The thought of planning and hosting your own party or event can be exciting, but if you don't know how to get started it can become overwhelming. However, if you have the right tools and a little know-how, you can plan the party of your dreams.
What Kind Of Event Are You Hosting?
Your first order of business should be deciding what kind of event you want to host. This can be anything from a simple movie night to a fancy dinner party. Remember, the more complex the event, the more work you have to do.
Event Ideas:
Movie Night
Birthday Party
Dinner Party
Viewing Party
Graduation Party
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Choose A Theme
Every party has some kind of theme, whether it be where it will be held, the time of year, or the reason you are having the party in the first place. This theme will serve as the basis of your event, as it will help you determine the location, the menu, and what kind of activities you will have.
For example, when I graduated high school, my graduation party theme was succulents, so the color scheme was pink and green. I picked out tablecloths that featured various succulents and cacti. I even made cupcakes with chocolate cacti and flowers on top.
Now, your planning and decorations don't have to be this grand, but you should try to keep with a theme so that you have a focus.
Set A Budget
It's important, no matter the event, to have a set budget so you know how much money you have to spend. Check prices on everything you think you will need, including small things like plates and cups and larger things like building rentals, (if needed).
Once you know about how much you have to spend, you can start buying whatever you need for your event. Remember to always compare prices so that you know that you're getting the best deal.
Decide Where The Party Will Take Place
The location of an event can determine whether or not you and your guests have a great time. If it's going to be a relatively small gathering, you can host it at your home, but if you are planning on having a large party, you may want to consider finding another place to hold it.
If you decide to host your party at your home, you will most likely have to do more work both before and after to make sure things are clean. You will also need to make sure that you trust the people who you invite into your house.
If you decide to hold your event somewhere besides your home, it may be expensive depending on the location. Parks make a great location if you don't have much money to spend, as many public parks already have shelters and tables, plus being in the park is free.
Set A Date
Once you have a general idea for your party, choose the date it will take place. This should be a day that you can devote entirely to your party and that most people can attend. This doesn't mean you have to meticulously check everyone's schedules either, just pick a day that most people are generally able to attend.
Make An Invitation List
After you decide the basics of your party, start making a guest list. You can invite as many or as few as you want, but remember that generally only half the people you invite will be able to attend.
Once you have your list, send out invitations. When it comes to picking your invitations, there are so many options to choose from. Personally, I prefer to send out paper invitations, but I've also seen people create Facebook groups in-leiu of traditional invitations for their event.
Depending on the size of your event, you will want to send out invitations two to six weeks before so that everyone has a chance to make room on their calendars.
Make A Menu
The menu is one of the most important parts of any event, as guests always come hungry and almost always remember the food afterwards.
First you need to decide how the food will be served. Will you be doing a sit-down meal where the food is served to your guests, a buffet, or maybe just trays of finger foods passed around throughout the event?
Next, you need to decide if you will be making the food or if you will have someone else making it for you. If you have a smaller budget, it will be more cost effective to make all the food yourself.
After you decide this, you can start planning out what kind of food you will be serving. Try out those recipes you've been saving on Pinterest for so long. Let your imagination run wild.
Things like cake are party staples, but you can mix it up by making cheesecake or cake pops, instead. Another great idea is chips and dip. You will probably want a plain chip,(plain potato, tortilla, or pita chips work great). However, when it comes to finding a dip, you can go a little wild with options like spinach and artichoke, ranch dip, Touchdown Taco Dip, hummus, or Pico de gallo.
If you want to have a whole meal, options like Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chili, Taco Soup, Chicken Alfredo, and Tacos are all great because they are filling and fairly cheap.
Remember to try any new recipes before the event so that you know what to expect.
Will There Be Activities?
Depending on what kind of event you're having, it's a good idea to come up with some activities or entertainment for your guests to enjoy.
So, for example, if you are hosting a movie night, the entertainment will obviously be movies. However, you can make it even more fun by doing things like doing movie trivia or having everyone write down their favorite movie, mixing them up in a hat, and trying to match the movie to the person.
You could also do things like a video scavenger hunt, a t-shirt decorating contest, or even just have a board game marathon.
Making The Playlist
Music sets the tone for the event and adds ambiance to your day (or night). Try to pick songs that fit the tone of the event and that aren't too distracting, so that it serves as more of a background.
If you have the budget for it, you could also hire a musician to play the music for you. Or if you know someone who plays, ask them if they would be willing to provide the music.
How To Be A Good Host or Hostess
As the host or hostess, it's your job to make sure that the party runs as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips for being
1. Talk to All Your Guests
Don't just hang out with one group of people during your party. Instead, make time to talk to everyone and let them know that you appreciate them and the fact that they came.
2. Be Courteous
Remember to be kind and gracious to all of your guests, as this makes them feel welcome. Don't let your temper get out of control even if something goes wrong. Try to remain calm and find a way to work it out.
3. Remember To Thank Your Guests For Coming
As your guests leave, remember to tell them thank you for coming and let them know that you appreciate them. If you want to go the extra step, you can even send out thank you cards afterwards.
Remember, even if you're the host, this party is just as much for you as it is for your guests. And don't forget, the whole point of a party is to have fun and purge your stress.
