Parties can be fun, but they can be stressful for the people who want to make them! Do not worry. There are a number of considerations (such as many people, places, entertainment, etc.) that you need to know, once you know them, you will be ready to host them. Check out the first steps to getting started hosting a great party.
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Method 1 of 4: Hosting a Children's Party
Step 1. Plan carefully from the start
What you really want to avoid is going to various places a few hours before the party to prepare food and decorations and other items. You should also make sure you know who's coming, so it's a good idea to spread out your invitations at least a week in advance.
- Create a data list that lists the food you want to serve, the decorations and toys you need, what your budget is. This way you won't be surprised if your party turns out to be what you expected.
- Limit the number of invitees. Explain to the parents of the children you invite whether their siblings are allowed to come or not, for what age your party is, and whether parents are required to attend with their children (to answer yes they need to come). Some people will ignore your request, but will at least get a more polite parent to comply with your request.
Step 2. Get help
Make sure your family knows what they need to do to help you. Don't try to run a children's party by yourself. You will be very tired, whatever happens, make sure you have someone to help with serving and cleaning and your work will feel 100 times younger.
- Ask family or close relatives to help prepare the party (especially if their child is coming). This could be as simple as asking them to bring some food, help with the decorations, or even pick up a birthday cake if you can't.
- Let your child help you make the invitations and decorations. This can be a fun process for both of you. And will also give a child's touch in this event, which is actually what's important, right?
Step 3. Create a time limit for the party
If you don't do this, there will be a crisis with your child and you will end up being a nanny for several other children. By having a specific start and finish time, you will ensure that their parents will pick them up before they get cranky.
- If your child is of an age where they are still napping, make sure that you don't schedule a party just in time for a nap. This is one recipe for anticipating problems. Set a schedule as much as you can, by scheduling it in the morning before a nap or the afternoon after.
- Keep parties short (except overnight stays, where you need to limit guests). Have a party of 1 1/2 or 2 hours. This will help you and the people helping you less tired.
Step 4. Prepare food for the children
Even if you severely limit what your child eats, you can still prepare party foods that your child and their friends will love. Parties should be fun and a little overwhelming (especially if it's a birthday party, or a holiday party like Halloween).
- Try and avoid messy foods. This is why potato chips and snacks are good choices for kids' parties, as they're easier to eat while running around. For example: Spaghetti and meatballs may not be a good choice for a children's party, especially where there are many small children.
- Depending on the type of party you can customize the food to match the theme. For example: for a Halloween party you could make pumpkin-shaped biscuits, or a delicious pumpkin bar. You can roast pumpkin seeds, peeled grapes (eyeballs!) and more.
- It can be a fun idea to make your own ice cream sundae or cupcake. Prepare bowls for different sweets and others for dessert. Make sure that you place the newspaper as a base, because the candies can fall apart.
Step 5. Set up the right game
Whatever children's party you are hosting, you need to make sure the kids have a good activity. In the time you have (1 1/2 to 2 hours) you need at least 1 or 2 activities. Too much and kids will be everywhere and too few games, will make kids bored.
- Make sure you have a well-designed activity. This reduces the awkwardness and keeps the kids busy with something, so they don't run around everywhere.
- Searching for treasure is a fun game for kids. The difficulty level can be increased or decreased depending on the age of the child. They can also be adapted to various themes (Pirate treasure hunt, princess hunting, or pumpkin hunting). Make sure there are gifts for all the children.
- Avoid games that are too competitive. A competitive game means that the winners and losers will cry. To avoid this, play games like freeze tag where no one wins or loses.
Step 6. Let them go home happy
This is a great idea for a birthday party, because (especially for young children) they can throw a tantrum because they want a gift too. To avoid this, prepare something small for each child to make them feel loved.
- Prepare gifts. Most young children don't care what the package contains, they just like it because they got something. Prepare something inexpensive, small, that fits the theme (princess clothespin, pirate eye patch). If you don't want to give them too many candies, replace them with animal-shaped biscuits.
- You can also do crafts so they can take them home. Do something like coloring (there are easy tools out there, so it doesn't get messy), or get different motes to make necklaces, or draw something related to a party theme.
Method 2 of 4: Hosting a Party for Teens
Step 1. Plan ahead
Hosting a party for teens can be a difficult process, because what they and their parents define as cool is usually completely different. You need to spend a lot of time seeing what they like, or if you're a teenager setting up a party, you need plenty of time to talk to your parents and talk to your friends.
- Make a budget for the party. See what you can buy like food, drinks, decorations, music and more.
- Let the youth make the invitations. Again, parents usually don't understand what's cool or embarrassing for their teens and a handwritten invitation can be the ticket to being a “loser” at school. Let them choose how they invite their guests, as long as they invite approved guests and don't invite everyone at school.
Step 2. Choose a party type
While a themed party might not be cool enough for your teen, there are many different types of parties you can throw. Is this a birthday party? Holiday parties (like Halloween)? A graduation party? Each of these parties requires a different decoration (if the teen wants one) and sometimes, a different meal.
- You should also think about the type of party based on the location. A beachfront party with a bonfire requires different preparation and more energy than a Halloween party at your home. Outdoor parties require weather preparation (for example, in a nearby area with a roof).
- Remember, a girl's sleepover party will be very different from a graduation party. A maid or parent needs to make sure these girls don't run away, or you don't usually worry about them. This type of party more often becomes disorganized and requires supervision.
Step 3. Set the time
You need to make sure that your teen's friends can come to the party, so try to call ahead for a bigger party, like a big birthday party or a great Halloween (at least 2 weeks in advance). For smaller parties, you won't need that much time, unless it's a very important party.
- Avoid school nights and Sunday nights even while still in school. Teenagers should rest at home and have time to do chores. Partying will cut their time.
- Make sure the parents of the teens invited know what will be happening at the party and that alcohol will not be prepared and that there is adequate supervision.
Step 4. Prepare the party “pieces”
Getting everything ready will make the party a success. That is, eating and the right music. If you have planned beforehand, this will not be difficult.
- For food, you need something easy to snack on. Chips and dip, pretzels, and biscuits, pizza, and vegetables cut into dips, are good choices. You can also cut fruit and make fruit plates. If you prepare the chocolate in the middle, you'll have something fun (and a healthy option).
- Let the youth prepare their music. They usually have iPods or cell phones full of their type of songs. Put it on the speakers, so they will have a loud song to make them dance. If you are worried about neighbors, be sure to talk to them and check again beforehand.
- For drinks, you will need soda and water. Remember, unless they are 18 or under, you can get into trouble with binge drinking, even if you don't prepare for it.
- Use paper plates and cups and forks to reduce cleaning later. Teenagers are usually not very picky about what they eat. If you're environmentally conscious, there are usually paper plates that can be recycled and something you can use.
Step 5. Set up the zone for the party
Again, this depends on the type of party, but it's usually a good idea to have different areas for different activities, such as dancing, playing football, video games, and areas for eating.
- Make sure you have a trash can in each area. This will make it easier to reduce the mess and it will be easier to clean up later.
- It would be great if the youth knew each area (with parental knowledge) because they know their friends best.
Step 6. Ensure proper supervision is in place
While having a maid around will make the teen party less exciting, not having supervision will lead to a lot of bad choices at the party.
- If an adult is doing the supervision, try to be somewhere else during the party. For example, if the party is at the teen's house, one of the parents or older (responsible) sibling should be in one of the other rooms of the house. Sometimes, check out the party by walking into the kitchen or bathroom.
- If someone is in their twenties and can be trusted, let them oversee the party. They will be more understanding than parents, but can still organize the party.
Step 7. Clean up afterwards
It would be best to allow the youth to clean up as a learning process. Those who party, they also have to clean up after. This will also reduce the chances of the party getting messy because they know they have to take care of whatever happens.
Set up some friends to stay after to help clean up. Turn on some music for more fun
Method 3 of 4: Hosting a Party for Adults
Step 1. Choose a date
It's a good idea to pre-select so you can invite the people you want and have the party you want. Choosing a date will tell you how much time you have to prepare for the party.
- Unless you only have a small gathering, you need to make sure that your guests have enough time to organize your party.
- You also need to consider things like the weather, or other events taking place when choosing a date. For example: You don't want to plan an outdoor party in the middle of the rainy season (if you do, make sure you and your guests are prepared).
Step 2. Prepare your budget
You need to know how much money you need to spend on parties because you need to come up with creative solutions for food, drink and entertainment.
- It's a good idea to set how much money you're willing to spend on certain categories: drinks, food, entertainment, decorations, etc.
- You can also think about what you can do (20th century themed parties, etc.) and find ways to use a limited budget (example: print forbidden images, attach bead chains to the ceiling, for a 20th century effect.
Step 3. Find the type of party
This can be a birthday party, cocktail party, or some type of special celebration, or a get together with a favorite person. How you prepare the party will depend on how big the party is, and what it is about.
There are several things to consider for different parties. For example, if you are planning a surprise birthday party for a friend, you have to make sure he is there, people don't spoil the surprise, you make sure your friend comes to the party, and so on
Step 4. Select guests
This is the time to choose who and how many people you invite. This will depend on things like the time of day, the type of party and your budget.
- If you are having a party at your or your friend's house, consider how many people can enter.
- If you decide to have a dinner party, you may have to invite a small number. Make sure you invite people you and others find interesting. The worst thing is when you invite people who don't get along with each other (for example: your friend from the rock group with your male office mate).
Step 5. Choose a location
Now you know what kind of party you are having and how many people you are inviting to know where you will be hosting the party. If it's a dinner party or your small group of friends, your home or apartment is fine too. If the party is larger you will need to consider other options.
- You also need to make sure that you are aware of the limitations of the location you are considering. For example: if you are having a party at your house and you only have hot plates, you need to avoid the food that has to be made, or you want to let your friends make it.
- If your party is bigger than your house consider other options such as: in a park or green house, a museum, going to a national park, or renting a hall.
- Prepare the right seat. If your party is a dinner party, you should make sure everyone gets a seat. Even if you're hosting a buffet, you need to make sure everyone can sit down and eat (or it will spill a lot to clean up).
Step 6. Choose entertainment
The party should have something fun and make them feel successful. This can be anything from a sweet game to a race, a board game, a theme, or whatever you want.
- The more people the harder it is to find the right game for your party, because it will be difficult to manage these people. For large parties, music and a dance floor are a good idea.
- You can even have a craft party. Make sure everyone brings equipment; prepare tea and alcohol.
Step 7. Prepare enough food and drink
This is another reason why you should plan ahead, and also why it's a good idea to let people bring things along. You don't want to run out of food or drink during a party.
- A good idea for a drink is to have one signature drink (in addition to the usual beer or wine). It can be like champagne (classic); You can get Prosecco for half the price. You can also provide a jar of Sangria or a margarita.
- Make sure you have drinks for non-drinkers and a driver, if the party is with alcohol. You can make something fun like Air bubble with a little fruit juice and a little fruit.
- For some creative food ideas you could try fondue (you can have a cheese fondue with bread and vegetables, and a dessert fondue with a little cake or strawberries dipped in chocolate). You can create a food buffet with a theme (like Mexican dinner night).
- Let people bring something. To make the party easier for you, invite people to bring something like appetizers, beer or wine. With this, food and drink will not be difficult for you. A good idea is to create a list of the foods and drinks you want for your party. Choose what you can handle and let your guests choose what they can bring.
Step 8. Clean
Make sure you allow 2 of your close friends to help you clean up after the party so you don't have to clean up yourself. Depends on the time of the party (evening, afternoon, evening (you want to wait and clean up the next day.
Put on some music to get through the tedious part of cleaning and if you're with your friends talk about the party and how fun it is. It will make you less annoyed with cleaning up if you remember what you did
Method 4 of 4: Be Creative
Step 1. Choose a theme
While this may seem like a less creative option, you have a few options to make it more interesting. Themed parties are great for parties where you'll be drinking and parties that don't involve alcohol. You can even combine it with other options like a 20th century theme with a murder mystery, or a theme where you play Cards Against Humanity.
- One theme idea is that you create a hero or bad guy theme. Comes with a costume and a story. This is a good idea because you can spend a lot of time asking questions about their costumes.
- Another theme idea is a party pun, where people dress like nobody. For example, if you could be a wall plant by dressing as a flower leaning against the wall.
- You can also commit the seven deadly sins and prepare every room in your house according to one of the themes. Everyone can dress up in a version of sin like carrying a mirror like Vanity.
Step 2. Sleeping party
It's great fun because everyone can come in their pajamas. Watch a movie, or play a game played in elementary school (such as MASH or Truth or Dare).
You can also have everyone help build a pillow fort and have everyone sleep in it
Step 3. Have a dessert party
This party is a party where you prepare dessert and everyone has to bring their favorite dessert. You don't have to worry about alcohol or dinner. Dessert can be a theme (desserts from around the world).
- Some dessert ideas are banana splits, hot fudge sundaes. different cakes and pies, and ice cream.
- You could also have a baking party that turns into this. Invite your friends and make lots of different desserts.
Step 4. Tea Party
It's a lot of fun and you can make it as simple or fancy as you need. You can also add themes. For example, it could be a tea party in fancy dresses or everyone has to dress like a novel character.
You can also do “Alice in Wonderland” at a tea party. Let people dress up as characters in books or movies, and prepare huge teacups and stuffed mice
Tips
- For parties that are not dinner parties, prepare fewer seats than your guests. This will ensure people are conversing with other people. And it will be easier to set up the dance floor if you have music and dancing as part of the party.
- Make sure the bathroom is clean and usable. Many people forget about important things. Wherever your party is (especially in your house) people will use this during the party. Have plenty of toilet paper ready (there's nothing worse than being a guest and running out of tissue when using the toilet).
- A good idea is to set up a bar (where all drinks, even non-alcoholic ones, are) at the opposite end of the meal as this will allow people to talk to other people.
- Hire a babysitter for the night and let your friends take their kids, so your friends can stay longer and the kids have fun with themselves. Remember to tip the babysitter.
