Party Planning Ideas
Here are some great party planning ideas that you can use for your next party or event. Party planning is effortless when you use party basics.
All you have to do is follow the key elements of party basics and your party will be a success every time.
Let's get started!
There are many reasons why people have parties:
* To Celebrate Someone * To Celebrate a Holiday
* To Socialize and Have Fun* To Celebrate a New Arrival
* To Celebrate a New Life Together
* To Celebrate a New Home
And the list goes on and on.....
Whatever the reason; there are a few things you will need to decide right away.
* Reason for the party* Date, time and place
* Guest list
Once the above is decided then let the planning begin! There are seven key elements to planning a party.
*Please note that the seven key elements for my party planning ideas page has nothing to do with the Party Basics Book shown above.
Picking a theme
The first element is picking the theme. A theme is a concept that links each element of the party together from the invitations to the party favors.
Here are some creative party theme ideas for your next get together.
* Beach Picnic * Las Vegas Casino *
Garden
* Princess * Afternoon Tea * Tropical Luau * Mardi Gras * Oscar *
Under The Tuscan Sun* Western * Spa * Wine Tasting Party *
Harry Potter * Amazing Race * Fear Factor * Carnival * Jungle *
Survivor * Chocolate Fantasy
Invitations
When you have decided on a theme,then your next party planning step is to think about how you will have all the elements of the party reflect that concept. The second element is the invitation and it is also the first hint to your guests of the theme. The internet offers alot of great sites with theme party invitations.
Whatever your theme concept you will find an invite to go along with it. Check out the
invitation page
for a great selection of theme party invitations and more party planning ideas.
Theme Menu and Signature Drinks
The third party basics element is the menu and the drinks. Let me share my favorite party planning ideas and my
favorite casual way of entertaining with you. I love food and drink stations because the food and drinks are made
a head of time and ready for your guests when they arrive and this is also one of my favorite party planning ideas.
If you are not a cook then consider getting already made appetizers that just need to be popped in the oven right before
your guests are expected to arrive. This type of entertaining gives you the most time with your guests.
Food and cocktail stations or station depending on the size of your party are set up around the party area so
guests can serve themselves while mingling with the other guests. Your signature drink for your party can be made ahead
of time and put in pitchers for your guests. On the cocktail station set out enough glasses for your guests, a galvanized
tub full of assorted soda and beer and either bottled water or pitchers of water with lemon.
Music and/or Entertainment
The fourth element is background
music
. Match the music with the theme. Make sure if you're going to hire entertainment that you book it well in advance of your party.
Decorating
The fifth party basics element is decorating. When decorating for your theme keep decorations simple and elegant.
No matter what your theme is for your party you could keep the decorations simply to the food and cocktail "stations".
Even the platters or dishes you use can be part of your theme. With kid’s theme parties you can keep the decorations simple
just by adding theme decorations to the party table and surrounding party area. Balloon bouquets are easy and inexpensive for
theme parties. I have seen hosts go broke buying bags and bags full of theme decorations don’t be one of those hosts!
I would much rather see you spend the money on the food and drinks you will be serving your guests. You really can get
the atmosphere of your theme with just a few theme decorations. Check out my party plans to see how I bring the theme into
my decorating and all of the other party planning ideas I have to offer.
Games and/or Activities
The sixth element is games and activities and you will also want to match your theme concept. I love
Murder Mystery Games and
Improv games.
and host-parties.com has many themes for kid, teen and adult parties. If mystery or improv parties are not for you then search the internet for your party theme to find games and activities for your party. You could also check out my party plans for more party games and party planning ideas.
Party Favors
And the seventh and last party basics element is party favors for your guests. You will want to send your guests home with something
to remind them of your party. The favor does not have to be expensive but it should match your theme concept.
Here is a cute example of a gift to send home with your guests after an Oscar party!As your "Night at the Oscar's" party comes to an end, surprise your guests with personalized M&M gift bags. They will remind them of the wonderful time they had at your party. Customize red and gold M&M's with "red carpet" printed on the red and "oscar night" or "oscar" printed on the gold. Wrap them up in a gift bag with a black, red or gold ribbon. Your guests will love their own gift bags to take home after the show.
As you can see throwing a theme party does not have to be difficult. With party basics it makes it easy to put together a party for 10-100 people effortless. Thank you for letting me show you how easy it is to entertain at home. If you are still looking for more ideas to throw the perfect party check out my entertaining reads page which will give you more
party planning ideas.
Remember party planning does not have to be hard if you have the seven elements of party basics right at your fingertips. I hope you enjoyed these party planning ideas and can use them for your next celebration.
