Purposeful Parties How to Host a Celebration that Fits Your Family January 31, 2014
Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Event • Simple Planning Is KEY! • Have A Checklist • Make It Fun! • Involve Your kids • Don’t Go Overboard • Keep Food Simple It is only when I share life’s experiences with others that I can enjoy them or endure them to the greatest advantage. ~ Chuck Swindoll
Simple Planning Is Key – WHY WHEN WHERE WHO WHY - Know your party’s purpose WHEN - Choose your date and time Confirm with key people their availability Have a start and stop time determined Keep in mind expectations for food at certain times (at 11am lunch is expected vs 3pm) WHERE - Choose a venue / location Use seasonal options to your favor Home Parties are fun, but so are parties in other venues. Both have benefits!
Simple Planning is Key – WHY WHEN WHERE WHO WHO - Make your guest list Send out invitations early to get best response Be aware of space limitations at chosen location Know your budget – the more people that attend typically means more $ Bring in help if you need it – relatives, babysitters, momma’s helpers
Have a Checklist Think of everything – and keep a running list for little things you forget! Organize your list however it works for you By groups (guest list, food, décor) By what needs to happen when (three weeks before, two weeks before, week of, day of) Keep a box to gather everything for the party in the weeks ahead Start Early – a week, a month, a few months – if something changes mid-planning, just go with it! Use things you already have at home – or buy things you can use year after year Make sure that Day-Of you only have essential tasks left
Make it Fun! Choose a theme Brave the challenge of a “homemade” party theme vs. a commercial one Think outside of the box! Anything from a color to a type/style of food to a full blown theme Unify all your décor, food, beverage, and entertainment Think of Entertainment Stay true to your audience and what is appropriate for the age group or interests Use local resources…you may be surprised at who might say “Yes”!
Make it Fun! Learn together! Pick an educational theme, and then capitalize on it. Play dress up! Think of Activities for the guests (if applicable) Plan a few crafts – and a few back-ups in case you have extra time Party Favors – get creative! Consider giving gifts to a charity in lieu of birthday gifts. Avoid perfectionism! People tend to relax more in imperfect settings than perfect ones. The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. ~ Brian Tracy
Involve your kids! Make parties a “Family Affair” and make memories in the planning! For kids parties, follow your child’s lead! Let the party represent them! Include kids in the planning and in the preparation. Give yourself permission to be creative Learn to delegate! If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next year…Today should always be our most wonderful day. ~ Thomas Dreier.
Don’t Go Overboard Choose a few key details to execute well and fill in the rest with simple items – what is your “splash!” Pinterest is great for inspiration… …but don’t get overwhelmed! Pick one to three items to incorporate – you don’t have to compete (or post!) with the pros! Get crafty, have fun, let the kids help you Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Etsy, Dollar Store, Target Dollar Bins, Party City, wooden letters, etc. Keep ambiance and the 5 senses in mind Hospitality is not about you. It is about making others feel warm and welcome. The goal is to BLESS, NOT IMPRESS ~ Sandy Coughlin
Keep Food Simple Think about WHEN Serve food that is appropriate to the time of day (11 am = lunch, 3 pm = apps or light fare) Use a few tried and true recipes Events are not the time to try out a new recipe Create fun cakes for birthday parties – ones that don’t drive you crazy! Mix it up! It’s ok to have a mix of home made and store bought items Prepare as much as you can ahead of time Have your beverages self-serve - Serve a signature drink with beer/wine or set up a bar out of the kitchen!
Examples
Leah Oliver Birthday Parties for Cole – 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Used local resources like the Fire Department, Police department, Monster Trucks and Veterinarian Scott created something “physical” out of large boxes for the kids to crawl around in – fire trucks, trains. Made cakes that incorporated the theme Incorporated a “tactile” element – touching, climbing, etc. Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is. ~ Mary Ann Radmacher
FIRETRUCK Birthday Party!
TRAIN Birthday Party!
MONSTER TRUCK Birthday Party!
POLICE Birthday Party!
VETERNARIAN Birthday Party!
Leah Oliver Birthday Parties for Ainsley – 3 and 4 Carry the theme in everything! Used décor to create the environment Made cakes (or cupcakes) that incorporated the theme When using an outside venue don’t forget décor – keep it simple! Used our own MomTimer Alisa Felin to help throw a dance party Had crafts for each child Throw your hands up in the air and celebrate life. ~ Steven Tyler
DOLLIES & DANCE Birthday Party!
MERMAID Birthday Party!
Anna Clark Katharine’s 5 th Birthday Party Tea Party Theme - “Mommy, you plan parties? Will you work hard for my party?” Began at “High Noon” for lunch time snacks & tea Found a tea party recipe book at the library Ordered mini tea cups and mini silverware online Created hats from bowls, plates and tissue paper for kids to create as they arrived (Pinterest) Made invitations with craft paper and velum Used a stamp from Hobby Lobby to incorporate my theme easily EDUCATIONAL - Had “Missy” read them a Madeline book about manners Made a Shutterfly book of the party!
Anna Clark Mackenzie’s 4 th Birthday Party Art Party Theme Went for an early morning because of the shade in our back yard (in August) Dollar store FINDS! Got all supplies, crayons, colored pencils, paper, goodie bags Made Rainbow pasta(Pinterest) Ordered aprons online in bulk EDUCATIONAL - Created Art Lessons – Monet, Seurat, Kandisky that would inspire them in the types of art they would do later in the party Hired a helper! Mackenzie’s teacher who was off for the summer Made a Shutterfly book of the party!
Heather Weldon Lainey’s birthday parties We adapted the parties to where we were in our life, what we had going on and where her interests lied Stapleton Pool Monkey Bizness Lakeside Amusement Park Red Rocks Amphitheater God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. ~ Voltaire
Heather Weldon Olivia’s first birthday Planned an intimate gathering for our close friends and their children Got creative and executed a theme all the way from invitations through the kids activities
Heather Weldon Weddings
Kim Hicks FOOD Keep it simple Use quality ingredients Supplement house made with store bought items Go with what you know for big events Elevate when setting up a buffet Use food as décor for presentation Delegate and give guidance when guests offer to bring something In cooking, as in the arts, simplicity is a sign of perfection. ~ Curnonsky
Our Favorite Resources Smarty Had a Party – online good looking plastic ware, serving dishes and linens Alisa’s ( Felin) Dance Party www.alisasdanceparty.com Put a Bow on It (Katie E.) www.put-a-bow-on-it.com Dollar Store Target Dollar Bins Amazon Library – LOTS of books out there about everything! Create a sign with your child's name or “Happy Birthday” so you can use and reuse year after year If doing a party at a restaurant, take the menu and hand select items that work with your budget and give a hand printed menu for the party The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. ~Oprah Winfrey
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
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