General Party Planning Tips

Preparation Time Line

3-4 weeks before the party:

• Determine theme/occasion for party
• Establish a budget
• Create a guest list
• Send invitations
• Plan, select and buy decorations
• Plan, select and buy tableware pattern
• Prepare menu and grocery list
• Select and hire caterer/serving help (if needed) or organize friends and family to help
• Book Bouncy Castle, Face Painter or Clown etc
• Order your balloon bouquets from Party Mad
• Order DJ
• Order Birthday Cake

2-3 days before the party:

• Call the guests who have not responded
• Buy groceries and beverages
• Prepare items that can be made in advance

1 day before the party:

• Clean house, party room, or party site
• Set up and arrange party site
• Thaw frozen party foods
• Set out serving pieces
• Coordinate last minute arrangements with caterers/servers or anyone making deliveries such as flowers or balloons

The day of the party:

• Decorate party room or have Party Mad do it for you
• Prepare and arrange remaining food
• Mentally "travel through" party
• Relax and enjoy!

Theme

Choosing a theme for your party can help create a focus when choosing a tableware pattern, invitations, decorations, games/activities, and food. It also helps create a sense of fun and expectation.  e.g Hollywood, Wild West or Hawaiian.

Creating a Guest List

The real secret to a successful party lies with the guest list, because it's the people who make the party.

How many to invite - Logic says that if the party will be held outdoors or in a large party room a big list is fine; if space is limited, keep the list small to ensure that everyone will be comfortable.

Invitations

• Occasion (Birthday, Retirement, Engagement, etc.)
• Date and Day
• Starting and Ending Time
• Place (include directions and a map)
• Details/Theme ("Surprise" or "Costume Party")
• Attire (Black Tie, Casual, Beach, Costume)
• RSVP or "the favor of a reply is requested". (To improve response, include more than one phone number, and even an e-mail address.)

Decorations

Your decorations help create the all important atmosphere for your event. Additionally, think of decorations as giving your party flair, enhancing the mood and lifting the spirits! It is what transforms an ordinary room into another place or time.  

Games and Activities

Fun games or activities can really make a party unique. To begin with, they help "break the ice" by getting people to become better acquainted. They also help to liven up a party. If there will be winners, make sure you have prizes.

Entertainment is an alternative to games and activities. Hire a musician, comedian, magician, band, DJ, dancers, or even a local celebrity, to entertain your guests.

Smart Party Tips

• Guest proof the party location (remove breakables, dangerous substances or tools). Move pets to a safe place to protect them and your guests.
  
• Have an alternate "bad weather" plan for outdoor events. If critters or  are a problem, burn citronella candles.
  
• If the party is outside, serve drinks in cups rather than cans to keep bees from climbing inside. Also consider paper and plastic rather than glass.
  
• If serving buffet-style, set up plates at the beginning of the table and place utensils and napkins at the end so no one has to juggle while filling their plate. Also, if you have a lot of people, consider forming two lines, one at each end and working towards the middle.
  
• Always provide a non-alcoholic version of special beverages for designated drivers and non-drinkers.

• Use of disposable party supplies enables you to enjoy the party instead of spending time in the kitchen cleaning up.
  
• Strategically place trash containers around the party room. Clearly mark recycling bins.

Our shop carries over 100 different balloons in various shapes, sizes and colors, including your favorite licensed characters. The styles are really fantastic and you can create your own balloon bouquets or let us help you create a custom one just for your event.

For further information please contact us 01-6247831