The Party Countdown: A Week-by-Week Guide to Preparing Your Party

Throwing a party is a hit or miss enterprise. The most well-prepared party can turn into a disaster while some of the most memorable parties you’ll ever attend were thrown together at the last minute. Of course, when it comes to event-based parties such as those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries or welcome-homes, it’s always best to prepare. No amount of planning guarantees success, but it certainly cuts down on the chances of the unexpected. The party countdown is a great way to start planning a party.

The party countdown is simply a timeline during which certain portions of the planning should take place. For instance, party planning at its best should begin at least a month before the actual party. During this stage you should take the time to figure out what kind of party it will be. If you’re thinking of hiring or buying entertainment, this is the time to decide. That way you’ll have a better chance of landing the people or equipment you need and a price you want. Speaking of price, take this time to sit down and actually draw up a budget. 

Decide and stick with how many guests you’ll invite and adjust the budget accordingly. Always give yourself at least a 10% cushion to avoid unexpected budget additions. A 20% cushion would be even better. If you’re going to be needing help of any kind, now is the time to look around start hiring. Once your guest list is complete, go ahead and mail them out with an RSVP. That way you’ll get a better idea of how many guests you’ll actually have.

The next big party countdown begins wwo weeks before the party This is the time to start making your final decisions on what kind of food and drinks you want to serve. Look over the RSVPs you received and take that as your guide to how much you’ll need. This section of the party countdown is also the time to decide on whether the party is going to have a bar, buffet, or sit-down meal. Go to the store during this period and get your utensils, napkins, cups, glasses, decorations, and any other supplies.