3 Months Out:
Pick a theme for your party or an inspiration picture that you’ll base your party around. My “Favorite Things” Party was all inspired by a Navy and Orange striped bag I saw in a catalogue a couple of months ago.
Pick a date that will work best for your family and guests. Be very thoughtful around school events, community happenings, and sport programs in your area. Talk to friends to make sure you’re not forgetting about anything important. The biggest party planning mistake is scheduling your party on a very busy night for your friends. I find Thursday nights are the best for girlfriends and Saturday night for a couples or family party.
Pick your guest list. It may be a small dinner party, a larger girls night, or family BBQ. Make sure that each family or guest knows at least 1-2 other guests. I often bring many different groups of friends together and as long as they know a couple of other people it will all run smoothly. Everyone DOES NOT need to know each other. I love bringing different sets of friends together. *As nice as it would be, you can’t invite everyone. Period. If you stress and worry about this you will never entertain, plan activities, and it will only hold you back from inviting friends in your home.
Find inspiration pictures around color and/or theme of your party. Decide at least one month out on this. The more time you have to think about your theme/colors/type of party the more fun details you will come up with. Parties are all about the DETAILS! If you’re doing everything last minute you will have no time for the fun details that make any party extra special and have that “Wow” factor. Check Pinterest, Etsy, magazines, Amazon, and blogs for ideas. The more time you spend thinking and researching party ideas and decor it will help spark your own creative juices.
When I plan a party, I think about the details and get online quite a bit (not just one night for a couple of hours but every couple of days when I have spare time over weeks). Once you have your general theme you can start thinking about your menu. (YES, one month before the party! By the way, by now I have already started buying decor, party favors, napkins or anything that I see that goes with the party. Don’t wait until LATER).
2 Weeks Out:
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 “attractions” 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!
3 days out to Go Time:
3 days out: Buy drinks, non-perishables, and most food except bread or things that may go stale.
2 days out: Start chopping! Prepare all your food and keep them in baggies so they’re ready to go. Ziplock bags are your best friends when preparing food for large gatherings. You can really do most things 2 days before. There are things like tomatoes, avocados and such that you’ll want to wait until the day of.
Day before: Set out all platters with notes about what food goes where. Plates, napkins, silverware and cups can all be set out as well. Chill drinks and set out all decorations that are inside. Buy flowers first thing in the morning and arrange them. (Keep in cool room).
Day of: Get dressed and ready 2-3 hours before party. Set out last minute details in the morning. I like to have everything set out many hours before party. Food can be set out 20-30 minutes before. I like to have most food items room temperature and just one or two that need to be hot (or cold). Drinks can be set out and ice bought and kept in coolers. Light candles and turn on music 30-45 minutes before guests arrive. Set out drinks and appetizers a full 15-20 minutes before guests arrive so you’re not running around last minute. All food does not have to be done but make sure you have something for your guests to eat and drink and you have your lipstick on at “go” time. Friends love to help so let them help you with last minute food preparation when the time comes.
Go time: You’re calm, cool, and collected when guests arrive because you’re prepared and ready to have a great time. If you’re happy and “chill” that’s how your party will be. Guests feel your vibe and you dictate the feeling of your gathering. If you’re running around like crazy and feeling stressed everyone will feel it. Mingle with your guests, eat, drink, and take it easy because all of the hard work is behind you and you’re ready to party!!
