Anyone that knows us, knows that Gini and I LOVE Halloween and get really wrapped up in it so I apologize for not posting in a while.
Now it’s the end of November and the holidays are definitely in full swing and there’s something every month unil February to plan for. The best way to get through is great planning whether you’re hosting everything, attending several parties or a mix of the two.
If you’re planning a party, the first step is choosing a theme. This is pretty easy with the holidays but plenty of room for creativity. You’ll also want to factor in the size of the party and location. Location includes how many people will comfortably fit once tables for food and drinks are also factored in, room for seating, any additional room for activities.
Now it’s the end of November and the holidays are definitely in full swing and there’s something every month unil February to plan for. The best way to get through is great planning whether you’re hosting everything, attending several parties or a mix of the two.
If you’re planning a party, the first step is choosing a theme. This is pretty easy with the holidays but plenty of room for creativity. You’ll also want to factor in the size of the party and location. Location includes how many people will comfortably fit once tables for food and drinks are also factored in, room for seating, any additional room for activities.
Next will be the menu and you’ll need to factor in the time of the day as well. Along with this, you’ll want to make sure to budget for tableware if it’s a larger party and you don’t have enough in your stash, or if you don’t like doing dishes like me. Another item you may want to budget in is takeaway containers. You won’t be overwhelmed with extra food and guests can take a bit of the party home with them.
If you feel like you have more food that what will fit on a table, check for items you may already have to help elevate the items such as stand, boxes, cupcake stands, etc. This creates an impressive display and cuts down on table space needed. If you plan on serving alcohol, plan a cut off time and only serve water, coffee, and soda after that. Stay classy! Here’s a great infograph from Chickabug Blog on how much food you’ll need to plan for.
If you feel like you have more food that what will fit on a table, check for items you may already have to help elevate the items such as stand, boxes, cupcake stands, etc. This creates an impressive display and cuts down on table space needed. If you plan on serving alcohol, plan a cut off time and only serve water, coffee, and soda after that. Stay classy! Here’s a great infograph from Chickabug Blog on how much food you’ll need to plan for.
Finally, the really fun part of planning - decorations! After you’ve mapped out your location with the food and beverage stations, sitting areas and anything else you can fill in with the “little” touches. Even basic table linens, plastic or cloth, can be made more exciting with toppers or banners. Tissue and tulle poms are simple and inexpensive to make, can be customized to any theme, and can fill up hard to decorate spaces like corners. Little details such as the color of the napkins, themed straws, or small flower arrangements can still have a big impact. You’ll really want to be as detailed in your planning with this so you stay within your budget.
I’m a fan of photo booths for parties. Easy to customize, takes up a large space as its own “decoration”, the pictures can easily turn into thank you favors, and they’re pretty self-sufficient with a camera, tripod and a handheld trigger. Backgrounds can be as simple as a plastic table cover, tons of swirled streamers, or fancier with high quality vinyl backdrops, or metallic streamers or curtains.
You may also want to consider music. It’s another one of those little details that’s easy to set up and has a great impact even just as background noise.
As you’re going through the planning process make sure you give yourself plenty of time to set up. If you map out everything out (how the food tables are set up, where the tables are placed, etc.), you’ll go through set up much quicker than if you made those decisions the day of. It also cuts down a lot on the stress levels.
The most important step is to ENJOY THE PARTY YOURSELF. Don’t scrutinize over what you couldn’t add or that thing there being slightly off and everyone notices it. It may come down to setting up and people are arriving early and you’re not done. Some things may need to be cut out. It’s ok! Just keep notes for next time about what you were and weren’t able to do, what went well and what you don’t need to do for next time but worry about that after. Have fun!
I’m a fan of photo booths for parties. Easy to customize, takes up a large space as its own “decoration”, the pictures can easily turn into thank you favors, and they’re pretty self-sufficient with a camera, tripod and a handheld trigger. Backgrounds can be as simple as a plastic table cover, tons of swirled streamers, or fancier with high quality vinyl backdrops, or metallic streamers or curtains.
You may also want to consider music. It’s another one of those little details that’s easy to set up and has a great impact even just as background noise.
As you’re going through the planning process make sure you give yourself plenty of time to set up. If you map out everything out (how the food tables are set up, where the tables are placed, etc.), you’ll go through set up much quicker than if you made those decisions the day of. It also cuts down a lot on the stress levels.
The most important step is to ENJOY THE PARTY YOURSELF. Don’t scrutinize over what you couldn’t add or that thing there being slightly off and everyone notices it. It may come down to setting up and people are arriving early and you’re not done. Some things may need to be cut out. It’s ok! Just keep notes for next time about what you were and weren’t able to do, what went well and what you don’t need to do for next time but worry about that after. Have fun!
Have planning questions or ideas you’d like to see on the blog? Let us know via the contact page or our facebook page!