Party planning – I just love it. Just this year we’ve hosted two baby showers, a Baptism party, and plan to have holiday parties at our house. Every time I put together a party, I get compliments on how “put together” everything seems, which got me to thinking – what exactly makes everything seem, well…seamless? Here’s my go-to checklist when putting together a party:
- Choose a theme: I like to check available themes at sites like Oriental Trading to help me get some ideas. You can also make a list of the likes and dislikes for the guest of honor, if you have one. For both baby showers I hosted this year, I paid very close attention to each mommy’s likes and dislikes. For example, my sister in law loves dainty and delicate floral patterns, dislikes animal prints for babies, and prefers very muted pastels for her new little one on the way. I decided to go with a floral pattern for her party, similar to the ones she was selecting for baby clothing. Check out some of my party theme posts on my Pinterest page.
- Select plates, cups, and napkins. These items set the color palette as well as bring in a layer of texture. You wouldn’t use plates with baby elephants for a teenager’s birthday or fine china for a backyard BBQ. Think of your dinnerware as decor in each guests’ hands. Make sure it all goes along with the theme you selected. Remember: it doesn’t have to match exactly! Coordination is key.
- Select party favors, if necessary. It seems that favors have become more prevalent in smaller functions like showers and birthday parties than ever before. I like to think of party favors similar to the dinnerware. If dinnerware is a version of the party in each guests’ hands, then party favors are the extension of the party brought home with your guests. But a word to the wise – don’t have favors simply because you think you have to. It’s better NOT to have favors than to have something that doesn’t fit the theme or makes you go over-budget.
- Decide on a cake (or if you will have one at all). There are differing opinions on this, but I feel like the cake is the frame to every photo taken at parties. Raise your hand if you have a picture hidden somewhere of you and your birthday cake, big goofy grin on your face? What about wedding photos…I know I have a bunch taken with our cake. Select a cake that makes a statement and reinforces the theme you set out to make. This doesn’t mean it has to be big! My son had a cookie cake this year for his birthday and it was a huge hit (and totally not big)!
- Make sure there is something for your guests to do. Bigger parties, like weddings, have a band or a DJ to give their guests something to enjoy by way of music or dancing. You don’t need to get THAT fancy for a simple party at your home, but guiding the guests into some form of entertainment is a good idea. For a baby shower, you may play games, have a headband making station (if the baby is a girl), or watch the mommy-to-be open her gifts. For a simple dinner party, conversation at the table can be enough entertainment (especially if you’re part of my family LOL).
These four basics help me to hash out a game plan for any event I set out to host. Of course, there are quite a few more details that go into planning a party, but this is the best place to start. Let me know if there is something you think I should add to this list!
Questions about planning a party? Send me an email at jessica.perilloux@gmail.com so we can chat. I’d love to help you out with your ideas (free of charge, of course)!
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