Party Planning Checklist

Planning a party can quickly become overwhelming if you are unsure where to start and what to do. Hosting a gathering to make it seem flawless is no easy task, but can be done when you have a basic outline of what needs to be done before the big day.

First, create your invite list. Send invitations to more people than you can fit in the space. Expect 70–80 percent of your list to attend. Inviting more will ensure you have a full party of people to host. Ask for a RSVP so you can get a general idea of how many people to plan for when making or ordering food.

Next, you will want to brainstorm theme. Theme doesn’t have to mean pirates or princesses. A theme can be as simple as coordinating colors or as elaborate as replicating a scene from a movie. Transforming your home can be inexpensive with a trip to the Dollar Store or collecting coupons.

Plan food and drinks. Look up recipes that can be easily made for crowds. If you know an attendee has any food allergies, has restrictions or is vegan, try to include items they can also enjoy so nobody goes hungry.

Finish up your planning with any last-minute details, like creating a music playlist, rearranging furniture if needed and cleaning. Hiring a cleaning service to take care of this chore can be life-saving if your budget allows.