Birthdays are special moments. Apart from the fact that they are celebrated just once a year, they are also a time to be grateful for life and look forward to a new year through the eyes of hope. It is also a time when family and friends come together in honor of the birthday celebrant. Organizing a birthday party for a friend does not have to be a Herculean task. Here are a few tips to help you organize the birthday party your friend will forever remember.
Set A Budget
Whether you are planning a small party with just a few friends or a grand party with 200 guests, it is crucial to draw up a budget. It should include all expenses and help you plan properly. It is easy to get swayed by all the excitement that comes with planning a birthday party, but a budget keeps your impulses in check and ensures that you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Include the cost of everything: the venue, the food, the decor and the activities. Also, remember to make room for any contingencies and miscellaneous expenses that come up.
Choose The Perfect Birthday Gifts
Birthday gifts are like the icing on the cake. They make the celebrant feel loved and appreciated. Encourage all invitees to come with a birthday present to the party. Alternatively, you can gather resources from each invitee and purchase a larger birthday present for your friend. There are different approaches to birthday gifts. There are gifts that you present during the party, such as flowers, jewelry, or electronic gadgets. Or, you can combine different birthday gifts into a basket, such as flowers, a card, and a nice bottle of wine.
There are other gifts that may not be presented on the same day, but are equally appreciated. An example is booking a luxurious treatment at a spa for you and your friend to enjoy together. Alternatively, you can get a subscription box package, which you can personalize to be delivered weekly, monthly or quarterly, according to your choosing.
Set The Best Date
The next thing to consider is the date for the party. Should the party be held on your friend’s day of birth? Will everyone invited be able to make it, especially if it is on a weekday? Will people have to travel from another city to the venue? These are questions you can ask yourself in the planning process. As much as it would be great to have the best birthday party on your friend’s actual birthday, it may be more convenient to choose another date.
Check The Weather
As insignificant as this might seem, it is essential to check the weather forecast for the day of the party. This can help you prepare for issues and come up with a backup plan. What will you do if you are having an outdoor party and it starts to rain? Keeping an eye on the weather can also help you choose which decorations will be best, depending on what the weather brings.
Pick A Great Venue
A great venue can set the whole mood for the birthday party. The number of people attending the party and the activities to be held during the party are some things to consider when choosing a venue. Is there a particular place that is really special to your friend? You can consider using that as a venue for the party, keeping in mind your budget and the weather expected around that time. The venue also determines what kind of decorations to choose. Some venues require little decoration, while others may require a whole makeover.
Decide On A Theme
Themed birthday parties have become quite popular in recent years, even for adults. In deciding whether to organize a birthday party around a particular theme, the interests of your friend should be taken into account. Is he an avid fan of a specific TV show? Does he love to play any sports? Is she in love with the 80s? Birthday parties are supposed to be fun. Feel free to explore your creative side to create a memorable event.
Send Invitations
A crucial way to know how many people will be at the party is by sending invitations out. It is popular to send digital invitations nowadays, and it also saves a lot of time and money for you. Invitations should be sent at least two weeks before the birthday party. It is vital to make sure that the invitation has all the necessary details. If it is a surprise birthday party, include that in the invitation. Go through all the details to make sure there are no mistakes or misinformation. There are thousands of templates for digital invitations available online, and many of them are free. Choose the best one suitable for the birthday party if you cannot design one on your own.
Assign A Master of Ceremony
If you are planning a big event, it can be helpful to have someone designated as the MC. He or she will be the director of the party, and will make sure the event takes place as planned. Be careful when choosing your MC. A boring MC means a boring birthday party. Be sure to provide this person a detailed outline of the party before it starts.
Prepare The Food
Food is an extremely important part of the birthday party. What’s a birthday party without great food and drinks? Make provisions for enough food and drinks for all the guests. If possible, order or make a little more than the number of people you are expecting. Take into consideration any allergies the birthday celebrant or other guests may have. The last thing you want during the party is a hospital emergency. The birthday cake should be ready at least an hour before the party starts. Make sure drinks are put in the fridge or in a cooler hours before the party starts so they are cold and ready to go.
Get The Timing Right
In planning, include what time the party will start and when it is supposed to end. To make this easy, draw a program and include all the activities for the party. Allot an amount of time to all the activities for the day. In order not to bore your guests, make sure the program outline is realistic. Too many activities can take the spotlight from the birthday celebrant, while too few can have guests mingling around, wondering what to do next.
Plan The Activities
Decide what kind of activities you want to have. These activities should be fun, exciting and inclusive for all guests. If there will be children at the party, plan for a few child-friendly games or activities as well. Games, treasure hunts or a simple coloring table are a good way to go. The time allotted for the party should be taken into consideration. You can ask other friends or family of the birthday celebrant for ideas and help.
Play Great Music
Music has a way of creating an ambiance for a party. You don’t necessarily have to book a DJ, but if it fits into your budget, you should definitely do that. You can create a playlist with all of your friend’s favorite songs, and don’t forget to add some party songs that are great for dancing. Depending on the number of people attending the party, get speakers that will produce quality sound, perfect for a birthday party.
Make It All About Your Friend
Make your friend’s birthday special by giving him or her the celebration of their lifetime – this is the best gift you can give. It doesn’t have to be stressful. Planning effectively will get the job done. Even during a lockdown, you can still celebrate your friend’s birthday successfully. Don’t forget that the birthday party is about your friend and you should not let anything else be a distraction.
Try and plan some time during the party where guests can have a chance to say something about the birthday celebrant. Make people share how they met, their best memories, and their thoughts about the celebrant. Your friend will love hearing everyone’s memories and they will certainly make him or her feel loved.
*collaborative post