How to Host an Amazing Party in Six Easy Steps!
By: Hilary Hart, Tradicao Brazilian Steakhouse
Everyone oohs and aahs over those Pinterest posts that have dazzling dining tables, clever party favors and fabulous desserts. It’ s not as difficult or expensive as you think to create these feats of creativity! However, all the options can be overwhelming to pull together for one cohesive, elegant creation.
You’ ve picked a date, have an idea of the guest count, picked the venue, and are ready to start the fun part of planning decorations and pulling your thoughts together to create the perfect atmosphere!
First Step: Decide on a theme. This is easy if it’ s a baby shower or a child’ s birthday party. You can google and find complete sets of party decorations. It gets a little more difficult if you are hosting an engagement party or ladies dinner party where the options are not quite so focused. Do you envision colorful & fun, elegant & understated or glitzy & glamorous?
Second Step: Choose your colors. Select 2-3 colors that compliment each other and can be paired with other items. If you will have flowers, consider what’ s in season and available colors. If you’ re throwing a party for someone else, do they have a favorite color? Is your party seasonal such as an Easter dinner which celebrates Spring?
Third Step: Invite your guests. Select and order your invitations or design your Evite. You can narrow your search by themes and colors. Or, if you’ re super creative, design your own! You can match your decorating ideas to give a sneak peek of what guests can expect.
Fourth Step: Select decor. Start with the easiest, basic item, linens. Tablecloths, runners or overlays give you the base to begin your creation. You can add linen or satin napkins and / or chair sashes. These are great
for inexpensive pops of colors, usually renting for $ 1- $ 2 each. Before you actually place your order, you will need to have a good idea of your guest count and the shape and size of the tables you will be covering. Many linen companies such as Linens N’ Decor offer dramatic crystal trees with tea lights and other table decor. They can offer their expertise and options that are often very affordable.
Chargers, colored glasses, flowers and candles can also up your game. Think outside the box! If you will have assigned seating, there’ s a lot of fun holders out there. Or, make your own! Pinecones are free and plentiful and can be spray painted to match your colors.
Remember the paper fortune tellers you made in school? You can incorporate these as a place card and a fun game to play at the table!
Fifth Step: Take-Aways & Favors: This is a fun item to commemorate the occasion! Stemless wine glasses, personalized chocolates or cupcakes in cute boxes, and so much more. Try to select an item that someone will enjoy or actually use, not just something to stamp your name onto.
Sixth Step: Place your orders. Items such as linens, flowers, favors and custom cakes / desserts need to be ordered in time to ensure the best options. Talk to your vendors about deadlines for orders, deposits and full payment. Find out if they set up or if you will need to plan time ahead to set up your decor. Allow plenty of time to have a break to get yourself ready to party!
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