Party Planning Blog by Announce It!

This timeline is designed to keep you on track while planning a birthday party. This way nothing is forgotten, everything gets accomplished, and there is no last minute running around. This is as stress-free as it gets. Now if only cleaning up after the party was so easy….

6 to 8 weeks before the big day!

• Choose the date and time of the party.
• Check with all important guests that they have the date available.
• Create the guest list.
• Book the location of the party and make a deposit or hire any entertainers for a party at home.
• Choose the theme of the party and start thinking of cute ways to incorporate this theme.
• If you are ordering anything personalized, such as invitations, banners, or napkins, then place the order now so that everything arrives in time for the party.

4 to 6 weeks before the festivities!

• Address the invitations and mail out. Specify an RSVP date.
• Start shopping for your party supplies and favors. Try to stick with the theme!
• It is a good idea to keep the guest list handy to record responses when people call.

2 to 4 weeks before the celebration!

• Plan all activities including crafts, games, and other entertainment.
• Purchase all necessary supplies for all activities.
• Create a few CD’s for background music during the party.
• Decide on the menu. This should be based on the time of day the party will be held.
• Place an order for any catering and/or birthday cake.

The week before!

• Start cleaning your house now. Nobody likes to rush around at the last minute!
• Call any guests that have not yet responded.
• Test out all activities with your child to make sure they are doable and fun!

The day before the big party!

• Confirm any entertainers, caterer, and birthday cake.
• Prepare any food that can be made ahead of time.
• Put together goodie bags for the kids.
• Set up any of the activities that will be out of the way until the next day.
• Charge camera and video camera batteries.
• Finish up last minute cleaning.

The day of the party!

• Finish setting up all possible activities.
• Pick up the birthday cake.
• Purchase balloons and hang some on the mailbox for guests to see.
• Hang decorations and set out plates, napkins, cups, and silverware for food.
• Prepare a spot for gifts.
• Place the candles and matches near the cake and paper and pen near the gifts.
• Make sure your birthday boy or girl is all ready as well as any siblings.
• Set up the food.

Lastly, have a great time!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 at 3:25 pm and is filed under Birthday Parties. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.