Throwing a great party doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right ideas and some basic planning, you can create a memorable, exciting—not to mention fun—experience all your guests will enjoy. Whether you’re throwing a birthday bash, anniversary celebration, corporate function, or draft-day extravaganza, here are some tips that will help make your party one to remember.
Themes for Parties
Themed parties can bring your event to life and make it unique. Adventure- and safari-themed parties are popular for teens and early twenties, as are beach or luau-themed parties for preteens and young teens. If you’re going for an elegant grownup affair, consider a black-and-white masquerade ball or an old Hollywood soiree. When it comes to sophisticated parties, themes like “A Night at the Museum” or “Game of Thrones” can be a hit. For a more laidback vibe, a barbecue or a “friends” theme (featuring everyone’s favorite movies, shows, and music) can be just the ticket.
Age Appropriate Ideas
You want each of your guests to be comfortable and enjoy the festivities. When planning for an age range, it’s important to take the age of your guests into account. For young children, you could have face painting, a magician, or a costume contest. To keep teenagers entertained, you could have a karaoke contest or an air-guitar competition. If you’re having a party for adults, you could have a wine-tasting contest or custom cocktails made for each guest. If you’re having an intergenerational event for both young and old, you can host game activities such as charades, trivia, cornhole, and scavenger hunts.
Tips for Planning a Party
It’s important to plan ahead when organizing your party. Start by setting a budget, which will help you make decisions about food, decorations, activities, entertainment, and party favors throughout the process. Then determine the day and time of the event. Once you’ve decided these elements, you can start thinking about your guest list; this will help you settle on a party venue since you’ll need to consider things like capacity and parking availability. Other key considerations include a beverage plan (including whether alcohol will be served), food (will you have appetizers, dinner, or snacks?), and any entertainment or activities you may want to include.
Budget Friendly Ideas
When it comes to parties on a budget it takes some clever and creative planning to make it happen. For example, if possible look for ways to reduce costs on venue rental fees. Several green locations offer discounted rates. You can also save money by shopping for party supplies around holidays when stores often have discounts. If you are inviting many guests consider potluck dinners with each person bringing their favorite dish to save on the cost of catering. Another way to save is by cutting down on decorations — try using items like colorful napkins and balloons as your decorations instead of buying expensive decorations that will likely get thrown away after the event.
Decorating for Parties
Decorations are essential for giving your event that special something. The goal should be to create an overall ambiance while at the same time taking into account the party’s theme. When deciding on decorations always consider the budget and time at hand. Though there are numerous possibilities some easy ideas can help get started such as making large statements with wall decals or banners and mixing in colorful paper lanterns for an inexpensive way to add an extra layer of decoration. By using items that draw the theme together such as confetti for a birthday party or confetti poppers for a New Year’s Party, your guests will appreciate the extra effort.
Food and Drink Ideas
Food and drink can set the tone for just about any event — from appetizers to full meals to afternoon tea parties. The key factor that needs careful consideration is how much food is needed; some dinners with adults will require more substantial plates than kids’ parties, which can often make do with finger foods such as chicken fingers or other bite-sized snacks. Drinks are also essential; you’ll want to accommodate guests who do not want alcohol — like juice boxes, soda cans, and more — while also offering something special such as craft beer or signature cocktails. If money is tight, many party hosts offer ways to reduce costs on food and drinks such as serving kid-friendly items first, before adults are served.
Games and Activities to Entertain Guests
Some parties need games or activities to keep the guests entertained throughout the night. Have some trivia prepared if themes involved require it or simply have a pool party with competitive games that guests can join in on. If you have kids involved, have them play tag, scavenger hunt games, or hide-and-go-seek outside in the yard. Consider card games like Uno or even have a karaoke competition if you have access to a console with music and all the necessary tools for competitions. Games that involve physical activities such as volleyball or cornhole can also help the guests bond on an outdoor adventure.
Hosting a Virtual Party
Virtual parties are becoming increasingly more popular during these times when many people are isolated at home. They’re an easy way to connect with friends and family during social distancing, creating an experience that’s similar to a traditional gathering without any of the logistical hassles. Start by establishing the rules and setting a date and time for the virtual party; then make sure everyone knows how to connect using the video conferencing platform of your choice (such as Zoom or Skype). Then come up with activities that everyone can enjoy together — think online karaoke duets, virtual scavenger hunts, movie watch parties, online board game tournaments — whatever your group prefers.
Cleanup and Disposal Tips
When it comes to wrapping up the party, cleanup is always the least enjoyable part of organizing an event. To make it easier on yourself and your helpers, try to plan ahead — assign tasks beforehand so everyone has something specific to do beforehand so everyone knows their role — and start cleaning up early so that nothing gets out of control at the end of the night. Put trash in bags so it can be quickly disposed of; reuse or recycle items if possible; leave surfaces clean; and if possible, provide bags or containers for guests to take home any decorations they’d like so things don’t have to be thrown away.
