• 3 to 4  weeks ahead of your event
• Pick a theme and decide if you want a formal or casual event.
• Pick a date and time
• Decide how long the party will be - most parties are 2-4 hours depending on the type of party and if it is a kids party.
• Make your guest list.
• Purchase your supplies --- 
  • Decorations
  • Paper Goods
  • Plates
  • Napkins
  • Utencils
  • Serving Platters or Trays
  • Tablecovers
  • Streamers
  • Balloons
  • Centerpieces
  • Party Favors
  • Prizes for Games

2 to 3  weeks ahead of your event

• Plan and prepare your menu
• Parties planned around meal time should include food and not just cake and ice cream.
• Parties that are not planned during meal time can be cake, ice cream and beverages only.
• Decide if you want finger foods, buffet or sit down type meal.
• Do you want to prepare the food or have it catered?
• If it is sit down, do you want to hire servers?
• Party rental companies have many different items to choose from to help with your party.  Like... tables, chairs, food warming units, etc.
• Remember that many foods can be made ahead of time and heated the day of the party.  
• Plan your activities
• Pick age appropriate games
  • Remember that children under 3 have a smaller attention span.  They don't always like to share or wait their turn and would be happy just sitting around playing with their friends and toys.
  • Adults don't always want to play games.  So only plan one or two.
  • Plan on a few extra activities in case everyone wants to play more.  Better to have too many than too little.
  • Need "Ice Breakers" for your party - click here
• Send your invitations and be sure to put RSVP information and a date they should reply by.  Not all invitations weigh the same so you should be sure you have enough postage on them.
• Make arrangements for help --- like caterers, servers, teenagers to help with kids parties, etc.

1  week ahead of your event

• Get a final count on the guests.
• Prepare a final list of the menu items, games, prizes and paper goods and ensure that you have enough for each guest plus extra.
• Purchase food items that don't need to be prepared or can be prepared and frozen until the event.
• Check with and confirm all orders for food items ordered for the event.
• Find the camera or video camera and be sure to have enough film, extra batteries or charge your camera batteries.
• Some foods can be prepared now and will hold nicely until the party - be sure to consult your recipe or someone who knows food.
• If you are having balloons filled with helium be sure to order them or rent the helium tank.
• Be sure to have extra batteries of all sizes in case the birthday person gets something that needs batteries and they were not included.  Nothing worse than having something to play with and no batteries.

The day before your event

• Decorate... it will make the day of the party less stressful.  If your party is outdoors then you should wait for the day of the party to decorate.
• Some foods can be prepared now and will hold nicely until the party - be sure to consult your recipe or someone who knows food.
• If your party is early in the day than you can probably pick up the filled balloons - check with the people doing them and they will let you know.  Ask for high float in your balloons - it helps them last and fly higher.
• Be sure to defrost items made ahead and frozen.
• Purchase ice if you have the room for it in your freezer.
• Use an ice chest or big tub to fill with ice and canned or bottled beverages.
• RELAX... your almost there!

Event Day...

• Have a cup of coffee or tea then go over your lists one final time.
• Prepare the rest of the food and beverages.
• Prepare the activities and the prizes.
• Decide what to wear and lay it out.
• Small children will need a nap before the party.
• 10-15 min. before guests arrive - set all food and beverages out.
• Be sure to take time out for yourself to rest and relax before the event.
• Turn on some music softly.
• Don't forget the camera...
• It is time... ENJOY your party!