| Birthday parties are always a good time - but | | | | may be attending, you'll need to decide where to |
| what if you're the one planning it? Planning a party | | | | have the birthday party. Will your home be large |
| for a kid is easy - but what about a birthday | | | | enough? Will you need to rent tables and chairs to |
| party for an adult? Where do you start? Do you | | | | accommodate everyone? Or will you need to |
| need a theme? Where do you have it? Who do | | | | have the party at a restaurant or hall? Decide |
| you invite? The advice below will help relieve | | | | what location will suit your needs, then set a date |
| some of your stress and guide you through the | | | | and time. |
| steps involved in planning a birthday party for an | | | | Send Invitations |
| adult. | | | | Once you've determined a location, date and time, |
| Kids aren't the only ones who love birthday | | | | it's time to send the invitations. Try to send them |
| parties - adults love them, too! But maybe you've | | | | 4-6 weeks ahead of time so that the guests |
| never planned a party. Where do you start? Is it | | | | have plenty of time to purchase a gift and make |
| ok to just blow up some balloons and hand out | | | | travel and/or childcare arrangements. The |
| noisemakers? Do you need to provide | | | | invitations can range from formal and traditional to |
| entertainment? Below you'll find 8 simple steps | | | | casual and fun. Many people even choose to |
| that will get you on your way to planning a | | | | simply print their own - especially if they're on a |
| fabulous birthday bash. | | | | budget. |
| Budget | | | | On the Menu |
| Into every party plan, a little budgeting must fall. | | | | What kind of food will you serve? Whether you're |
| Be realistic about what you can spend and then | | | | serving finger-type foods or having the event |
| stick to it. It's also helpful to decide what the | | | | catered, now is the time to plan what will be |
| most important factors are. Are you set on a big, | | | | served to eat. When planning drinks, be sure to |
| extravagant cake? Will you be hiring | | | | have caffeine and alcohol-free options available, |
| entertainment? Will you need lots of decorations? | | | | too. This is also the time to select what type of |
| Budget the largest chunk of change to whatever | | | | cake you'll serve. |
| you feel are the "must-haves" and then adjust | | | | Fun, Fun, FunWhile some themes (like a casino |
| the remainder of your budget accordingly. Don't | | | | night) will require you to have games planned out, |
| forget to budget for your gift, as well. | | | | other themes may offer more flexibility. Many |
| Pick a Theme, Any Theme | | | | parties are fine with just music and mingling, but |
| When it comes to choosing a theme for an adult's | | | | it's a good idea to have some fun activities |
| birthday party, pretty much anything goes! From | | | | planned in case your guests need help getting in |
| surprise parties or casino nights to Hollywood | | | | the party mood. Activities such as charades and |
| glamour or "over the hill", there are lots of | | | | karaoke will usually liven things up and get your |
| themes you can make uniquely your own. But | | | | guests loosened up. |
| remember - the party is in honor of someone | | | | Decor & More |
| special, so stay away from anything that would | | | | No matter what theme you choose for the |
| be embarrassing or in bad taste. | | | | birthday party, you'll need decorations...a banner |
| Who's WhoWho will you invite to the birthday | | | | and streamers at the very least. Party supply |
| party? Just a few close friends? Friends and | | | | stores offer inexpensive decorations for a variety |
| co-workers? Family? Everyone the guest of | | | | of party themes, so it shouldn't be difficult to find |
| honor has ever known? Will it be "girls only" or | | | | what you need. And besides the decorations, you'll |
| "boys only"? Unless it's a surprise party, work | | | | want to make sure you have enough cups, |
| with the guest of honor (and your budget) to try | | | | plates, napkins, eating utensils, etc. Stock up now |
| to determine how many guests will be invited to | | | | so you're not caught short during the party! |
| the shindig. | | | | With a little planning, even the most inexperienced |
| The When & Where | | | | host can pull off a fun and fabulous birthday party |
| Once you have a rough idea of how many people | | | | that grownups will adore. |