Next month it's my birthday and now, while I'm on Easter Holidays (or, as you may also call, Spring Break) I decided to start thinking about it and plan ahead so I don't get overwhelmed later.
1. Set a date and a time for your party
This is the essential of the whole thing. Weekends are usually the best to celebrate anything because no one is tired and you can go all night and only rest on the day after! Depending on what you want to do, you need to set a time. This year I've been attending a lot of dinner parties that continue on a night out... Another idea that I think its awesome is a sunset party!
2. Pick a Place
Where is your party taking place? If you want to make it in your home, I would suggest a garden party (if the weather allows it). Place alot of pillows and garden swings outside and bring the radio or the sound system and have fun! Restaurants are a great idea if you don't want to spend a lot of money and don't want to have to clean everything after the party. Most restaurants, when it comes to a big group, have specific rooms where you and your friends can talk and have fun without disturbing the other clients.
3. Decide on a Theme
Theme Parties are the ones your guests will remember forever! Try a 50's party and ask your friends to dress like it, or a Hollywood party and you can decorate with lights and even have a photo booth related! You can also use vintage decorate and ask your girl friends to bring flower crowns... There are endless possibilities.
4. Make a Guest List
Firtly, you need to know the maximum that you can invite. Sometimes this can be an issue depending where you are having your party. The restaurants and the venues usually have a limit of people so you need to keep that in mind. I advice you to invite every close friend even if you know that they might not be free. The only standard that I use while making my Guest List is invite only who you like. It's your party. You want to celebrate and be happy, there's no need to impress people you don't like that can even ruin the mood at the party. (I've learnt my lesson after a ridiculous episode on my friend's party...)
-Food: If you decided to make a reservation on a restaurant, great, but if you are going to throw your party at home, I suggest you make a list of the food you need to buy. Settle for 'cheap' appetizers as chips and microwave popcorn, a cake (obviously) and maybe a few sandwiches or candy. We don't want your guests to be hungry but there are a lot of options that aren't expensive.
-Decorations: This is, personally, my favourite part. This year, I totally want to buy to silver helium balloons with my age. With those, pink balloons are a great combination and these are extremely cheap. Another option is big white\transparent balloons in which you can put confetti and then blow them. The final result is awesome.
6. Send the Invitations
Send a text message or create an event on facebook. You need to inform your guests where and when is the party taking place. Don't forget to give indications to the place in case they don't know where it is. Even so, talk to each of them personally to make sure there are no doubts left! I would advice you to start doing this with, perhaps, two weeks of advance to make sure your guests don't plan other things and to leave you with enough time to make reservations if needed.
7. Plan the entertaiment
If it is a large group I wouldn't be so worry because people will use the time to talk to everyone and get to know each other. Maybe some background music would be nice to set up the mood. However, if it is a small group and if the party is going to be at your house, you should plan some party games ( Party & CO., Uno, Water Balloon Fight, Wii Games etc), set a playlist or even have a Piñata! If you are throwing a Theme Party, try to find related games.
8. Check
Now it's time for you to check everything and make sure nothing is missing. You might want to check if everything is clean and arrange the furniture so that's plenty of room for games and dancing. Make room in the closet for your guests coats and purses.
9. Enjoy!
Once the big day arrives have fun! You deserve it :)
