Who doesn't love a birthday party? You're
showered with gifts, filled with cake and ice cream, and surrounded by
your loving friends and family. However, when it comes to birthday
parties, getting there is half the battle. A good party requires
creativity, thoughtfulness and energy. Attaining the perfect blend of
all of these things can't be done unless you set aside adequate time to
plan. As you start the planning process, remember that it is very easy
to get caught up in the theatricality of a party, and completely forgot
the goal: to celebrate. Keep it simple by following these tips.
Compile a Guest List
The guest list will determine the rest of your party planning. You need to figure out how many people will be attending, and what kind of vibe you're going for. If it's just close friends, you can plan a much more comfortable and intimate gathering. If lots of coworkers and acquaintances will be in attendance, you'll want to plan games that include a lot of interaction.Create a Menu
Now that you know how many people will be attending, you can start to plan your food arrangements. This is definitely one of the perks of party planning because you get to incorporate your favorites! Go with foods that you know everyone will enjoy, and remember to include something for everyone. Decide whether or not you want to have a full meal, or snack on hors d'oeuvres. Items that are affordable and easy to prepare are best:- Cheese plates
- Salads
- Finger sandwiches
- Chips
- Pizza
- Cookies
Plan Your Birthday Beverages
Make sure you have an abundance of beverages and refreshments for your guests. Juice, sodas and water are obvious choices, but you might also want to think about special drinks that suit your party's theme. Here are some specialty drink ideas:- Homemade punch
- Lemonade mixes
- Pina coladas
- Milk shakes
Sending Out Invitations
Invitations can be as easy as you'd like them to be. If you're a traditional party planner, you can opt for some store-bought invitations to send in the mail. These can be fun or formal, and can set the tone for the celebration to come. If you'd like to modernize and expedite this process, you can take one of these routes:- Email invites
- Social media invites
- Print-out, mail-from-home invites
Bring Out the Party Favors
Whether it's a kid party, or a grown-up birthday part, goodie bags are always a good idea. You obviously want to match the party's theme, and you'll want to create party favors that all your guests will enjoy. Here are some goodies that are always a hit:- Candy
- Party poppers
- Sparklers
- Whistles
- Key chains
- Bagged treats like cookies or popcorn
- Novelty items
Have Fun Decorating
Decorating can be as quick and easy as you'd like it to be. Hit up your local party store for decorations. You can stick with the traditional streamers and party banners, or you can offer your own unique take on decorating. If you're finding it hard to settle on the type of decorations you want, this could be the right time to incorporate a theme into your party. Some common party themes include:- Pool party
- Tropical celebration
- Murder mystery party
- Era parties (50s, 60s, 70s, etc...)
- Costume party
Plan the Entertainment
Compile some party playlists that include some of the birthday boy or girl's favorite tunes. Once you've got this squared away, figure out what kind of additional entertainment you want to have at your party. Here are some easy games you can play:- Charades
- Pictionary
- Assorted board games
- Trivia
Planning a party is as fun and as hands-on as you want it to be. But don't let yourself get so caught up that you forget to enjoy the actual celebration. Remember how easy it is to go overboard, and fall victim to the "over-planned" party. It's better to have a few fun and entertaining elements that go off without a hitch.