You guys, I am super excited about this week’s post. As you all know by now, I love planning parties. It checks all the boxes for me – it’s fun, relaxing, and challenging all at the same time. Within the first month of my kid’s lives, I was already planning their first birthday party (I went with “Winter-ONE-derland” and “Some BUNNY is turning ONE” for the themes).
This week I’ve partnered with Basic Invite to bring you 10 party planning tips and tricks that everyone needs to know. I just know that you will take away at least one tip that will make your party planning ventures a little bit easier and a little more enjoyable.
Basic Invite:
Truly Custom Invitations
Before I get to the party planning tips and tricks, let me first talk a little bit about Basic Invite. Basic Invite has been creating the perfect card for every event since 2006. Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 . Now, here are a few more details about his awesome company:
Almost Unlimited Colors. Basic Invite is one of the few websites that offers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design, you can change the color of each element on the card. With over 180 colors to choose from, the invite is sure to be exactly how you want it. This is what sets them apart from almost any other online stationery company.
Custom Samples. Basic Invite is one of the few websites that offers a printed sample of your actual invitation before you place your final order. You can make sure the card is absolutely perfect.
Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes. Basic Invite has over 40 different envelope colors to choose from. With so many options, you can make your envelope match the invitation. All of the envelopes are peel and seal, so they can be closed quickly and securely.
Address Capturing Service. Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows you to share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media to request your friends and family’s addresses. The addresses are stored in your account and can be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders.
Foil. Foil cards are available in gold, silver, and rose gold. Flat or raised foil is available on all of Basic Invite’s foil designs.
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Party Planning Tips
1. Pick A Theme
You know me, I live for a good theme. In my opinion, the theme is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of the party planning process. The theme dictates what kind of invitations you choose, the snacks you serve, and the decorations you hang. Once you pick the theme everything starts to fall into place.
Definitely check out The UltimateList Of Birthday Party Themes For Kids for a little inspiration.
2. Invitations
Once you’ve got the theme, next you can get started on the invitations. Nowadays a lot of people tend to lean on social media to invite people to parties. The problem with social media invites is that unless the event planner sends a reminder (or two or three) it completely slips my mind.
I love printed invitations. Printed birthday party invitations are where it’s at as far as I’m concerned. They are easy to tuck into a day planner or stick on a bulletin board. Also, it’s fun to get mail that isn’t a bill, am I right?
As I mentioned earlier, I partnered with Basic Invite to bring you my favorite party planning tips. I did so because I love their products! They have something for every occasion imaginable. There are basic invite kids birthday party invitations, but also turning 30 invitations, wedding invitations, and holiday cards just to name a few!
3. Party Time
Think about the age of those who will be attending. Is it for a child’s birthday party? Does the guest list include a lot of families who have young children? I say this because naptime is a big factor for a lot of people, especially those who have young kids.
If you are planning a party for your child, another thing to consider is when is he/she is in the best mood. Don’t schedule your child’s birthday party when he/she is usually taking a nap.
Also, the time of the party indicates what kind of food and drink will be provided. Anytime a party is scheduled during mealtime, a meal is going to be expected.
In my opinion, a late afternoon party is perfect. Anyone who needed a nap has had the opportunity to take one. Plus, seeing as how it is late afternoon, cake and drinks will be all that is expected. Anything extra will just be considered a bonus.
4. Store Bought Cakes
One of my favorite time-saving, stress-preventing party planning tips is to buy a plain grocery store sheet cake and decorate it yourself. It’s basically starting with a blank canvas! You still get the feel (and credit, sort of) of “making” the cake, but you don’t have any of the fuss or worry about whether the cake will turn out or not.
A few awesome decorating tips include:
- Gently melt a tub of store-bought frosting in the microwave. Pour over the cake to create a fondant-like appearance.
- Use a toothpick to stencil a design onto the cake to create a guide.
- Use Ziploc bags as piping bags
- Think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to use non-edible items like toys to decorate with.
- Get creative with cookies, candies, and other food items to achieve the exact look you are going for.
5. Freeze Scoops Of Ice Cream Ahead Of Time
This is a time-saving hack if I ever saw one. Place cupcake wrappers in a muffin tin. Place a single scoop of ice cream inside each wrapper. Place in freezer. The ice cream is now already portioned and ready to go once the party starts.
A benefit of this “pre-scooping” method is that you already know how many servings you have, so you don’t risk running out. You also don’t have to wrestle with the frozen ice cream tub during the party.
6. Cut Ice Cream Instead Of Scooping
Another ice cream serving hack is to cut the ice cream with a knife rather than scooping it. This is especially helpful when trying to make ice cream sandwiches.
7. Use Marshmallow Inside Ice Cream Cones
Place a mini marshmallow down inside the waffle cone before filling it with ice cream to prevent dripping from the bottom of the cone.
8. Use Frozen Fuit to Chill Juice or Beverages
Using frozen pieces of fruit to chill cocktails is a pretty standard practice, however frozen fruit can be used to chill any type of beverage.
The best fruits to use are those with high water content because they stay frozen longer. Reach for members of the melon family (water melon, cantaloup, and cucumbers). Other fruit works, too, but melons freeze better and stay frozen longer than other fruits do. All fruit looks beautiful, so you can’t go wrong.
If you are serving punch in a giant bowl you can even create an ice ring for the punch by layering different fruits in a bundt pan then pouring a mixture of fruit juices and water over the top. Once full, place in freezer until its time ito prepare the punch.
9. Butcher Paper Table Cloth
I love using butcher paper or kraft paper as a table cloth, especially for children’s parties. It gives your guests something to do during the party and it makes for super easy clean up.
Butcher paper also works great for a buffet table. Each dish can be labled directly onto the table cloth.
10. Plastic Table Cloths Aren't Just For Tables
Plastic table cloths are amazing to use as for decorations. I’m talking the cheap plastic table cloths you get at any dollar store. These things can be draped in SO MANY ways to create some really unbelievable spaces. Think circus tent type designs, gigantic garlands, an under the sea display, or a rainbow wall. It’s an inexpensive product that covers a lot of surface area.
More Party Planning Info
For more party planning information and inspiration, check out one of these posts:
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