Party Planning Basics

Everyone loves a good party! Instagram - LOVES a good party. But what makes a good party a good party? Ease and fellowship are what define a good party in our neck of the woods. In today’s “photo-worthy” climate we’ve set the standard high for events. However, EVENTS don’t have to be nerve-racking. Events/parties can be quickly and easily assembled.

Events all have the same basic structure:

• Food

• Activities

• Decorations

• Theme

That’s it. Four basic elements are all you need to have a great party. Let’s break these elements down so you don’t get overwhelmed!

(psssstttt…click the button to download your FREE party planner to help you curate your next event.)

Theme

The glue to all events is a theme. A theme can be as simple as a family dinner where you use brightly colored napkins, candles, and have the cake serve as a centerpiece. It can be as elaborate as my son’s recent birthday: CARS! Be intentional with your theme but don’t overthink it.

Food

Don’t overthink your menu. You need three to four menu items MAX for most events. Crowd favorites in our home are popcorn (it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free), olive tray, veggie sticks (or if you’re fancy cruditè), and bite-size brownies. Make a signature drink and BOOM! The food is finished!

Popcorn is ALWAY available at our birthday parties.

Activities

In our home, we don’t accept gifts on birthdays and that allows us more time to spend with friends! Toddler parties shouldn’t be long. Allow an hour and a half for each event. Schedule 3-4 activities and then let your kids and their friends play.

For bigger kids allow 5-10 minutes for each physical activity, 10-15 for DIY activities, and 15 minutes to eat (because kids eat FAST and they won’t stay at the table). Give them some unplanned time to hang out and visit with their friends.

Adult parties don’t require activities! Curate spaces throughout your home to host small groups for meaningful conversation.

Decorations

Decorations can be simple or they can be elaborate. If you’re the type of person who likes to commit - commit! Go big! For adult birthdays we bring out festive headbands, the bright colored table runner, tissue paper confetti, and a homemade cake. For my kids’ birthdays ALWAYS do a Disney themed party. Always. Kid parties are when we’re EXTRA.

Signage helps drive home the theme of the event. If you’re doing a Cars themed birthday consider renaming each of the menu items. Oreos become “spare tires” and water becomes “coolant”.

Before you purchase decorations shop your house. We often use toys, mixed print runners and table cloths, and balloons to fill in our decorations. Balloons are a cheap, affordable way to offer visual impact without requiring a lot of time. Personal helium tanks last for 3+ events in our home.

Adult parties offer more flexibility. With adult events, you can use your food as a decoration like what I did for my 31st birthday.

Party planning is intentional but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. To help you consolidate your ideas + allow you to externally process I’ve created a party planner pdf for you to download and print. Click here to get your Party Planner.