Relationships August 14, 2018
Keep your next party smooth sailing.
Planning for your next big event just got a lot easier. With all the chaos that comes with putting together a celebration, you’re bound to forget some party essentials. This party planning checklist will help you get through all your needs and de-stress before all the festivities.
While this may seem like a no-brainer, many people skip this step. Having an actual guest list helps with everything else. If you know who’s coming, you’ll be able to determine how much food, drinks and party favors you’ll need. Making people RSVP is a quick and easy way to get a good estimate on the headcount, and you can always round up for those friends who pop up without notice.
Nothing’s worse than realizing you can’t buy all your party needs due to bad budget planning. Make sure to plan your expenses far in advance, so you can save up and avoid the shock of a high credit card bill.
Buying items in bulk on Amazon or Costco keeps you organized and brings down spending costs. If you like getting creative, doing DIYs can also help reduce expenses.
Having a playlist is just as important as anything else. You want everyone to walk in and immediately vibe out to the music. Nothing’s more embarrassing than having a random folk song interrupt the party flow, leaving you scrambling for something better to play.
Think about who’s coming to your party. Hosts usually play modern pop songs, since anyone can dance to them. For other music genres, Apple Music and Spotify both have curated playlists that can help you find the right songs for your guests.
It’s dreadful, but cleaning up is crucial to parties. If someone threw up on your floor, you don’t want to run to the store in the middle of your event. Make sure you have a surplus of basic cleaning supplies like wipes, toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags.
It’s also important to have multiple garbage cans set up around your house, especially if there’s alcohol. When guests are three shots in, there’s no telling where their trash might end up. Putting bins in every corner lowers the chance of scattered solo cups the next morning.
Shutting down your party early is the worst. Whether you live in an apartment building or neighborhood, it’s always a good idea to let your neighbors know about your plans. That way, nobody calls the police, and they don’t shut your party down. If you’re cool with your neighbors, maybe even invite them over!
No one enjoys themselves when the drinks run out after the first hour. If you’re planning a party with a couple friends, consider splitting the cost with them. That way, the alcohol flows all throughout the night. Definitely something you don’t want to miss on your party planning checklist.
No good party host gets so drunk they can’t function. It’s simply not a good look. Being alert and making sure your guests are having a good time will keep the party fun and under control. Limit yourself to a few drinks so you can make sure you stay aware of what’s going on all night.
It’s also a good idea to make the rounds from time to time to ensure nothing’s broken and nobody’s hurt (or passed out in the bathroom). Make sure to lock any off-limits rooms and belongings to keep your walking around to a minimum.
This list contains pretty straightforward tasks but party hosts often overlook them. This party planning checklist can save you time, money and stress. So take out your planner and get started on that party you won’t forget!
