Send out invitations to guests. Paper invitations are my favorite (order a month out) but evite, paperless post, or email/text work as well. If you’re using your own dish-ware make sure you have enough of everything. In my case I often use sturdy plastic plates in cool shapes and colors as well as dessert and appetizer plates, nice plastic glasses, and silverware. When party time comes, you will be so glad you’re dumping everything in the trash and not loading the dishwasher. Trust me. So, buy all paper products, glasses, plastic utensils, dessert/appetizer plates, etc. Check to make sure you have drink dispensers, platters, utensil holders, place mats, tablecloths, candle holders, vases, and anything else you might be using for the party. If you don’t have it, order or get it now. Don’t wait until LATER. Later = Stress Have you come up with any new ideas, fun food thoughts, or anything that might require some planning. Get that all done now.
When I entertain I actually want my friends to be entertained and have something to do. Set up stations of drinks, food, and dessert. Have your guests engaged in some of the stations. Make your own.. Mocktail, yogurt parfait, s’more… Pass appetizers yourself or have a friend help you so you can chat with each guest when they come in. Offer a fun drink as guests enter. A cold lemonade during the summer or warm egg nog in the winter. Set out fun drink markers or notes or something for them to do or talk about. Have a friend that’s great at painting nails come and do a quick coat on friends, have a photo booth with props, have a friend who’s a great photographer come and take pictures, an artist friend paint a picture, a musician friend play the guitar. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have unique fun “attraction” at your party. The weirder the better! Right? Think outside the box. But, this all needs to be planned out at least 2 weeks out.
You should have most of your decorations, all paper products and extras bought and set in a certain place. I love the corner where I keep all of my party supplies, just looking at it makes me happy and has often prompted new ideas. Go through each room and decide where you’ll be placing everything and if you’re missing anything. If it’s possible, you’ll want drinks separate from food, separate from dessert. Keep guests engaged, moving around, and having something to do throughout the night. Pick out what you’re going to wear (I’m serious) these are the little things you’re not going to want to worry about as the date gets closer. Make a playlist for your party, chat with friends about it and let them chip in if you want. Friends love to help and I have to admit I never let them (but you should). Menu is finalized and you should be feeling pretty on top of everything with very LOW STRESS.
Last thing, make sure your kids are being taken care of for 2 hours before the party and during. Hire a “helper” to help with the party. You pay for babysitters so why not pay for help during the party and for a couple of hours before. It will be worth every cent and you’ll have 4 hands. Party planning is an art and creative and fun!
