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Be honest – we have all considered hosting an event and then immediately said to ourself – “I don’t have time for this!” Life can get very busy, very fast. From work, to family, to trying to get dinner on the table, the last thing we want to do is plan and spend money on something that will keep you away from time spent doing what you love. Good thing for you – you have us.
This is exactly what Clink. Cheers. Celebrate. is here to solve – no more stressing about details and cost thanks to our numerous party ideas (like our 90’s Birthday Party – it’s “totally rad”). Despite our helpful posts for your next party idea , we recognize that there is still more to it than that. You have to decide the where, and the when, and the who – and on, and on, and on. Well we have more good news, because we have a quick outline below that will help you organize your thoughts and host with confidence!
We put these in order of what we would suggest the best steps to plan your event to be, but keep in mind that a lot of these steps rely on previous or next steps, and if you have a limiting factor (i.e. your party budget, or the size of the venue) then move that to the top of the list.
First things first, where are you going to host? The obvious budget-friendly option is your home (or the home of a close friend or family willing to assist) because that has zero cost. Keep in mind some other options though – like local parks (weather permitting). A lot of them have outdoor space that require no reservation or cost, and some even have covered spaces that you can reserve for free or for a very small fee.
“The when” may tie in closely with the purpose of your event. If it is a birthday party, then obviously find a time that works for you and the birthday boy/girl on or around their birthday. Holiday parties might be on the actual holiday, or the weekend prior to the actual holiday. One thing we do suggest – as host, look at your calendar first. It can be difficult at times to navigate multiple calendars depending on who you want there, so recognize that you need to find a time that works for you (and whoever you are celebrating if it is an event like a birthday, graduation, bridal shower, etc), and not everyone you invite will be able to make it.
The guest list may be dependent on many factors – the venue size, the purpose of the event, your budget. Be mindful of any limiting factors before finalizing this list and sending out invites.
Picking a theme is our favorite part of hosting (obviously), and should be yours too! This is where you can get creative and have some fun. It might seem like you don’t need a theme, but a good theme can provide a finished-touch to your event, and it does not have to take a lot of time or cost a lot of money!
Budget will likely be on the forefront of a lot of people’s minds when planning a party – and for good reason. This may need to be at the top of your checklist, as it can influence every item on this list. That is why we focus so much on budget-friendly party ideas! Decide your budget, and stick to it. If you only have the money to spend on necessities, then make every purchase count by coordinating your colors, designs, and prints. You don’t have to spend a lot for your party to look cohesive and put-together. If budget is not a stress point, then take your time picking items that will really bring the party together. Over-doing it with decorations is a thing as well.
Food and drink is last on our checklist as it is dependent on a lot of previous steps. How many people will be eating? Do you want to food to match the theme? How much can you spend on food? Keep in mind that less can be more sometimes, and pairing your food with your theme can be a classy and easy touch to bring the whole party together. Opt for intentional food items, as in the end this may actually save you money by not over-buying and ending up with four bags of Lays in your pantry. Our food and drink calculator below can help determine how many servings of each item you may want to consider having.
One touch that we can’t resist for our parties is serving up an easy and yummy cocktail (or mock-tail) for your guests. That is why we have a whole page on quick cocktail recipes for your next event (and bonus – if you find a theme on our website you like, that all have a paired cocktail recipe so you don’t have to do any searching).
Now pull out your planner and get to planning! Hosting does not have to be a point of stress. If you want a little more help, check out our FREE Party Planning Guide that you can print and write down those ideas in that brilliant head to get your next event going!
Cheers!