10 Tips on How to get the Party Started

Planning a party is fun when you wish to give your guests a good time. The main consideration is organizing the event from start to finish. This includes deciding on the number of guests, a theme and the location and you are good to go! Set aside a budget for your party and start working towards making it successful.

Here are a few tips to help you get started

1. Make out a checklist as this will reduce your stress levels at the nth hour. Take your time to plan the guest list and decide on how you would like to send the invitations. A simple phone call will work but if you prefer to send out invitation cards or emails, you can do so. Make sure to check out each item that you enter on your checklist and narrow down the “Things to Do” well before the D-date. It would be advisable to ask your guests to let you know if they can make it to your party with a simple RSVP.
2. Send out your invitations well on time. This will help you get an idea of the number of friends and relatives that will attend your party. Make sure to include written direction and perhaps a map to help them locate the venue of the party.
3. Decide on a theme and let your guest know if you wish them to dress up in any particular color or style. The background and décor should be in keeping with your theme. If you are planning a “Cowboy” theme make sure to include a suitable background and perhaps prop a horse or pictures of horses around. The venue should look good enough to encourage the guests to join in the fun.
4. Plan the menu according to the type of party you plan to throw. If you are planning a cocktail party, plan the drinks you will serve carefully. Have a wide range of drinks on the bar counter and the necessary ingredients and kit for making cocktails. This is important as you should not run out of drinks. Hors d’ouvres is ideal for a cocktail party but make sure you have enough going around. Serve plenty of finger foods and make sure the trays are replenished regularly.
5. Check the lighting and audio to ensure that there is music and the right type of lighting to enhance the theme. Make the place come alive with a beautiful variety of flower arrangements and balloons or colored ribbons.
6. Once the guests arrive, make sure to welcome them and introduce them to a few others. Most of the guests will mingle on their own while others may find a suitable place to sit down.
7. Delegate tasks to a couple of your friends to help with “breaking the ice”. One of them could be the bartender for the evening.
8. Some people prefer to circulate while others may sit back, relax and listen to the music and make small chat with the others sitting in the area. Set aside an area for dancing and you will find some couples graduating to the floor and enjoying themselves.
9. If you think that your guests would like to play some games, you could get them involved in some fun activities. This generally draws them together. Make sure not to plan something too elaborate.
10. Control the music and the lighting to ensure that there is a perfect blend of everything. Once the guests are comfortable you can sit back and relax and let the evening take its course.