Party Planning Blog by Announce It!

There is a lot more to bridal shower etiquette than making sure to say thank you to guests that bring gifts, although this is definitely imperative. Bridal shower etiquette should be considered by the bride-to-be, the hostess, and even the guests.

Most bridal showers include food and drinks and sometimes even liquor. Obviously, it is important to ensure that nobody has too much to drink. We all know that nerves run high for the bride, the bridal party, and both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom. It can be easy to over imbibe and start acting unlike ourselves!

Every guest at the bridal shower should bring a gift, whether it is from the bridal registry, a monetary gift, a sentimental gift, or something entirely unique and different. The purpose is to help celebrate the bride but to also help her set up her new home with her husband. If money is an issue, then there is no shame in giving a card only. However, bringing nothing at all is poor bridal shower etiquette.

It is proper bridal shower etiquette for the bride-to-be to give the hostess of the bridal shower a thank you gift. The hostess gift can be anything that the hostess might enjoy such as flowers, wine, candles, or spa gift certificates.

The bride will spend a good amount of time sitting in front of all her guests and opening her gifts. It is important that she reads the card and loudly says whom the gift is from and then shows the gift to everyone. Then, she thanks each guest. It is important that the bride has someone writing down the gifts she receives and who each gift is from. This is so that she can also send thank you notes. Yes, it is proper bridal shower etiquette to send thank you notes even when a verbal thank you is given.

Have you been to a bridal shower lately? Are you planning a bridal shower? Do you have any etiquette rules to add to our list? Share your views on bridal shower etiquette.

A milestone birthday is any birthday of significance, whether it is 16, 21, 25 or any number ending in a zero. The most important consideration is the milestone age. A 16 year old will not want the same birthday party as someone turning 80! It is also a good idea to make sure that the birthday boy or girl wants a party. Are they accepting this new age gracefully?

A milestone birthday is a time to celebrate. As we age, each birthday becomes seemingly less important. Nothing can rival our birthdays as children. We may not have a party for every birthday, but those milestone birthdays are the time to celebrate!

A milestone birthday party is usually going to be a big event. Friends and family should all be invited to share in such a special occasion. This means that the party should be held in a large space which usually means holding the party in a hall or reception site. This can be costly, but is usually worth it in order to not have to clean up after a party!
Consider doing something special for the birthday boy or girl. Perhaps a slideshow of their life or a collage that showcases the most important events will make a special statement. If you really want everyone to remember such a special occasion, then order party favors to give out. These can be personalized with the name of the birthday boy or girl and a special message!

Remember to handle all of the standard party planning such as food, drink, decorations, and music. A large party will need a caterer or if money is tight then consider a potluck!
Are you planning a milestone birthday party or have you attended one recently? What made it a special occasion? What made it different than other birthday parties? Do you have any advice on planning one of these events? Give us the scoop so that we can all throw parties to remember!

In this world of excess is it possible to do too much for our children? The Jewish religion celebrates the coming of age of children at the age of thirteen. Not only does this involve a lot of party planning, but the child must spend a lot of time studying and attending religious classes in order to stand in front of their friends and family and recite from the Torah.

These children must work for this extra special coming of age party, but does that entitle them to an overblown party that can cost as much as a typical wedding? Why do parents feel the need to outdo every other parent when it comes to their children’s birthday parties? I understand that a Bar Mitzvah is an extra special occasion and should not be compared to the average birthday party, but it is still a party for a thirteen year old.
After the religious service, it is customary for the parents to throw a party that generally entails a meal and entertainment. This may include renting out a hall, hiring a caterer, ordering a bartender, and hiring entertainment such as a band of DJ. But when does it go too far? Is it extravagant presents? Is it in the decorations or entertainment? Perhaps the guest list is very large. There is so much that goes into party planning that a parent can lose track of expenses.

While the Bar Mitzvah should be an event to remember, it is important to keep everything in perspective. Have you been to a Bar Mitzvah lately? How does it compare to a Bar Mitzvah from ten years ago? Do you think parents are going too far or do these children deserve an over the top party for their coming of age? Give us your opinion and your thoughts on planning a perfect Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah!