The Planning Process

Planning a party can be a daunting task, however following checklist can make the process a piece of cake!

At least three weeks before the party:

• Make an invitation list keeping in mind who you are hosting the party for as this will influence where the party will be held either indoors or outdoors and the type of guest you will be having, such as an all girl slumber party or and all boy ultimate superhero party.
• Decide on a theme for your party, when a decision is made determine if the decorations will be bought or if they can be borrowed from a friend or family member. Themes also have an  influence on your menu, because if your child wants a spider man themed party a spider man cake may be in order.  
• Send out the invitations this can be done via email, regular mail and by phone. Invitations can also be done according to the theme of your party and personalized for each guest.  
• Source the suppliers for acts or props such as the bouncy castle, bubble blower, cotton candy maker and special appearances by characters. 
• Plan a menu for the food you will serve. Therefore you will have to get your recipes together and choose the ones that can be prepared before hand and make a shopping list, also some items may need to be done professionally so making a trip to your local baker will not hurt.
• Consideration should also be given to whether or not help will be needed to clean up
  
  
  after the party clearly identifying who will be assisting with the job.

One week before the party:

• Determine your playlist, ensuring that the music is age appropriate and upbeat lasting the duration of the party.
• Start preparing any food items that can be frozen and stored.
• Clean your home so that, the day before the party only a light sprucing up will be needed.
• Take an inventory of your serving dishes, ensuring that there are enough serving dishes for the items you will be offering and stock your bar as the adults accompanying the children will be grateful to have a drink.

Two days before the party:

• Inform the neighbors as music tends to become loud and parking arrangements may be tricky.
• Check your medicine cabinet and remove any items you may not want your guest to see.
• Finish grocery shopping and make a schedule to complete any outstanding dishes.
• Set up clean up stations; stocking them with baking soda, salt and rags for clothing stains.

One day before the party: 

• Decorate and spruce up the home.
• Do as much cooking as you can.
• Set the tables or set up the buffet.

The day of the party:

• Finish the cooking.
• Place the chairs.
• Display the food and greet the guest as they arrive.

Following these steps can help you to smoothly pull off your child's wonderful party, so that you can also enjoy the party, greeting guest playing games and having fun with your friends and family.

What do you think about the steps given above?