One Month To Party:
□ Generate a Budget
□ Choose a Theme
□ Create a Guest List – If it’s an event in honour of someone else, get an address book from that person or from his or her friends and family.
□ Select a Menu – Are you having a sit-down dinner or buffet? Hors d’oeuvres or snack foods? Will you be making the food yourself or hiring a caterer? Are there specific foods you’re going to serve? If you have a theme, try to make the food fit that theme.
□ Consider decorations
□ Send out invitations if RSVP is needed
Two Weeks to Party:
□ Send out invitations if no RSVP needed
□ Take Inventory of party supplies
□ tableware
□ cutlery
□ linens
□ tables
□ chairs
□ decorations
□ party favors
□ Book Entertainment, Catering and Party Rentals – Most places are able to assist you, but the more time that is given to them the better. This ensures that you will get your first choices.
□ Place Special Orders if needed
□ the cake
□ floral arrangements
□ specialty foods
□ decorations
□ Shop for Non-Perishables – Anything including food that won’t spoil by the party date
□ napkins
□ beverages
□ decorations
□ costumes
□ supplies for games or activities
□ new outfit for the host
One Week to Party:
□ Finalize with caterers, hired entertainment or party rentals.
□ Call any RSVPs who haven’t responded.
□ Review Party Plan and consider the logistics of party
□ schedule of events including games and other activities
□ seating arrangements
□ food prep and serving areas
□ place for shoes and coats
□ Grocery and Last Minute Shopping – Even if you’re having the event catered, it’s always better to have some essentials such as milk, eggs, butter, bread and snacks available just in case. Also grab some last-minute items as they come up and stock up on toilet paper!
□ Decide on Music
Day Before Party:
□ Clean where guests will see especially the bathroom!
□ Decorate – Do as much as possible the day before the party, even if that means ducking under streamers for the evening. It will be one less thing to do on the actual party date.
□ Solicit help from friends or family
□ Pre-Party Food Prep – Place bottles of pop and water in the refrigerator so they will be nice and cool for your guests when they arrive. Also cook or bake any foods that can be left out or refrigerated overnight or create mixtures for easy use on the day of.
Party Day:
□ Pick up helium balloons and cake (if ordered)
□ Finish food prep – Have a list ready of all the items being served and prepare them in order of what doesn’t need to be served hot to food that does.
□ Set the table
□ Organize Chairs and Tables.
□ Note Delivery Schedule for all rentals or catering
□ Get Serving Dishes and Snacks Ready
□ Have any props for games or crafts ready
□ Have FUN and relax!
Photo credit © Poznyakov | Dreamstime.com
