Party Planning 101

How To Host An Amazing Party!

If there is one thing I absolutely LOVE to do, it’s party planning! The more extravagant the better. While a good paper hat and pinata birthday is always a hit with the kids, I’m usually not able to restrain myself from more elaborate set ups.

I don’t get a ton of opportunities, so when one comes around I like to go as big as my budget allows. Here are some of my steps for putting together a shindig!

Step 1 – Find a Reason to Throw a Party!!

This is kind of a no brainer, but I’ve included this step because there are some important things to think about before you get too ahead of yourself.

Make sure you think about who and what the party is for. If you’re doing a baby shower, you probably want to stay away from scary themes. If you’re planning a wedding shower for someone who likes modern style, you’ll want to stay away from vintage themes (like an elaborate tea party with real (from the thrift store) china).

The party should reflect the person it’s for, not the person who plans it. Make sure you establish what they want by asking questions before you begin the planning process.

• Do you have a theme/color?
• What is your design style?
• Will there be a certain dress code?
• How many people do you expect to attend?
• What is the budget for this party? (If they are covering expenses)

Step 2 – Pick a Basic Theme

This step isn’t as obvious as it seems. There are a million different themes you can pick, but some work better than others.

For example, when my sister was expecting her first baby, I asked what her theme was for the nursery to base her shower on. She said it was woodland deer. That’s a super specific theme (which makes sense if you know my sis lol).

However, most baby themes are a mishmash of animals. Woodland, water, safari, you name it they are accounted for. It’s extremely difficult to find decorations or gifts with only woodland animals, and near impossible to find only deer.

Instead, I opted to forgo animals altogether and do a woodland forest theme (SUPER BASIC). This worked a lot better because it gave me freedom with the decor, but wouldn’t contradict her nursery if she decided to keep any of the decor herself.

Always try to start as broad as possible, then add specific details where you can.

Step 3 – Find an Available Part of Your Home to do a Mini Set Up

This is definitely going to be the hardest part for you mamas with kiddos running around.

However, I have the tendency to over exaggerate things in my head, so this is essential for me. I’ll buy a few floral arrangements, and suddenly I’m picturing an elaborate tropical rain forest scene. Complete with heavy foliage and brush that overwhelms wherever you’re party is being held. Having your collection displayed somewhere helps you visualize how much you have, and lets you know where you need to beef up a little more.

One thing you’ll want to keep in mind. While it may look extravagant sitting on your dining room table, it could end up being a little sparse spread across eight table arrangements. Try setting up a single table arrangement exactly the way it will be on party day. If it’s too thin, mess around with adding a few more small accents.

Step 4 – Decide on a Meal Plan

Definitely one of the most important parts according to your guests. Menu planning is heavily influenced by what time of day the party is held. You’ll want to talk to the party recipient about what works best for them, or if they had a specific time in mind. If it’s around lunch or dinner time, expect to provide at least one main dish with sides. Another option is a morning or afternoon event where you can get away with light finger food.

Some of the meal time parties I’ve done worked well with:

• Hamburgers
• Chicken salad croissant sandwiches
• Baked potato bar (with bacon, because no meal is complete without meat according to my husband)

Unless you’re planning something fancy and can accommodate it, try to stay away from food that would require heavy duty serve ware and many dishwasher cycles.

Guests aren’t super picky about food, but this is definitely an area with the potential to wow them with your creativity. When I threw a one year old party for my second son, I went with a gentleman theme. We had Twix bars wrapped and boxed like cigars, and doughnuts shaped like men with frosting bow-ties and mustaches!! It was so adorable 😀

Step 5 – Be Entertaining

With most parties, you’ll want to provide something for your guests to do. I guarantee the time will pass faster for you than for them. Make sure people aren’t sneaking off to corners for a snooze. Again, this will be largely determined by what kind of party it is, as well as what time of year it is. Outdoor yard games work great for summer birthday parties, or printout puzzle games for showers. If I go through the effort of creating an elaborate party, I try not to get too cheesy with the games.

Typically, I look for something that’s more sentimental or conversational when I’m deciding on entertainment. For my sister’s woodland shower, I brought card stock squares with the alphabet (one letter per square). I had the guests write a Bible verse that started with each letter and sign it. Later, I laminated the cards for her to use as decorations or keepsakes.

Step 6 – Be Memorable

Closely related to step 5, try to incorporate something to send home with the person you’re throwing the party for. Preferably something they would enjoy, and won’t end up in storage because they’re too guilt stricken to get rid of it.

Once, for a wedding shower, I brought framed fern printouts that I had the guests write Bible verses or encouraging wedding advice on. It functioned as a guest book. After the wedding, they moved across country, and she was able to take a piece of her friends and family with.

Step 7 – Start Shopping!!!!!!

WHEW! The planning is done. Now for some fun 😀 Buying the decor is definitely my favorite part of party planning, here’s how I go about it.

Know Where to Look

You can always go to your local party or craft store, and they will usually have basic party supplies. But, if you’re like me and enjoy going more elaborate, make sure to check out the second hand stores in your area.

I know, this seems like an odd choice, but trust me! I’ve found centerpiece greenery for $1, glass vases for .25, wood and brass candle holders ranging from .25 to $1.50, and even linen table clothes 10/$5!!!!!!! I’ve also used my thrifting prowess to help friends with wedding decor: rocking chairs, brass candle sticks, vintage china dishes, wicker baskets (stacked as a dessert display, SO COOL). It’s amazing what you can do on a small budget with a little thrift store savvy.

Get Hands On

With a little elbow grease, you can make a huge party statement. I set up a life size Candyland game night for my church, and made almost all of the props from cardboard cutouts: ice cream castle, fudge pop swamp, candy cane fields. The kids loved it!!

Troll Pinterest for Inspiration

Pinterest is an amazing resource for ideas and inspiration. If you’re not sure of what theme to do or need a creative nudge with decor/center pieces, definitely search online.

Well, that about covers everything! So, get to party planning 😀

Let me know in the comments if this article was helpful, or if there is a certain theme you’d like to hear my perspective on!

If you’d like to hear more about the different theme parties I’ve done, let me know. I’d love to write up another post about whatever you guys would be interested in.