Working As a Family to Create a Party Plan

Approaching party planning as a family can yield great results while creating fun memories even before the party begins.

Start planning earlier than you think
You already know how a week can feel like it passes in the blink of an eye -- begin having conversations about an upcoming party at least 6-8 weeks before the big day.  Leave your family plenty of time to ensure it can pull together the details the honoree wants and also to allow the honoree to establish realistic expectations.  Building in extra buffer time is also a great way to reduce the stress that can go along with throwing a party.
 
Determine a budget
Special celebrations may commemorate a big event, or act as a reward for an achievement.  Then again, some families routinely prefer a more low-key get together for a variety of reasons.  Take a look at your budget before handling any other party details to determine what looks reasonable and be honest with your children about it.  Older children may be willing to use their allowance to cover the costs of some extras (like a candy buffet, new dance music, or an upgrade in party location), so be sure to include them in this part of the conversation.

Decide on a theme
The child being celebrated typically has some strong ideas about a theme for a party, but brainstorming as a family might reveal a unique twist on a familiar theme.  Young children can be incredibly creative while older children will have heard about party details or locations through the grapevine that might otherwise go unnoticed.  Encourage everyone to toss out ideas and you may come up with your most fun, unique party yet.

Consider whether to include siblings at a party
Some siblings consider each other their closest friends and would never dream of partying without them.   However, depending on the type of party or time of day, siblings may have a more relaxed, enjoyable time away from the celebration with a parent or caregiver than attending a rowdy party during nap time, for example.  The honoree might also appreciate celebrating with friends and then again later at home with a family party.  Be sure to have something special planned on the day of the party for non-attending siblings who may have a hard time with the decision.

Choose a date and time
If siblings will attend the party, consider your family’s best time of day. Some families thrive in the early morning, relying on nap time in the afternoon.  Other families will need to consider sports schedules and might find a party toward the end of the day suits them best.  Don’t forget to coordinate with at least one high priority guest if your child can’t imagine a party without their best friend there!

The main factor in successfully creating and executing a party plan as a family is to work together and try to keep the stress level before and during the party as low as possible.  When everyone in the family is committed to making it a special day for the honoree, it is sure to be an outstanding event.
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Ask The Party Planner is a biweekly blog written by Laura Floyd, owner of Laura Floyd Events, LLC (www.LauraFloydEvents.com).