Hey Ladies,
No I'm not a mom, but I do work with many many moms and one of the biggest challenges I've seen is planning events and parties. I thought I'd stop in and offer any advice that you might find helpful. I'm a balloon artist and decorator. I've done all sorts of events and love giving advice (what can I say except I have a big mouth. So if you have any questions please ask. I make no promises, but I'll do what I can.
Here are five tips to get you started.
1.Use non-perishable items for left overs. Most of the time I've noticed that only 50% of invited guests arrive at events. You don't want to spend a fortune on food and treats just to throw most of it a way. Chips, cookies and any other packaged snack is great because it can be re-boxed and used for several weeks after the event. 2. Over plan for the number of guests. There are always exceptions to the 50% rule. Sometimes more guests show up than expected. This can be because word spread about your fabulous parties or some guests forgot to RSVP. In any case it is always better to be have an abundance of seating, food, and parking just in case. 3. Use themes to create a fun atmosphere and increase party flow. Themes are a great way to relieve stress. They can help focus your energy for the event and usually find many of the items related to that theme in a specific area. When it comes to themes think outside the box. I've been to so many kids parties with pirates and princess that I want to tell Sleeping Beauty to go back to bed for a few more years. Your can create a theme around anything. One of my favorite ways to choose a theme is to choose a specific country. This offers a lot of great party favors and can be educational for the guests as well. 4. Double your prep time. Stuff happens, and you need to have time to deal with it. If you double the time you think it will take to get everything done you might just have time to actually do it. 5. Relax, it is a party after all. Whether its paper plates of fine china really doesn't matter in the end. People love to get together. If everything doesn't go perfect it will be okay. If you do not tell them they might not ever know that the pizza you served was suppose to be a five course meal. I hope these tips help you plan your next great event.