Party Planning Basics
Are you new to entertaining and looking for where to start when hosting an event? Then you are in the right place! This post is meant to bring you the basic steps to party planning, an introductory how-to for any gathering you wish to host in your home. By following this simple outline, you’ll be ready to host any event that comes your way!
5 Steps of Party Planning Basics:
- Give Yourself Time
- Hash out the Details
- Invite Guests
- Gather Supplies
- Prepare your Home
#1: Give Yourself Time
The most important thing you can do when planning a party is to give yourself enough time. Although last-minute get-togethers are a lot of fun, party planning in advance will greatly cut down on your stress. By allowing yourself to hash out all the details in advance, you will be relaxed and prepared well before your guests arrive.
I recommend planning a party at least two weeks in advance. Preferably, I would plan a month ahead of time. This helps greatly when figuring out everyone’s schedules and availability!
#2: Hash out the Details
Alright, now’s the time to sit down with a cup of coffee and a notebook to do some planning. Might as well get comfortable, we’ve got some work to do. Don’t worry, it’ll be fun!
There are 4 main things you should focus on when hashing out the details of your party. These are:
- Theme
- Guest List
- Menu
- Activities
Theme
The first thing you should do when figuring out the details of your party is to determine if you will have a theme. While this is not by any means necessary when hosting a get together, choosing a party theme or having a special occasion to celebrate (like a birthday or holiday) will often help greatly when planning out the rest of your event.
Theme or no Theme
By Choosing a theme, you will set the foundation for your party. Themes help determine the menu, the activities, the look of the invitations, and even the décor. They set the overall feel of the event. Deciding not to have a theme has its benefits as well. It often makes gatherings simpler, giving you the freedom to mix up the vibe, and provide for a more casual, laid-back feel.
If I am wanting something super simple, or to throw a gathering for no real reason, I will often forgo a theme entirely. If I am looking to celebrate something in particular or am wishing to be more creative by giving my party that fun flare, I will opt for a theme.
Guest List
Think about who you wish to invite to your event, and how many people you want in your home. Here are a few things to consider when creating your guest list:
Personalities
Think about whether your guests will get along well together. Do you have multiple friend groups? If so, will they hit it off? Or would it be best to host these groups separately? You do not need to invite all of your friends to one event. You can always rotate the guest list!
Type of Event
Once again, consider the type of event you are planning. For a dinner party, for instance, you will want a smaller, more intimate crowd. A dinner party guest list should include however many people can fit around your table for easy conversation. A cocktail party, on the other hand, is meant to encourage individuals to walk around and socialize. This makes it easier to accommodate more people in any given space.
Menu
Think about the type of party you want to host, as well as the amount of effort you wish to put in. For example, is this a dinner party where you need to plan out an entire meal with side dishes and a main course? Or are you hosting a cocktail party where you only require some drinks and snacks to hold everyone over? Knowing the type of event you are having will help determine your menu.
Timing is Everything
Be sure to consider the time of your event. If your event is occurring over regular meal hours, you will want to provide more food. If you are looking to avoid making an entire meal, then be sure to host in between or after regular dining times.
These are some of our favorite games from our stash here at home.
Activities
I believe that it’s never a bad idea to have an activity planned for an event. It’s good to have something to pick the party back up just in case there is a lull!
This activity is often a game of some sort. Card games, board games, yard games, printable games, interactive games (like charades, Pictionary, or Taboo), or games that fit the party theme. Anything works here!
Other activities can be a lot of fun as well, such as painting pumpkins at a fall harvest party or making gingerbread houses at a Christmas party (I have an entire post for Christmas Party Activities here). Buy a piñata for Cinco de Mayo or plant seeds in tiny pots for guests to take home at a garden party. There are so many creative activities you can do to mix it up, so get creative and have fun with it!
#3: Invite Your Guests
Make an invitation, call, text, give a verbal invite… there are plenty of ways to invite guests over and it all depends on your preferences. If you ask me, nothing can quite compare to a real, physical invitation.
What to Include
Be sure to add the date, time, location, and any additional details. Things like requests for specific attire, something they should bring, etc. If you have guests that like to hang around late, consider adding a start and end time. This way they are aware of when you expect to wrap up the party.
Homemade Invites
Invitations are a great visual reminder for your guests and can be given out for the simplest of gatherings! They really do contribute to the building of anticipation.
I like to print mine and hand them off in person, if possible, otherwise I will text an image of the finished invite to my guests. I design my own online for free, often in Canva or Greetings Island.
#4: Gather Supplies
What all do you need for the event? Make a grocery list and buy and necessary decorations, if you choose to use them. Be sure to go back through all of your recipes to be sure you have everything!
#5: Prepare Your Home
Cook and Clean everything you can ahead of time. The more you do in advance, the less you will be worrying about before and during the event. The last thing you want to do is spend the majority of your get together in the kitchen! You should be interacting with your guests, not stuck in front of the stove, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Great dinner options are anything that you can prepare and keep in the fridge until it is ready to cook. Consider making a crockpot, instant pot, or oven friendly recipe. Any sides or appetizers that can be made in advance should be as well.
Have Fun!
Now that you have the basic essentials of party planning, I hope you have fun with it! Take your time, enjoy the planning process, and don’t forget it’s meant to be enjoyable.
If you tend to find yourself stressing over the details of party planning, check out my related post here on Stress-Free Party Planning, where I dive a bit deeper into this party planning process. Afraid your place is too small to entertain? Nonsense! Read how to entertain in a small space to get your hosting confidence on track.
