The Simplest Steps Ever to an Amazing Party ...

One of the most important steps to an amazing party is to set a budget. This is more for yourself than your guests - you don’t want to be paying for this party for months. You should be happy about your amazing party instead of regretful! Keep your budget realistic, and watch your budget closely so spending doesn’t get out of control. Determine how much you’ll spend on all aspects of your party, such as food, drink, location, etc., and stick with it.

Decide what kind of party you’re going to throw. Will it be a formal sit-down dinner party or a casual backyard barbecue? Is it a children’s’ party, a party for a certain holiday, or is it someone’s birthday? The event or type of party will help you determine a theme. For example if it’s a children’s party, maybe pirates or a currently popular movie can be the theme. Themes will help you decide what items are important to purchase or how you should decorate. Don’t be afraid to be creative.

Music can make or break the atmosphere you are trying to create, so choose music that is suitable to the age of the guests and the time of day when the party is taking place. Fit the music to the event, and keep it consistent. Create a playlist or have your music set aside and ready for your party. You might have some jazz-inspired holiday music for a Christmas party, or soundtracks from kids movies for a children’s party. Traditional music might be more appropriate for a wedding party, and 80’s pop might be great for a reunion party. You can’t please everyone, so pick a musical theme and stick to it.

The time, date, and location of a party will determine who can attend. If it’s a children’s’ party, don’t make it too late and take care that it doesn’t clash with sporting and recreational events (unless, of course, your party is centered around a sporting event). If it’s too far away, many people simply won’t want to go very far for a couple of hours of fun. If the party is occurring on a Friday night, many people will have put in a full day’s work before arriving and may leave early because they are tired.

No party would be complete without some great food. Be sure the food and presentation is appropriate for the type of party you are throwing. Informal parties may be pot luck with hamburgers, for example, or the menu may be tightly planned and have several courses, depending on the occasion. Check with guests to see if there are any special menu items needed.

Alcoholic drinks, if provided at all, should be provided in moderation. There’s no need to risk having your party end terribly because someone got tipsy or got into an accident after they left. If it’s a big crowd, consider hiring a bartender or two, because they are trained to stop serving when someone is visibly intoxicated. For bigger parties, like the company Christmas party, consider offering only the first couple of drinks for free. If alcohol is served be sure the numbers for cab companies is handy.

Whether as informal as a party app on your phone or as formal as embossed invites sent out through the mail, you can’t get an idea of how many people will be at your party unless you send invites. It’s important to know how much food and drink is needed, and if you have enough space for the people who want to come. Try to send invitations at least 3 weeks ahead of time, and request an RSVP by a certain date. Remember, there will always be those who didn’t RSVP who will show up, and those that said they were coming that won’t.

If you’re throwing a party this festive season, have you followed all these steps? What else are you doing to make your party the event of the year?