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Party Survival Tips · Party Planning Experts · Event Planner · Conceirge Services · Twin Cities · Mpls, MN
We appreciate Lee Ann Seaman of Twin Cities Concierge for providing this information. 612-929-9585
Planning To Throw A Party?
Do you have a graduate in the family? An upcoming wedding? Company picnic or family reunion? Are you in charge of throwing the party? See some survival tips and short cuts that will help you throw the most successful party, gala, or celebration! How much food you should order? Great menu ideas? Checklists and emergency solutions! Professional party and event planner, Lee Ann Seaman, owner of Twin Cities Concierge, shares some great advice and party secrets every party thrower should know!
Planning a party can be tricky because of all the before, during, and after details! But, with careful planning, these details can be stress-free, so that throwing your party doesn’t have to mean you can’t attend it, too! Let’s take your Graduation Open House, for example. Your Graduate will be expecting his or her party to be spectacular and wonderful! With a few pre-planning tips, you will have no problem accomplishing just that!
To start with, you probably will have no idea how many guests you will have, how long each one will stay, how many other open houses they will also be attending, all of which will determine how much food to have prepared. Your key to success is KISS… keeping it simple! One more key is a good PLAN! Here are some tips to help.
The PLAN:
Guest List – separate into categories
· Family –will stay long
· Friends – will stay long AND some will help
· Graduates – have many parties and are short-term guests
Budget – take into account FOOD, BEVERAGES, DÉCOR, TABLE AND CHAIR RENTALS
Menu – A smorgasbord is not necessary – keep menu to 7 to 10 items
· You can prepare some of the food, yourself, in advance
· Simple veggies, fruit, cheese and meat trays, Sloppy Joe’s, pulled pork, baked goods
· A Taco Bar is simple to do ahead of time – HUGE HIT
· Purchase some foods
· Chips, guacamole (kids love it!), crackers, nuts
· Order some food for delivery – Often the graduate has a favorite
· Buffalo Wild Wings, Famous Dave’s, Subway, Jimmy John’s, Potbelly’s
· Food Quantities – How much to plan for and prepare?
· Rule of thumb – the longer the guest stays, the more they will eat
· Visiting grads will eat ¼ to 1/3 the amount of the other guests
Set-Up – Have a “plan B” if you are planning on anything outdoors – garage, basement,
out-building, barn
· Stations – scatter them to keep people from congregating in one area
· Buffet – best if kept indoors, near but not in kitchen…. garage, porch, dining room, family room
· Beverages – use beverage tubs and coolers
· Pop and Soda – good to mix a variety in each tub or cooler
· Adult drinks – keep in plain view and SEPARATED if you are offering
· Coffee
· Cake
· Other desserts
· Keep garbage cans or bags plentiful and in visible places
· If you recycle, put out bags and label them for cans, bottles, plastic
· Guest Book, Card, Sign – if doing this, set this in a separate place so guests can
take a moment with us without being crowded
· Designate an area for cards and gifts – also good to keep in a separate area
· Tables and chairs – rent or borrow from friends and neighbors
· Décor – school colors, of course
· Buy plastic table cloths or rent cloth
· Centerpieces – KISS using the photo trees, flower floatees, be creative
· Graduate’s Shrine
· Grad’s life photos – book(s), board(s), and / or video(s)
· Awards, souvenirs, certificates, trophies, articles, artwork, etc.
Prior to Open House – (1 to 2 days)
· Check weather
· Set up Graduate’s Shrine – doing this early will ensure it is done and ready
· Make your Open House Checklist
· Graduate’s Expectations – Important! Some grads actually have thought they would
leave the party to go to their friend’s parties! Ah, NO!
· Shop for food and items needed
· If holding party outdoors, spray yard for bugs, mosquitoes or arrange to have it done….
check for safety once application is dry
· Clear your refrigerator gaining as much space as you can
· Cut, slice, dice, and store! DO NOT set up trays
· Buffet table set up with table cloths, plates, flatware, etc.
· Set aside your serving dishes, utensils – this helps ensure you have the right things
· Duty assignments – do you need a few friends to help before or during your party?
Open House Day – plan to be relaxing and ready for guest 45 minutes prior to “start time”
· Need to execute “plan B?”
· Tables and chairs set up
· Shower
· Buffet tray prep – 2 hours prior
· Start with bowls of chips, nuts, etc.
· Catering delivery
· Hot food in oven at 200 degrees
· Keep food covered until time to start
· Arrange trays of perishables and cover…store in refrigerator
· Beverages
· Buy ice – 1 20# bag of ice per cooler
· Chill beverages
· Set up coffee
Tips
· Keep extra rolls of toilet paper in each bathroom – make it easy to find them
· If you have an ice maker, you can start saving bags of ice well in advance of your party
· Always remember to keep things simple
· If refrigerator space is an issue for you, fill your laundry or bathtub with ice, place
filled trays on top of ice and cover with towels to keep the “cool” in
Following these few KISS steps will guarantee you a great day! Staying on top of details will help you feel less stressed during your event. Although the tips and suggestions here referred to a Graduation Open House, many of the ideas can apply to other kinds of parties or festivities, as well.
For more advice, or for help with your specific party or event planning, contact
Twin Cities Concierge at 612-929-9585. We appreciate Lee Ann Seaman of
Twin Cities Concierge for providing this information. 612-929-9585.
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