest list unless of course it is a surprise party. Then the guest list creation can be a bit more difficult.
Do not hesitate to ask others to help you with the guest list. You want to be careful not to overlook anyone. If you are a relative of the guest of honor, you should consider enlisting the help from a school buddy to help you with names for the guest list. This is especially helpful not only to be sure and invite all of the right people, but also to avoid inviting any of the wrong ones. If your guest of honor is married, then someone in the spouse’s family would be a great resource to utilize. Do some investigating and find out if the party recipient is a member of any clubs or organizations. If they are a member of a church, they probably have friends in the congregation. Once you have your guest list completed, it is time to send out the invitations. If the party is going to be a surprise, be sure to make that stand out clearly on the invitation so that no one ruins the surprise.
With so many party supply resources these days, finding graduation party theme decorations should not be difficult. There are party supply stores in many locations, and there are some great resources online as well. You can utilize the school colors in your invitations and decorations. You also want to be sure and include the graduation year in your decorations, and maybe include a cake with the graduate’s name and graduating year as well. Explore your creative side and consider a theme such as a costume party, a Hawaiian luau, or a memory lane party with a time capsule.
The graduate needs to be relaxed and have fun. The party is out of the classroom and it needs to be. The party grad is leaving behind the old and embarking on the new. When graduation party planning, be sure and throw them a memorable party that they will treasure for many years to come.
Party Planning Tips
Most everyone at some time in their lives has hosted a party of some kind. When you were younger it was much simpler. You and your friends got together, brought some drinks, some snacks, maybe some pizza, or cranked up the grill and cooked hot dogs or hamburgers. Wow, instant party! That is just the way we were when we were younger.
As we get older and become responsible adults with jobs and families, putting a party together is more difficult. You are expected to follow more defined guidelines when planning a party. Your guests have expectations, and you have a sense of pride in planning a really great get together. This can add some pressure to successfully planning a party that everyone will enjoy.
Don’t let that stop you. There are some easy tips and tricks to follow in your party planning. First, decide what type of party you want to have. Do you want to have a birthday party, a holiday party, a dinner party? Do you want to throw a surprise party for someone? Once you decide the type of party you want to have, you need to create a guest list. Many of the decisions and choices you make in planning a party revolve around how many people will be attending.
Next, you need to plan the party activities. Will young children be attending? Younger children enjoy toys and games, so you will need to plan activities and events that create a lot of fun for their age group. If you have a budget in mind for the party, be sure to consider that when deciding how many people you will invite. The larger the number of guests, the more supplies you will need to purchase.
The primary choice for getting the message out to your potential guests is by sending invitations. There is a wide variety of invitations to choose from, or you can get creative and make your own. You can use cards and send them to your guests in the mail. You can also spread the word simply by calling your guests on the phone or telling them in person. You can also use email, or a website similar to evite.com. All you do is join for free, then create your invitation and send to the email addresses of the people on your guest list. Your guests can RSVP through the website, and evite.com keeps a record of those who are coming and those who are not. They can even include a message if they wish when they respond.
Next, you need to choose the location for your event. Think this through carefully. If you plan to have your party outside, what will be your plans if it rains? Consider the number of guests you expect, because you want to be sure to have plenty of room to accommodate everyone. Hosting a party at your home is fun, but it also requires cleaning before and after the party along with all the pre-party setup. Having the party at your home will create more work for you. Having the party at a place other than your home can take some of that pressure off of the host or hostess, allowing them to enjoy the party more.
One of the most challenging steps in party planning is deciding what food to serve, and determining how much you will need. Do you plan to make the food yourself or hire a caterer? Will you be serving finger food and appetizers or a full course dinner? What type of food does your budget allow? If you are planning a birthday party, you will of course need a birthday cake. These are all things that must be taken into consideration when you are planning a party. You really need to serve food at a party. Your guests will be expecting it. The first thing people usually ask about a party is, “What type of food was served? Was it good?” Again, your budget is an important factor when deciding the food you will serve at your party.
These are just a few things to consider when you do your party planning. As you research in more detail, you will discover many other tips and tricks for planning a successful and festive party. One of the best ways to learn is to just do it. So get started and have fun!
