Friday, December 26, 2008

Throwing The Perfect Party

By Carol Ann

Throwing a party should be a happy event, but for many of us it can be stressful. We all want our guests to have a good time, and assuring the party is a success can be tricky. Successful parties can be an easy feat, and it all comes down to the planning. You'll need to consider music, the theme and the menu. Consider the guest list and even decorations. Here are some helpful party planning ideas for your next big event.

THE GUEST LIST, INVITATIONS & THEME: Whatever theme you choose for your party, whether it is a birthday party, a bridal shower, or even a murder mystery party, stick to your theme and build your party around that basic idea. There are many great party ideas on the internet, but most importantly don't think too hard. This should be easy and fun. Inviting only people who know each other is not an ingredient for a successful party. The guest list should be mixed up a little bit, so that people can meet and get to know one another. Your guest list is important to your party's success. Invitations frequently are sent via emal e-vites these days and it has become an accepted form of invitation. If you feel that inappropriate, a card in the mail is never a bad idea.

DECORATIONS & FOOD: Again, be sure to keep it simple. If you get too elaborate, what will happen is you will spend too much time working to pull the party off and not enough time enjoying the party and the people. Finger foods are great for a party. This way everyone can pick as they go. If you are planning a meal, then make it buffet style, this serves for better socialization and you can make some pasta dishes and put them over some sterno to keep them warm while people mingle. This will save you from having to run back and forth to the kitchen. Decorate to the theme, but don't go over board. A nice touch is having something festive in the entry way and in the party room itself. If you over do, once filled with people, they really won't appreciate the hard work you put in. A festive themed centerpiece works great as well as having everyone dress the part. If you do this, your guests themselves will be the decorations, which will save you time and money.

KEEP IT STRUCTURED: Music is an excellent atmosphere enhancer. Choose music that is theme appropriate, yet not too loud. It should be heard, but not necessarily noticed. As host, you will be responsible for breaking the ice by making introductions between those who haven't met. And be prepared for those scary lulls that sometimes happen. Try to have some simple ideas to jump-start the crowd up your sleeve just in case you need to.

All parties should have a scheduled beginning and ending time. The best time to address this is on the invitations. This helps people know what to expect and when it is time to leave. If your party is too long, it will start to drag and you want to it end on an upbeat tone. Making your party about two to four hours long is usually a good formula for success. Overall, the key to success lies in the planning. Consider these ideas and you're sure to pull off a great event.

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