5 simple tricks for when party planning isn’t your thing!
Entertaining is something I've always loved! I enjoy going to parties too, but something about being the host makes me so happy, but I know that not everyone feels this way. For some people, entertaining is dreadful and they would much rather just order pizza and be done with it, and that's okay too! However, on the occasion you find yourself wanting to host a little gathering, I am here to help. Today I am going to be sharing with you some of the best tips I've learned to throw any size party! So here goes:
1. Have a Plan
Hosting a party does not need to be a daunting task, especially if it's more just a gathering of friends rather than a big celebration. But either way, you need to have a plan. Figure out if it'll be the type of party where everyone brings something or if you're going to be doing the cooking. Will you need tables or is your back patio okay? How many people do you think will be coming, will there be kids? It's important to think these things through before getting into the details because this will determine how much of everything you'll need to buy and how you will set up! One of my favorite things to to if I am going to be hosting a party is sit down with some coffee and a notebook and write down everything I think I might need to consider for the party. This will make the actual party prep sooo much simpler!
2. Set a Budget
I’ll be honest this is not something I do for smaller parties becasue normally I am not spending a ton of money on those. But when it comes to things like birthday parties or holiday soirees a budget is super important. Parties like this can get out of hand quickly once you factor in food, beverages, decorations, and potentially a venue and catering. Setting a budget will make things run smoother and it will help with decision making throughout the planning process. Depending on the size of the event, breaking the budget down into sections will be helpful. For example if the event features different parts much like a wedding would, break the budget down into pre-event, ceremony, reception, post-event so you have a better idea of what you can spend on each part. Have an overall number in mind, and then choose how much you'll want to spend on different aspects. Once again this is going to help make the planning much simpler becasue you can eliminate so many option based on budget and then choose from their how you’ll proceed.
3. Create a Vibe
A lot of people think that themed parties are immature, and to a degree I agree with that. I don't think that you need to have a theme for every party, your kid's birthday is very different from a dinner party, and that should be taken into account. But what I do feel is very important to a successful party is setting the right vibe. If you're hosting a dinner party then maybe don't play loud rock music, and if you're hosting a 5 year old's birthday, then make sure it doesn't feel like a black tie affair. Those are extremes but you get my point! You want to have the right vibe for the people you are hosting, it will make the entire event more enjoyable for everyone and will make planning much simpler! One thing I like to do to make this simpler is think look at my plan from step one, see who will be attending the party and then design everything around them. From invites, to the music, to the type of food i’ll be serving; all of it will contribute to a specific vibe that I am going for!
4. Keep it Simple
A lot of times people feel compelled to throw big, elaborate, instagram worthy parties and that is totally fine! But if entertaining isn't really your thing, the last thing you'll want to do is add more pressure on yourself. So with that being said, keep things simple! If you're not a great cook, don't feel like you need to slave in the kitchen all day, there is nothing wrong with ordering food from your favorite restaurant and putting yourself in charge of drinks. If you're not super artsy, don't feel like you have to make party favors for your kid's friends ~ hello Amazon! Personally, I seriously hate sending out party invitations. I find creating them to be kind of fun, but the whole process is a lot of work for something that usually ends up in the trash. Even though I feel there is something classy and special about receiving a personal invitation, I just don’t enjoy it, so instead I turn to resources like Shutterfly so the invites become less of a hassle! Point is, throwing a party should not feel like a ton of work, and if there are parts of it that stress you out, then ask for help, there is no shame! Honestly, if you really aren't a good baker, people will be happy you ordered a cake instead of having them eat something funky!
5. Remember to Enjoy It!
Hosting a party can be a lot of work, but at the end of the day . . . it's a party! If you, as the host, are not having fun everyone who is there will feel uncomfortable too. Of course there are hiccups here and there, but if you do the appropriate prep work, the day of the party should just be about having a fun time with friends, becasue that's why you have a party to begin with!
There is a lot that goes into party planning, and if you really don't enjoy it then it can feel like a nightmare. I hope that these few tips will help make the process simpler, or at least help you figure out where to start. I can honestly say, that if I don't follow these rules, events become daunting pretty fast. Hopefully this takes some of the pressure off for you so your next party you can sit back and enjoy!
