It’s soon going to be Lucas’ birthday, I can’t believe it has been nearly a year since his first birthday and Christening. It’s also D’s 40th and my brothers 30th next year so we have lots to plan.
- Make an invitation list
- Keep everything party related in one place
- Decide on a budget
- Decide on a theme, fancy dress, formal, consider the time of the year, the occasion etc
- Look at where you can hold it if you are not having it at home. VenueFinder is a database of over 15,000 UK and international venues. Their comprehensive search options seriously takes away the hassle. You can search by location, rooms, maximum capacities, rates and much more. Most importantly it is free to use.
- Decide on a menu and ask people on invitations to state if they have any special requirements eg. Vegetarian, nut allergy, gluten free etc
- If it is an adults party with children being invited, consider having a children’s area. Set up a table with snacks, drinks, colouring pencils, paper and puzzles.
- Decide on a playlist and any activities you may want at the party
- Enlist any extra help you may need (caterers, decorations, entertainers etc). You can also find these in VenueFinder’s suppliers search.
- Send invitations once you have decided on date, time and venue. Make sure your writing is clear, it’s no good putting on your email address if it isn’t legible for someone to reply. Create the invitations yourself to save a bit of money. Make sure to check out Creative Fabrica, a platform that offers completely free premium fonts and designs, which you can use to elevate your invitation!
- Delegate with family and friends, don’t put too much pressure on yourself
- Relax and enjoy the party, if you have forgotten anything it is too late to do anything about it now and I’m sure no one else will notice. Treasure the time with your friends and family.
Some great tips here. Planning a party can be hard work x
What a fabulous list for anybody planning a part, i will most definitely be using some of these for any future parties that I will be planning for my own children or family x
Planning well before your party or event and taking care of all of the details will allow you to just relax and enjoy yourself during the party. You’ve shared really great ideas of everything to take care of ahead of time in order to do this.
We have a few big celebrations this year too, so thanks for sharing x
That seems a very comprehensive list. I think checking dietary requirements is so important and also being clear if you’re just providing nibbles or enough food for a meal. I hate it when I get invited and think I will be fed and there’s only nibbles or I’ve eaten and then they have mountains of food that I feel obliged to eat.
Some fab tips – it makes me want to organise a party! Never knew about Venue Finder, it sounds like such a great tool 🙂 x
These are awesome tips! Planning a party can feel like a full-time job!
Venuefinder are fantastic, I love how they have an idea for any type of party you would like to host xx
I’ve always been so disorganised when it comes to planning parties… Actually, I think most of my friends and family have come to learn not to trust me with planning. This is helpful, and maybe I’ll be able to organise someones party soon, (bonus if I do a good job!)
I think your most important tip is to just relax and enjoy it. People have come to spend time with you and they won’t care about the small stuff so don’t let it stress you out.
Great tips. There can be so much to do when planning a party depending on how much you want to do. I’ve planned a fair few over the years.
Planning a party entails a lot of energy and of course the budget is the very first thing to consider! haha
I definitely think having a kids area is a great idea, especially if there’s a lot of adults about at the party x
Lots of great tips here! Deciding on a budget is so important, as it’s so easy to overspend.
I’m planning my sons 5th birthday party I had found a place booked it went to pay today and was told they don’t take card payments, meaning I would have to pay £200 in cash I told them to cancel my booking and that I’d go elsewhere. I’m not thinking of holding it at home x
I can’t believe they don’t take card payments, it’s 2017!x
My son’s first birthday is coming up soon so this is good timing, I definitely plan on delegating tasks. Jo x
My kids have only had a few party’s, they have them every few years, as I can’t afford 3 parties a year. But My youngest is having one this year for his 7th
Great tips, could have used this when at the last minute my gran decided she wanted a party for her 80th a few years ago! x
I think putting together a playlist is a really good idea to make sure the music is what you want to listen to! xxx
This is absolutely an awesome tips! I really love this and so glad that you share this, I always have a hard time for planning a party.
I find party planning so stressful, I think this year we’re going to do something a little different as a family, rather than a party.
Oh my gosh I love party planning. My only problem is setting a budget – I always like to go hard or go home, but then I realise I don’t have enough to pull off the event I want to, haha! Oh well, a girl can dream!