Not sure how to throw a great party? Have no worries with these tips you will have the recipe for an unforgettable get-together.
Anybody can put together a party but not everyone can throw one that is talked about for months afterward. Tooting my own horn here I have been told by many that my parties are the best they have ever been to. I want to share with you how you can throw a great party.
Read this post and check out the links and find out how to make your next party be the talk of all of your family and friends.
The Beginning of the Best Party Ever
There are two things I really enjoy doing in life. Home decor is what I love to do on a daily basis. Whether it’s changing the color of the walls, rearranging furniture, adding new decor, or home staging a house to sell. I enjoy every aspect of home decor. The next thing is throwing parties. I look for reasons to have a party. This past year I have given a Graduation Party, Retirement Party, Christmas Eve Party, and Christmas Party. Luckily we live in Arizona where the weather is nice and we were able to have parties outside this past year.
Really a party is just another excuse for me to be able to add to and change up my home decor.
At this moment an Easter Party is in the planning stages. Follow along and see how I plan to throw a great Easter party.
If I could I would throw one for every holiday there is. But there isn’t enough time in the year because it does take some time to plan and get ready in order to have one of the best parties anybody has gone to.
The How To Throw a Great Party Ingredients
- Planner
- Date and Time
- Schedule
- Theme
- Invite List
- Invitation
- Food
- Decor Planned
- Decor Bought or Made
- Ask For Help
- Space Prepared
- Set-Up
- Decorate
- Food Preparation
- Food Presentation
- Welcome Guests
Recipe to Throwing The Best Party
Planner
A planner or at least a tablet of paper is needed to have on hand. This is a necessity if you want the party to be a success. The first thing to put in the planner is this list. Tape it or glue it into your planner or tablet of paper. You will be amazed at how helpful it is to have on hand.
Date and Time
Sometimes it’s as easy as picking a date and going with it. That’s what I did for the Easter party. I chose Easter Day. Other times you have to choose the best day that fits your schedule along with the people that are going to be invited depending on the size of the party. If it’s a small get-together you want to make sure everyone can come. A larger party it’s not as important unless you want to make sure certain people can make it.
Take time to question those that will be invited on what day better yet get a couple of dates that are good for them.
This will help make sure your party will be a success.
Schedule
As I mentioned earlier I am planning an Easter party. Here it is early March and Easter is April 17th. There are 5 weeks until the big day. You might not be throwing an Easter party right now but I will give examples of what I am doing for my party. Just for visualization. All parties follow the same steps.
In the planner mark the day that the party will be held. Put the time in a nice bright color that will stand out.
Now find today’s date and count how many weeks or days you have until the party. Write that down on today’s date and then thereafter each week. Once you get down to 10 days mark then mark 5 days.
This will help you keep on track. As we go along through the steps we will be writing down important items to do.
Remember to check your planner daily.
Theme
Figuring out a theme is essential. Every party needs a theme. Even if it’s a just because party a theme needs to be decided on. For example, choose between a formal black, white, and gold party or a casual party with polka dots. Then go from there. It’s fun and adds more of a wow factor to the party.
If you are having a hard time deciding. Take a look at the seasonal decor or party sites to get some ideas. Pinterest is another great place for ideas. Just go to Pinterest.com and type in party ideas.
For example, with the Easter party, I went to Home Goods and Michaels for some ideas. I could go in many different directions. There are cutesy bunnies, crosses, floral, Peter Cottontail, etc.
I chose to go with Springtime animals with a natural aspect. I will have eggs and flowers also but the focus will be on more of a subdued natural tone.
With the theme decided it’s time to move on to the next step.
Invite List
This is the time to decide how big you want the party to be. You can start with a number or you can count up the names you write down. No matter how big or little you need to have an invite list.
Grab your planner and write down the people you want to invite. Remember if you invite let’s say The Ross family write down Ross Family and then under that each member’s name is offset.
This will make sure you have the exact count of people. Make a note next to the name if they are a child.
After all the names are written down go back and count how many people are invited. Make sure you note how many adults and children.
Invitation
It’s up to you what type of invitation you want to send out.
There are paper invites you can mail out, text message, or email, or there are companies like Minted that will send out e-vites for a minimal fee sometimes even free.
The invitation also will let the guest know if it is a formal party or a casual one. You can be more informal with text messages and email and state casual or formal. I suggest if it is formal a paper invitation or e-vites from Minted are the best. The style will help show what is expected. You can also add a black tie or casual attire to the invitation.
Make sure that it is clear that you would like a response to if they or coming or not. Even in a text just add RSVP by text, please.
Invitations should be sent out at least 1 month in advance. Earlier if possible. This gives everyone a chance to schedule their month out around your party not you scheduling around their prior engagements. If you are unable to send them out then just know everyone might not be able to come even if they want to.
Food
RSVPs should be coming in and having an idea of how many people will be attending start planning the food. I like to go to Pinterest and search for a menu item that will impress my guests.
Refer back to the party’s theme and decide if it will be a formal or casual get-together. Your food needs to match the theme. I know this is a lot but it is how to throw a great party. Little details make the party.
Formal= mess-free, elegant food
Casual= Sandwiches, wings, red sauces, etc.
If it’s formal big messy sandwiches are out but small bite-size ones are in.
Chicken breast with a nice marinade is another option that is easy but a crowd-pleaser.
Think about where your guests are going to be eating. Will there be tables for everyone or just chairs? If there will be tables you can go for a more formal meal. If you have just chairs finger foods work great. They are elegant but have no mess involved.
If it’s casual anything goes food-wise. Remember the table suggestion above though.
If you are to make the food yourself choose something that will be easy for you. Easy doesn’t mean unimpressive. It’s all in the presentation and the taste. This falls under the decor category.
Decor Planned
Having the theme chosen and the food decided on it’s time to start looking for party decor.
If the party is taking place in your home or outside your home add the theme throughout. I add small vignettes in with my usual decor. Like the mantel picture above with the bunnies for Easter. This adds to the atmosphere of the party.
Remember these little things are how to throw a great party, not just a party. I like to start doing this a couple of weeks before the party. It’s one less thing to worry about the day of.
Decor Bought Or Made
Start gathering the decor as early as you can. Every time there is a shopping trip look for your theme decor then. Buy one or two items at a time. I go out several times and it is surprising how many different decor pieces there is each time.
Tip
I saw the picture above and thought the handmade decorations were great. So unique to what everyone else would have. Use your imagination and create the party decor.
Add some paper decor like tasteful banners, flowers, and streamers. Balloon bouquets are a great way to add to the party atmosphere. These aren’t just for children’s parties. There are so many elegant decorations out there now. Look online or at a party store for them. I created a post on DIY Party Decorations that will help with decorating ideas.
Tablecloths are another necessity they add to the festivities plus cover up the tables. Both cloth and plastic work.
Find some pieces that are useful also. For example, a cake plate can be used for serving and kept for other parties. A beautiful serving tray is a great way for food presentation. Remember above I said it’s all in the presentation. Food is part of the decor. Matching serving utensils are a must. Clear plastic ones can be found at many party stores for a reasonable price and can also be kept for the next party. These little pieces are how to throw a great party.
Tip:
Little easel chalkboard signs are great to place next to each food item. This way everyone will know what is being served without you having to say it over and over.
Ask For Help
We all think we can do it all by ourselves. Unfortunately, I have found out the hard way. We all need help. especially during the setup. You will be surprised how many people enjoy helping with parties. Just ask and they will come. You won’t regret it because this is how to throw a great party. Remember to think of the helpers by having them a little thank you gift. It doesn’t have to be anything big. It’s the thought that counts.
Space Prepared
Take a look around the space where the party is to take place. Are there any repairs that need to be done? Make sure the area that guests are going to be in is clean. Don’t forget the bathrooms.
If it’s going to be outside does the grass need mowed, or weeded? The patio needs to be free of dirt and debris to make it inviting and also with food involved you will want it to be clean.
Tip:
Lights hanging from above adds great ambiance to a great party.
After the cleaning is done figure out the table set up. If you will be serving food, where and how is the food to be served? Is it a buffet and both sides of the table need space to be walked around or is it to be served as guests walk up by a caterer? Plan the space accordingly.
Now, where are the guests going to eat? Do you want tables for everyone or just chairs with a few tables? I suggest that if you have limited space make sure there are plenty of seating and a few tables. Add some areas where plates and cups can be sat down when necessary.
Don’t forget about the beverage area. Have it available away from the food. This will prevent traffic backup. Limit the number of spills this way.
If it will just be desserts served plan a dessert table then seating for almost everyone. Not everyone needs a chair if dessert will be sitting out on the table. This will help with the mingling of the guests. Keeps everyone up and moving.
Remember Throwing a Party Should Be Fun
Decorate
This begins the fun in my book. Decorating is what brings the atmosphere to the party. Choose it wisely but enjoy.
If it’s casual have fun with the decor and add some whimsy. I enjoy adding decor from around my home to the tables that go with the theme. At Easter, I also bought ceramic bunnies to add to the tables along with paper signs that said Easter Bunny this way. Adding plastic eggs to add some color also was a cheap way to add to the decor. Look for inexpensive items to add to the decor to help your budget.
If I wanted it to be formal I would off gone with two colors that complimented each other like a soft yellow and white for spring. All of the decor would have been in these two colors along with some elegant-colored Easter eggs. You still could buy plastic eggs. There are many different ones out there.
Tip:
If you can’t find the colors you want paint them with some cheap acrylic paint or add decoupage napkins like the picture above. This goes for a lot of decor. By just adding paint it adds a whole new look. If you have a party for the same holiday every year but don’t want the same look try changing things up with paint or adding little embellishments.
Cloth tablecloths add a great touch. Nice dinnerware and serving trays along with something elegant to drink from. In my opinion, the clear plastic stem cups are fine. No breakage this way.
Now balloons are my favorite part of the decor. I try and add them to any party, whether casual or formal. It all depends on the presentation. There are party places that will make bouquets of all kinds. You can also buy kits that give you step-by-step decorations.
Tip
Food can be used as decor also. Everyone loves to eat pretty food.
Food Preparation
Look at your menu and decide when you need to start preparing the food. Some items may need to be premade the day before or even earlier. This is another time that the planner comes in handy. As you make the menu write down in the planner when things need to be prepared. A lot of food items can be made ahead and then finished the day of. Like cupcakes can be made and refrigerated a couple of days beforehand. Decorations can be added to the cupcakes the night before or the day of. If you are making a recipe that calls for many precooked ingredients combined cook up before and then combine on the day of the party. For example Bbq Pork Sandwiches. Cook Pork the day before then add sauces and reheat the day off. Preshred the cabbage for the coleslaw early then combine the ingredients later.
Make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare the food. But make sure what needs to be warm can be served warm. This is where warming trays or small electric crocks come in handy.
Food doesn’t have to be ready when the guests arrive. It’s nice to give people time to settle in and mingle. Just be sure not to miss the party because you are cooking. I buy aluminum pans in bulk and cook the food in them. This is an easy way to store food in the refrigerator and reheat items as needed.
Tip
Asking for help or hiring someone to help with food preparation is a great idea. I always ask for help that way I won’t miss the party because I was in the kitchen.
Food Presentation
Depending on if you are having a formal party or casual there are different ways to present food. For either party having it out on a table is fine. For a casual party, you can serve in the aluminum pans I mentioned earlier or place them on different serving trays.
For a formal party serve them on nice serving trays with beautiful serving utensils.
If you are going really formal you might want someone to serve from the kitchen. Have someone place food on plates and serve them to your guests. This will add to your cost if a budget must be kept. I think it’s just as nice if they can serve themselves from a nicely set table.
This will be your last part of getting ready for the party. I set up my food table with the chalkboard signs where I would like the food to go. This makes it easier when it’s time to put out food and you ask for help. Remember asking for help is how to throw a great party. Putting out the food before the guests arrive is usually not a good idea. You will find that before everyone arrives most of the food might be eaten. Appetizers can be set out for the guests to eat while they are waiting or for the food to be served.
If the cake is part of the decor go ahead and set it out on the dessert table. Usually, guests won’t cut into it early. Smaller desserts will be taken with the meal almost all of the time. So if you want dessert to be served at a later time wait on putting them out.
Greeting Guests
Now is the time to enjoy yourself. Welcome your guests. Make sure you mingle with everyone that came. Make them feel special. If you have different events planned throughout the party have your schedule nearby so they aren’t forgotten about.
Now you have all the ingredients to “How to throw a great party”
Have Fun You Deserve It! You Put A Lot Of Planning Into It.
I hope you enjoyed my post on How To Throw A Great Party. I will be adding more posts with party ideas that add that special touch.
Stay tuned.
Here is another one of my party posts. It’s called Graduation Party Ideas but the tips can go for any kind of party.
