Plan the Best-Ever Birthday Party
The beginning of Fall ushers in a handful of birthday celebrations in our home, and we love playing host. How about you? Do you dread it or do you enjoy it? If you’ve got an upcoming party to plan, we are here to talk about how to make your event TOP NOTCH from the planning phase to the day of the party.
Of course, we can’t talk about a celebration without referencing our Events +Page*. This page is the ultimate way to streamline event planning. Whether you are a veteran party planner or a first-time hostess, this spread has everything you need. The Events page takes you through each element you’ll want to consider as you plan your party, such as the menu, a guest list, decor and a shopping checklist. Simply fill out the page, and check off those boxes. Voila! You have yourself a party. I always add at least 4 of these to my planner each year, knowing I will be organizing a party for each member of my family.
*Bonus! If you are a perfectionist or a procrastinator, this road map will take the stress out of party planning for you.
Now, let’s take a deeper dive! Here are a few top tips to consider as you plan your party:
LOCATION
In a recent party we hosted, we thought we had picked a home run location for the large group we were expecting. A gorgeous, spacious backyard with lovely seating and landscaping. Fun games for the adults and a play area and splash pad for the kids. The only problem was the time of day we chose. Our Saturday afternoon party ended up indoors because the sun was high and hot! The shade we’d counted on didn’t arrive until about 2 hours after the party began. As you plan your party location, be sure to think through:
Time of Day
Temperature
Forecast
Space in Relation to Guests
Seating
Age Range of Guests
Entertainment/Activity Needs
MENU
Some birthday parties are ALL about the food. Others, it’s more about a shared social experience. Here are a few things to consider when mapping out your menu:
Child’s birthday party? Keep it SIMPLE. It’s not time to impress. If there is cake and pizza, chances are, your child and her guests will be thrilled.
Like to cook, but not used to a crowd? Two options:
Divide and conquer! Make one or two star dishes, and delegate the other parts of the menu to close friends/family who will be attending your party.
Get catering! And take a deep exhale.
Party for a foodie? If it’s time to pull out all the stops when it comes to the menu, consider simple decor and a more exclusive guest list. This will allow you to focus your time and resources on the cuisine! Be sure you’re using tried and true recipes OR test the recipes ahead of time. Make what you can in advance!
Tell your guests what to expect. If you’ll be providing dinner, a light brunch, or just drinks, it’s a nice gesture to include that in the invitation, text or call.
Too much food is better than not enough. Especially if it’s a menu item you can send home with your guests (or put in the fridge) to eat leftover!
DECOR
Decor was never my personal forte, but I have learned to rely on a few easy (and lovely!) staples that work for any party:
Fresh Flowers are such a great touch! Add them to one or two key locations in your party setup for an elegant, organic feel.
Balloons transform a gathering into a celebration. You can be elaborate and order a balloon arch that matches your color scheme, or tie a humble bunch to the birthday boy’s chair.
Reusable Birthday Banners are a go-to in my household! About 6 years ago, we purchased a quality, neutral ‘happy birthday’ banner that we pull out at least 4 times a year. Simple, celebratory and cost-effective.
A Classy Cake counts as decor in my book. When doing a themed party for a child, I like to pick a cake topper that can be cleaned off and double as a nice toy (princess crowns, animal figurines, cars, etc.). Flowers, fruit, chocolate shavings, crystal sprinkles, or toothpick-style paper toppers are also an excellent way to finish off a simply frosted cake. If you don’t bake, your local bakery can certainly whip up a beautiful cake for you.
GUESTS
Depending on your menu and entertainment plans, you may want to keep a close eye on your guest RSVPs. Collect and tally your final numbers before you go shopping, and in enough time to notify your venue/caterer if applicable. If you’re celebrating on a budget, get a rough estimate of cost per guest before sending out invitations.
On the day of the party, don’t sweat the small (or even big) stuff. It’s time to focus on people and make memories! Smile. Connect with each guest and thank them for coming. Teach your children to do the same!
We hope this post helps to inspire a fabulous, stress-free celebration next time you play hostess.
Happy Party Planning, Golden Coil Friends!