At some point in most people’s adult lives, they realize that they need to know how to plan a party. Parents often have a lot of experience in this area, ranging from parties celebrating baby showers, bachelor parties, kids’ parties, theme parties, weddings, and many more. http://www.topweddingsites.com/ But if you have never actually had to plan a real party of your own before, it can seem daunting. This informative page will give you the basic steps necessary to successfully plan and then host your own party.

Most parties have a reason for happening, or a “party theme”. http://www.gourmetspot.com/dinnerpartyfeature.htm You can find many web pages on how to plan specific theme parties, then take party-planning tips from their “How To” party pages. But the first thing you need to be is clear about is why you are having a party and who or what you are celebrating. If you can put the event into very specific terms for yourself, that’s the first and most important element in beginning your party planning. http://www.mypartyplanner.com/

Once you are clear on your “theme,” or the reason for your event, the rest of the party-planning steps can be adapted to the occasion. The party basics are the same in every case. There is a cardinal rule that can make or break your party: do not skimp on the food and beverages. http://www.reasontoparty.com/quantities.htm Always have plenty of food and drinks. Here are your categories:

• Appetizers and Snacks • Main Meal • Dessert • Drinks

Guest List:

For most parties, only a particular group of all the people you know are suitable to invite as guests. For instance, if you need to plan a bachelor party, that basically eliminates every woman or girl in your address book. http://www.bachelorpartyfun.com/ Start by thinking of who all the guests who should be invited.

Make a list of the names of the invitees. On the list, add columns. Have the top of the columns read, “Person,” “Yes,” “No,” and “How Many.” The reason for Yes and No is that it will help you keep track of who all has responded. The term RSVP is widely misunderstood. It is French – “répondez, s'il vous plaît” – “please respond.” http://people.howstuffworks.com/question450.htm Most people these days will inform you that they are RSVPing to your invitation, meaning they plan on attending. Times have changed, along with the meaning of the term.

With your itemized list, you will know how many people are coming and who has yet to respond. You may need to make a few last-minute phone calls or emails to confirm some of your guests. Give yourself and your guests sufficient time between sending the invitation and the party date.

Invitations:

If your party has a very specific theme, like “Mardi Gras,” it’s easy to find lots of party supplies, decorations and invitations at the major party stores – either online or at their retail locations. If your theme is not so specific, such as a “Welcome to Town” party, you may have a tough time finding ready-made invitations. In this case, or if you’re just feeling creative and want to make your own no matter what, simply make the invitations yourself. There are alternatives.

Think about whether it’s acceptable to send an email invitation. If you can create and attach a graphic version of the invitation, all the better. Guests can print it out. The benefit of email invitations is that as soon as guests “reply,” you’ll be able to start your guest list “RSVP” count.

A wonderful online invention is the “e-vite.” http://www.evite.com/ There are a few different sites. Go online and have a look to see if it suits your party planning needs, because the offerings range from invitations to party ideas to supplies, and will help you keep an automated account of various elements of your party, especially if you are inviting guests with emails.

If the event you are planning absolutely calls for a paper, mailed invitation, you’ll need to determine the best way to do so. You may have to go all the way to hand-written note cards, and sealing envelopes, and applying stamps. Check some “invitation etiquette” sites to make sure. http://www.emilypost.com/weddings/etiquette/postings/email.htm

No matter what the nature of the party, it is highly unusual to throw one without food and beverage. This can range all the way from very casual snacks to a formal sit-down dinner party. Once again, think about the nature of the event and/or your theme. If you are emailing a list to some buddies for a “Come Over and Watch the Game” party, that’s one end of the [[casual spectrum]. You have two options – plan, purchase and provide all the food and beverages yourself, or plan a version of what’s know as a “potluck” party. This term has evolved over the years to mean that your guests are bringing a food and/or beverage item with them. This is very important. Do NOT leave it up to your guests to guess what to bring, or you will wind up with six platters of tortilla chips and salsa, and that’s it. You need to gently coordinate and give assignments. It’s one or the other. Do it yourself, or delegate. For a potluck-style party, start a list. http://www.businessformtemplate.com/preview/Potluck_Sign_Up_Sheet

You can send the invitation and not mention food and drink at all. Or, you can send the invitation and mention that it’s a “potluck.” http://www.dotcomwomen.com/food/entertaining/potluck-party.shtml Or, you can send an invitation to a formal catered dinner party. The possibilities are numerous. For a model to follow, let’s say it is a Watch the Game party, and you have decided to take care of the food yourself. Keep in mind that guests will be at your house (or wherever the party location is) for quite awhile. Remember, do not be stingy with the food and beverage.

For every party, always have food and beverage ready when your guests arrive. This is very important. Even if the party is potluck, place some “seed food” out first. Here’s why. If the first guest to arrive is bringing a six-pack of beer, he or she is going to need something to eat. Be prepared. Even if it’s as simple as bowls of chips and dip, pretzels, carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing, miniature hotdogs with mustard and toothpicks, have at least four items ready to go for when the first guest arrives. If it’s not a potluck, you’ll need to think of more appetizers and/or snacks, of course. http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,easy_party_snacks,FF.html If yours is a serious theme party, like Mardi Gras, you may want to research the appetizers they serve in New Orleans.

From the simplest of snacks to the most lavish dinner affair, do not let your guests arrive to an empty table. The same rule applies to beverages. If all you plan to serve is beer and/or wine, have some ready. If others are bringing beer and wine as well, fine. The food and beverages will increase as guests attending a potluck arrive with their offerings. It should not be a problem if you wind up with some leftovers. The absolute worst thing that can happen is that you run out of food and beverage. This is unacceptable, so be responsible in providing enough, or asking for enough “volunteer” food and drink.

If someone asks, “What can I bring?” you have two responses – “Nothing, just bring yourself!” implying that you will be hosting the food and beverage. If you intend to let guests help out, be armed and ready with a your potluck list. “What can I bring?” “It would be great if you brought a bag of chips, Jeff.” “Cool.” Write that down on your list. Jeff – chips. This way, you will know the next time someone asks “What can I bring?” that you are covered for chips. Ask them if they will bring (for example) a bottle of red wine or a dessert. If the Wilsons offer to bring two bottles of red wine, write it down. Wilsons – two bottles of red. If Leslie says that she will be bringing a big batch of her grandma’s famous brownies, write it down. Leslie – brownies. You get the idea. This will avoid duplication and help round out the menu. http://numsum.com/spreadsheet/show/80812

A party may be appropriate for appetizers and snacks alone. Likewise, it may be appropriate for just dessert and champagne (for example), if that’s what you have specified. If your party is going to be something like a full-blown luau or anything in between, you will need to plan a main meal in between the snacks and the desserts. Barbeque burgers and hotdogs yourself, or let someone else volunteer to do that and make a big bowl of potato salad. These are just examples of ideas based on what you will need to offer for your party – a casual get-together, a sizeable and lengthy gathering, or a formal affair. The categories and planning remain basically the same.

Music/Audio:

You may be planning your party around an event – watching the game, hosting a baby shower, a going-away party – countless party possibilities. No matter what, from a one-year-old’s birthday party to a 60th anniversary party, there need to be two very important elements included. One is music/audio. http://www.theydeserveit.com/songs/party-songs/ The other is an activity and/or party game. http://www.party411.com/gameguide.html

If the gang is coming over to watch the game, you automatically have something to listen to before, during and after the game with the pre-game show, the game, and the post-game wrap-up. But what if you feel like turning off the television after the game, let’s say after the appetizers, and it’s time for the main barbecue. Be prepared with music. What does the music need to provide?

• If it’s a champagne and dessert party you are planning (for example), you might consider classical music in the background. Very theme-appropriate. http://www.classicalcdguide.com/

• If it’s a movie night party, you might also want to add music before and/or after the movie, but it should be appropriate, perhaps based around the movie.

• If people are sitting down to dinner and chatting, loud party music is going to interfere with the conversation. Save upbeat party music for after dinner, and provide softer tones during the meal.

The only bottom-line rule is that a party in silence is not a party. You need music/audio to be included, right down to live entertainment, if that’s what you have planned.

Activities and Games:

Hardly anyone is so very adult that they are content to attend a lengthy party without something to do. In some cases, such as a wine and cheese tasting party, the activity is built in; tasting the wine and cheese. That takes care of the food as well. If you’re watching the game, you’re set for the main activity. But the barbeque – the change of pace – breaks up the party with something new. You might also consider a football pool. That’s what you’re aiming for – break up the party with a change of pace.

If you’re hosting a baby shower or a party of that type, many party games will be expected, so go onto the Internet and find as many party game ideas as you can. Ask friends to help, especially if they’ve been to a baby shower or hosted one themselves. http://www.babyshower101.com/baby_shower_games.html

If it’s a party where you’re planning dancing with or without live music, there’s your activity. If the party involves gifts, opening the gifts at the party can provide an activity. If your party has a very specific theme, you can once again do your research and see what’s suitable. For instance, if you’re planning a Western party, you might pick up an instructional video on How To Swing Dance or How To Line Dance. http://www.linedancelessons.com/ If one of your guests is already good at it, they can help the others learn.

Parties that are excellent for entertainment purposes are luaus, because you have games like limbo. Karaoke parties provide the activity of singing and the entertainment of listening to it. Parties to celebrate a holiday, like Halloween, provide a wealth of possibilities.

With these guidelines, have a great party!