Event Planning Tips * Party Planning Essentials * Planning the Perfect Event

The Party Planning Checklist
By Ella Smart

Does the thought of planning and hosting a party make you want to run in the opposite direction? There's no real reason for it to do so. Whether you are thinking about having a few friends over for dinner, or a formal dinner for 50 - all you really need to be a successful host is a well thought out party planning checklist.

The first section of your checklist should help you develop the budget. Developing your budget allows you to determine how elaborate your party can be.

The second section concerns the size of your party. You need to know about how many people you will be including. Having your budget figures really help here. Knowing what you have to spend can help you start thinking about what kind of party you can have for how many people.

At this point you can balance the size of your budget with the size of the party. This goes a long way towards figuring out whether you want to keep it simple or go all out. At this point you are ready to start planning the specifics of our party.

With a budget figure and the number of people you want to invite you are ready to decide whether you want to have the party at home. You will need to decide this before you make other decisions because you may have to set aside a considerable portion of your budget for rent if you don't hold the party at home.

Once you have covered these items on your checklist you are ready for the fun part - deciding on all the things that make you want to have a party in the first place.

Now you are ready to build the part of the checklist that includes things like deciding on a theme for your party, what food and drinks you want to serve, the music, games - all the things that make your parties unique. Grab a friend or two and brainstorm this part of the checklist. Look for idea in magazines and on the web. You are only limited by your tools and your imagination.

Finally, your checklist needs a time line. Work backwards from the date of the party. You'll need to give your guests a couple of weeks to save the date and RSVP - this will determine when invitations go out. You'll need time to select and schedule a caterer if you are using one. Locations fill up quickly around popular holidays.

Checklists are different for every party and for every host. It's only important that you capture every thing that needs to be done and when to do them. All that's left is to follow the checklist closely and add things as they come up. Keep your checklist close and check it often. It's a sure way to get everything done on time and be ready to have a great party.

Ella Smart is a world class party planner and world traveler who loves to use the ideas she picks up in her travels to plan magnificent parties on a shoe string. Check out her web site, http://www.esmartyparty.info with tons of information on planning and hosting wonderful parties that are even fun for the hosts.

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