Hosting a birthday party, whether it's for a child, teenager or adult, isn't enough just to come and smile at the guests (though of course, both are necessary). To hold a festive birthday party, you need to determine the type of party you will host along with the details, such as food, drinks, entertainment and decorations. You should also understand the etiquette of hosting a party: starting with an invitation and ending with a thank you card. This way, your guests will leave happy and interested in visiting your next party.
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Part 1 of 3: Determining the Type and Size of the Party
Step 1. Determine a party budget and stick to it
If you determine how much money you prepare for the party, it will be easier for you to determine the location of the party and what entertainment, food, drinks, decorations, services and party supplies you can afford. Without a definite budget, you may end up spending too much money and finding it difficult to enjoy the party. Of course, you want to avoid both of these.
- To help you create a budget, you can use the online expense log program [Manilla.com], mobile apps such as "Party Budget Tracker," or the website [evite.com/app/party/calculator].
- When hosting a party for teens, you should also prepare a budget for the friends of the guests.
Step 2. Determine the location, date and time
Choose the most convenient or preferred location for your guest of honor. Several location options are in your house, at someone else's house, or somewhere around you, for example in a restaurant, country club, bar, park, gymnasium, etc. If you want to host this party at home, think about whether you're ready to take on the responsibility, especially if it's a children's party. A party of 1st graders running around in your two-bedroom bungalow can be quite the hassle!
- Once you have determined the location, specify the time and date. Make sure this time and date match (a) the location, if not at home; and (b) special guests.
- If you are holding a children's party, the duration of the party does not have to be too long. Two or three hours is enough, especially for small children. Toddler parties are best held in the morning, when children of that age are generally still excited.
Step 3. Decide on the theme of the party
Usually, children's parties come with a special theme, and the invitations you send will feature this theme. First of all, you have to determine the choice of theme, then invite your child to determine the theme he chose for his birthday party.
It's also a good idea to have an adult party with a certain theme. Usually, people need to hire a babysitter, buy new clothes, rent a car, etc., when going to a party. If you include a theme, people will be more interested in coming and this theme can be a good start for a chat
Step 4. Create an invite list and send the invites
Broadly speaking, this invite list is determined by how many people your location and budget can accommodate. Make sure all of these things are fixed before you start deciding on the names of the invitees. Once the list of invitees has been written, confirm with the special guests of the people they would like to bring along. The next step is to send out invitations, either paper or digital. Submit it at least three to four weeks before the event. Below are some tips regarding invite lists and invitees.
- If you're hosting a child's birthday party, don't exclude one person from a group (scouts, class, soccer team, etc.) just because that person isn't your child's friend. If you invite only a few people from your child's class, don't hand out invitations at school.
- If you're hosting a teen birthday party, set a closing time an hour before you want everyone to leave, as they'll be sure to "hang out" and not leave the party right away. Make sure that you get the parent's contact information through the invitation confirmation.
- Include all important information on the invitation, including the dress code and level of formality. Also include an address that is easily searchable by the global positioning system (GPS).
- Use websites like [Evite.com] or [Punchbowl.com] to send you custom-designed e-invitations. Add photos, and be creative with your words to get people interested.
- Call the person who hasn't confirmed the invite a few days before the party starts.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Party
Step 1. If necessary, ask for help
Enlist the help of friends, your spouse, siblings, other parents, older children, etc. to help you with surveillance, photography and gaming. If you don't want to ask other people for help like this and you can afford it, you can hire professional help, a high school kid looking for extra money, or your babysitter to help clean up before and after the party, when the party is handing out food., supervising children and youth, or for anything else you need.
Step 2. Create a core list of the main equipment you will need
This list of supplies will depend on the location and shape of your party. Even so, you will still need to create lists of this kind. Beyond food and drink, you'll need to prepare things like balloons, party hats, signs, games, crafts, music, coolers, plates, tablecloths, invitation plates, glasses, ice, extra toilet paper and cutlery.
Step 3. Define entertainment
The entertainment you provide will largely depend on the type, theme and location of the party. However, you need to keep your guests interested. Therefore, think and plan your entertainment carefully.
- If holding a children's party, it is better to prepare a schedule of activities and alternate activities that require high energy levels with those that only require low energy levels.
- If you are renting entertainment for your party, make sure that you book well in advance and ask what needs to be prepared.
- If you're having a party at home and you're going to play music, prepare a playlist that fits the mood of the party. Make sure that you also include your special guest's favorite song.
Step 4. Plan a meal or party menu
Depending on the location of the party, you may or may not want to make your own food. Of course, if your budget is sufficient, you can order food catering services. The most important thing you have to remember is, make sure that the food is suitable for the type of invitation that will come, while also keeping the theme in mind. Even if you are hosting a children's party, remember that their parents will also be there. You have to prepare something for them to eat and drink. Below are some tips.
- For children's parties, prepare finger foods, pizza, and other foods that children like. This food should be a simple food.
- For a teen party, keep it simple too, but make sure that you prepare a lot of food. Pizza, chips, pretzels, soft drinks; all good and no cutlery needed (but that means there will be more trash).
- Prepare some extra souvenir bags, for extra uninvited guests or in case a souvenir bag is missing.
- If you're hosting a party at home and cooking yourself, if possible cook and prepare meals one day in advance, so you don't feel rushed and have more time with your guests.
- For large dinner parties, determine where everyone is seated. Separate couples, and seat quiet people near busier people to create a more lively party.
- Don't forget the birthday cake, even if you're throwing a party for adults. Make sure that this cake has been ordered in advance.
- If you order catering, make sure that you order food at least three weeks in advance.
Step 5. Determine the type of drink
For kids and teen parties, make sure you have more than you think they need, as they will drink a lot. Avoid giving caffeinated drinks to children. For an adult party, make sure you also prepare non-alcoholic drinks, and mark cocktails and punches that contain alcohol.
Prepare more glasses than expected. Do not let you have to fuss for a glass in the middle of a party
Step 6. Prepare your equipment
A week or two before the party, you should go shopping and buy everything you need. There are things that are prepared closer to the date of the party, fresh food for example. However, for other things that can be prepared long before the party, just prepare in advance, so as not to rush if you have to order in advance. You can also prepare balloons, streamers, and party activities closer to the party date.
Step 7. Clean and decorate your home
If you are hosting a party at home, you will need to thoroughly clean the inside of your house, and do a major cleaning or planting of the yard. Clean up unnecessary knick-knacks and move your belongings around to create more space for guests. By doing so, you also create a more comfortable atmosphere.
After cleaning, or if you're hosting a party somewhere other than your home, decorate the venue based on the theme of the party. However, don't spend a lot of money, time or energy on decorations that people won't see
Step 8. Do the final preparations
Prepare the camera. Provide extra toilet paper in the bathroom. Light a candle. Play music. Serve food. Place the trash in a strategic place.
Part 3 of 3: Hosting the D-Day
Step 1. Dress neatly
You certainly don't want to wear clothes that are super cool but really uncomfortable to wear when you have to chase the kids for 2 to 3 hours. You also definitely don't want to wear high heels, which might make your feet look beautiful but feel really sore after an hour of hosting. Choose your clothes wisely, so that you look appropriate and appropriate, but also think about comfort, so that people don't think that you are a fierce host (because you are busy getting angry because of the discomfort).
Step 2. Set aside some free time to rest before the party
Make sure that everything is ready at least 30 minutes before the party starts, including yourself. By taking the time to rest, you will be more relaxed when you have to receive guests and better prepared if guests arrive early. This way, you will create a comfortable atmosphere right from the start of the party.
- If your preparations are late and a guest has arrived early, greet the person in a friendly manner and explain that you are a little late. You can ask the guest to help you, so it's less awkward.
- If you're hosting a dinner party, appetizers and drinks should be ready when guests arrive.
Step 3. Greet your guests in a friendly manner
Greet every guest when they come. It's better if you mention their name. As a host, it is your responsibility to make them feel comfortable, to make them feel that you are happy they are there. Get them their jacket, show them your house, accept the gift or explain where they can put the gift, say thank you for the gift received, and if so, explain the party plans.
For a children's party, create a craft, activity or game that is non-competitive for newcomers. Do this while waiting for everyone to arrive
Step 4. Chat with guests
As a host, you have to make everyone feel comfortable. Chat with your guests, listen to what they have to say, answer as you see fit, ask them about various things, introduce people who don't know each other, and so on.
- Don't wait for someone else to create a party atmosphere. You created it, you also have to keep it from that point. Enjoy the process.
- The more you make people feel comfortable, the better the party atmosphere will be.
Step 5. Remain calm when things go wrong
Drinks can spill, plates will pile up. The music will suddenly stop. Focus on your guests, not on cleaning or trouble. Problems can be solved, maybe even easier than we initially feared. When an accident occurs (something will happen), accept their apology with a smile and take care of the problem.
- Have a stain remover ready as well as hidden spaces to put trash and dirty dishes. You can take care of those things after the party, or hire someone to help you out.
- For a kids party, prepare lots of tissues and keep smiling!
Step 6. Take care of your guests
Always offer extra drinks at parties. If you see someone with an empty glass, offer to refill the glass. If you see a person standing alone, have a chat with that person or introduce them to other people they may want to know. For a children's party, don't rush. Don't chase an activity that's going well just because you want to keep the schedule right. Just let it flow, until finally the atmosphere must continue to the next activity.
Throughout the party, pay close attention to the teen. If you see anything suspicious, talk to the child alone, and if necessary, call the child's parents
Step 7. Avoid drinking too much alcohol
If the party is an adult party, as the host you shouldn't drink too much. If you're drunk, or even half-drunk, your guests will feel uncomfortable and you'll have a hard time being a good host.
Step 8. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid using your phone
While people will usually keep their phones on even at parties, it's best not to show your phone. If your cell phone is on vibrating mode and then there is a call that you urgently need to pick up, politely excuse yourself and don't be on the phone for too long, then immediately return to your guest and explain why you should pick up the call.
By being forthright and only using your phone when absolutely necessary, you will appear wiser and your guests will be more understanding
Step 9. At a children's party, open the gifts received
Usually, gifts are opened during children's birthday parties because most children love to see the gifts that special guests receive. The child giving the gift will also be delighted to see the special guest open the gift. Generally, this is one of the things done at the end of a party, and hosts usually write down what gifts each child gave so that the information can be written on a thank you card.
Gifts can also be opened at birthday parties for adults and teens, although it's not very common
Step 10. Thank your guests for coming
At the end of the party, the host should personally thank each guest. If guests bring gifts, the host should also say thank you for the gift. If it is a children's birthday party, use this opportunity to teach your child good manners, invite your child to personally thank their friends for coming and bringing gifts.
- At a teen party, call their parents if someone doesn't pick up on time or says they're going home some other way.
- Usually, souvenir bags are given while saying thank you. While this is usually only done at children's and teen parties, you can also do it at adult parties. Here are some ideas for what the gift bag contains:
- Make small plant pots with moss, cactus or houseplants, and tie a ribbon around them.
- Make your own wine labels, then attach them to the wine bottles using double-sided tape.
- Make your own barbecue sauce, put it in a glass jar, and include the recipe.
- Buy a booklet from the store, then write down the recipe for each dish you serve and wrap a ribbon.
- Print the photo at the party and put it in the frame. Provide this photo before your guests leave.
Step 11. Send a thank you card
About a week after the party, send a thank you card to every guest in attendance. Express your appreciation.
- You will make a positive impression by giving each card a personal touch. Make sure that you mention the special gift that the person gave you.
- If you have a photo from a party that includes the person and special guests, or the entire invitation, include that photo in the thank you card as well.
