Party planning can be exciting and stressful at the same time, but with a clear goal in mind, you can bring a successful event to life. These steps on how to plan a birthday party will help you stay on track and organized to host an event you will be proud of.
Choose the Date and Time
The first thing you need to do is decide on a date and time. Unfortunately, your date and time may not work for everyone, but as a good host, you can try to be as accommodating as possible to ensure your guests will be able to attend. Hosting a party on the weekend is ideal, considering most people will be free of work unless they have other plans. If your guest list is fairly small and you are planning to book a venue in advance, contacting everyone to make sure the date works for them can help you cross this task off your list.
Pick a Theme
Picking a theme is one of the most exciting parts of planning a birthday party. When you decide on a theme, it streamlines the party planning process and gives the opportunity to create a more cohesive look from beginning to end. It helps you get a head start on what's available in terms of party decorations locally and online. Picking a theme and sticking to it is extremely important to avoid frustrations with being back at square one when you have already purchased all the party decor and decided on the menu.
Set a Budget
Identifying how much you are willing to spend on the event will help set a clear budget so you can estimate the costs for different categories, such as venue, food, drinks, party decor, and entertainment, for example. If you would like to keep your budget on the lower side, host the birthday party at your own place and plan do-it-yourself party ideas to minimize your expenses. Keep the DIY ideas to a minimum to make sure you don't end up overspending on craft supplies.
Create a Guest List
Whether you are planning to invite a large group of people or keeping it small by inviting immediate family and friends only, creating a guest list is essential to help you decide on a location that will comfortably accommodate all your guests. It will also give you an overall idea of how much food and drink you will need to provide.
Choose a Location
It's important to choose a location that fits your budget and can accommodate the type of party and number of people invited. If you are planning an intimate birthday party, you can host your event at your own house, but if it's a large event, then booking a venue that fits your needs is the best choice - favorite restaurants, art studios, tea rooms, park pavilions, and club houses are great venue options to hold a birthday party. Opt for a venue that has indoor and outdoor areas available, in case of inclement weather.
Select and Send Out Invitation
Once you choose your theme, it's time to pick your invitation design. The invitation will help you bring the theme to life through decor, food and other aspects of your event. You can opt for a virtual invitation to cut the costs on printing, but if you prefer the more traditional way, opt for a custom design service that can have your invitations professionally printed for your event. The invitation sets the tone for the celebration, so it's important to include all the necessary details to make sure guests can plan in advance as well. You can send invitations out as early as four weeks before the party to ensure a faster turnaround of RSVPs.
Plan Out the Birthday Party Details
If you enjoy getting creative, coming up with fun ideas for your event will come easily, but if party planning is not your strength, consider asking a friend or family member to give you a hand. The party decor, food, drinks and activities should be a reflection of the themed invitation sent to your guests. Make sure every detail is age-appropriate and suits the chosen theme and concept. Here are essential categories that will require time and effort depending on the size and type of your event.
Party Decorations
From balloon garlands to fresh flower centerpieces, opt for party decorations that best fit the theme and style of your party. If you are purchasing decorations online or giving a few diy ideas a try, make sure you get your decorations ready in advanced.
Food and Drinks
Whether you are planning the food and drink menu on your own or having it catered, make sure you can incorporate a few creative ideas to match the theme to take your menu up a notch. Taking food allergies into consideration while planning your food menu is extremely important to ensure a safe experience for those with dietary restrictions.
Games and Activities
Plan a few outdoor and indoor games and activities to keep the party running smoothly. Create a list of tools and supplies necessary to make sure you have everything on hand before execution. There are a lot of printable games and activities available online that require little to no preparation. They add extra fun by keeping guests engaged throughout the party no matter the age.
Party Favors
You don't necessarily need to provide party favors, but if it's a kids' birthday party, the guests will appreciate the gesture. Keep it stress-free by opting for themed decorated cookies supplied by a vendor or goodie bags every kid loves, such as bubbles, pencils, play dough, and temporary tattoos.
Create a Checklist
Planning and hosting a birthday party from beginning to end is not an easy task. Creating a checklist will keep yourself organized and ensure all tasks are completed before guests start to arrive.
Checklist for the Day of the Party
Here's a helpful list of tasks for the day of the party.
- Arrive at location early to make sure rooms, tables and chairs are clean and organized.
- Call vendors and entertainment company to confirm location and time.
- The room is fully decorated.
- There's a table for birthday gifts.
- Food, dessert and drink stations are set up.
- There are party favors for all guests.
- There are place cards for the tables.
- Games and activities are set up.
- Cleaning supplies and First Aid Kit are readily available.
Delegate Tasks
Delegate a few tasks to other family members so you have the opportunity to welcome your guests and express how much you appreciate having them at your event. It's time to relax and enjoy the party you worked tirelessly to bring to life.
Send Thank You Notes
It's proper to send a thank you note to your guests after the party to thank them for making the effort to attend your event. If you received a special gift, personalize your note commenting on how grateful you are for your thoughtful gesture.
You Did It!
Keep in mind not everything can go as planned. Be proud of yourself for taking on the challenges of planning, coordinating, and executing a birthday party on your own from beginning to end. You are a super star!
