Celebrating Birthdays >
Birthday Party Planning
Complete Birthday Party Planner
Planning a birthday party doesn't have to be a stressful
experience. With a little preparation, party plans can go off
without a hitch. Here's a detailed planner to help you throw the
perfect birthday party for that special person in your life. This
planner is appropriate for birthday parties for all ages.
Two months before the party
Approximately two months before the day of the party, choose and
secure the party location. Doing so ahead of time will ensure the
location is available. Great places to hold children's parties
include bowling alleys and favorite family restaurants. For adult
parties, consider hosting at a restaurant, tavern or conference
room. Of course, you can always host the party at your home if
you've got enough space!
One month before the party
Now is the time to choose a theme for the party and send out
invitations. While you may not want a theme for an adult birthday
party, you definitely want one for a child's party. Great themes
for kids include favorite cartoon characters and hobbies. For
example, you could have a Disney or Spongebob theme party. Or, how
about a sports or ballerina theme party for your athlete or
dancer? Possibilities for fun kids' party themes are limited only
by your imagination!
Select invitations that match your theme. On the invites, specify
who the party is for, how old they are going to be, when and where
the party is, and what phone number to call to RSVP. Obtaining
RSVPs from potential party guests is important because you'll need
to know how many people to plan for.
Two weeks before the party
Two weeks before the party, buy all the decorations and order the
balloons and cake. Go for coordinating decorations that match your
theme. For kids' parties, try a festive tablecloth, lots of
streamers, and matching plates, cups and napkins. For adults, try
tablecloths, streamers and dining accessories in the guest of
honor's favorite color.
You'll want to order the balloons and the cake, but not pick up
either order until the day before the party. This is to ensure the
balloons stay inflated and the cake is fresh. Balloons should
match the color scheme or theme of the party. For the cake, choose
the favorite flavor of the person having the birthday, creatively
frosted to coordinate with the rest of the party. You can even
have a picture of the person printed right on the cake. Another
option is to go for colorful cupcakes instead of cake.
Now is also a great time to plan the games you're going to have,
if any. You may not want games for adult parties. For kids, games
are lots of fun. Try classics like Pin the Tail on the Donkey or
get a pinata. This is an ideal time to get your party favors. You
can buy pre-wrapped gift bags for kids that contain small toys and
candy, or make your own.
One week before the party
Figure out the rest of your menu. For kids' parties, you might
want to serve pizza, potato chips and dip, punch and soda. For
adults' parties, try more sophisticated fare like gourmet
appetizers. Crudites with dip, bacon wrapped scallops and fondue
with fruit are a few examples of delicious grownup party fare.
Serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at your adult
birthday party.
Day before the party
Pick up the cake and balloons. Prepare snacks and appetizers and
store in refrigerator.
The day of the party
One hour before the party, warm up any hot food. While the food is
warming, decorate the party location. Approximately ten minutes
before the party begins, set out the food and beverages. The only
thing that's left to do is welcome the guests as they arrive!
Some people prefer sing Happy Birthday, blow out the candles and
eat the birthday cake before opening presents, others open
presents then eat cake. What order you do things in is up to you,
or the person celebrating the birthday!
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