The Nasty P word: Getting ready for the big day.

Getting ready for the big day doesn't have to be a stressful mess.

Party planning is like a marathon. It’s good for you & it can be fun but if you don’t do it right you can get seriously injured. (Alright. So I’ve never seen someone actually collapse from exhaustion from planning a 3 year old’s Chucky Cheese Birthday but at the end of the day, with cake smeared pants and confetti coming from only God knows where, I've felt like it .) Yet, there is a light at the end of the sugar- hyped tunnel. There is a key to unlock the magic door of Party bliss (or avoiding total party meltdown). Ready? …. Preparation. I know, its an ugly word my mother overused- the one word that brings visions of pencil scribbled planners, post its and bulletin boards. Preparation…. . It takes work & I don’t like it, so let’s get to the point:

Great parties don’t happen by accident, it takes planning.

Realizing that I have a lot more birthday parties to throw in my future, I sat at the feet of a few people who do it well. Here’s what I learned.

Bad news: Parties take planning and planning means lists.

Good news: I hate lists, so I’ll keep it as short as possible.

Here's a countdown of "to do" items that will make your big day a stunning success (and life until then a bit easier).

Party Countdown- The Plan:

8 weeks before
Finalize guest list
Estimate your party budget

Book your entertainer:
Check out http://www.overthetopproductions.com/, they do a fantastic job and they do it all.
Set party date and time
Find Location
Select a theme

7 Weeks before: The Guests
If you’re going to, Hire a caterer
Create and send RSVP’s
Decide activities & goody bags, then purchase necessary items.
There are amazing Online party resources, use them well & save time & $$$

http://www.orientaltrading.com/

http://www.shindigz.com/
http://www.celebrateexpress.com/

6 weeks before: Take Stock
Plan your party menu
Take inventory of table wear, place settings and décor. Acquire what you lack.
Order any party rental equipment.
The Home stretch: Five days before
Call to confirm your caterer and entertainment
Buy Piñata and Fillers
Order cake or make and freeze one.
Three days before
Hit the grocery store for snacks, mini juice boxes, food and drinks for adults and paper goods. Don’t forget: ice, birthday candles, extra garbage bags and paper towels.
Two days before
Wrap presents
Pack up the goody bags
Take care of camera and video equipment : batteries, memory, film.

Mentally run through itinerary, make sure you have more than enough to fill the time.

1 day before: details and prep
Restock 1st aide kit
Assemble cake or cupcakes
Put up décor and set a place for gifts
Set up craft supplies and games
HINT: If you’re serving ice cream, pre-scoop it into cupcake liners and freeze until cake time

Get a good night's rest

The Big Day!
Tie balloons to mailbox or front door
Pick up cake
Place cake accessories are in a handy spot
Chill drinks in cooler
Relax, smile and have a good time.

Party Favors: A mystery unwrapped

You too can create fabulous party baubles and memorable keepsakes.

If party favors have always been a mystery to you, a source of anxiety you can't seem to conquer: Rest easy. If you find yourself resorting to pre-packaged goodies that seem … so ordinary. You're in good company. I marvel at the party hostess that has it all together with her dainty packages. I find myself asking: What was her inspiration? Where did she find these neat baubles? How did she do it?

At the last party I was at, I stood before rows and rows of pink cellophane bags with marabou trim and vowed, “Today is the day I debunk the goody bag mystery once and for all!” So, my fellow baffled beauties, I set out on my trek to find the answers to my party holy grail, determined to find the 5 simple steps to spectacular goody bags and sisters, here they are!

Don’t break the bank
In my research, you can make a great goody bag without spending over $4-6 a piece. Set your spending limit and stick to it. By sticking to your budget guns, you’ll use your ingenuity and avoid the “goody bag meltdown” of having too many items that just don’t make sense.

Think of you audience
Remember, although the adults may seem impressed, it is the kids you are buying for and they don’t need a Tiffany’s bracelet to make them go “ooh” and “ahh.” Find items that are age appropriate and fit the party theme. (Party Holy grail hint: Sticking to a theme could be as easy as using a single overall color like ballet pink or royal blue) Here’s an age breakdown I found on Parenting.com:

For guests that are:
Ages 2 -3 :
Buy 2 nice “B” things such as bubbles, bath toys, balls and books (The thick kind that tiny fingers can’t tear or toddler teeth can’t gnaw through).
4-8 years
Guests this age value quantity over quality, so pick 4 to 5 little items that are sure to thrill them. Use Items such as, stickers, clay, mini puzzles, sidewalk chalk, whistles, water squirters, bracelets and rings (both sexes equally enjoy these, by the way).
Older kids
They’re back to liking a few bigger and nicer items. They really like things they can use to express themselves. A small diary and a pen, markers and a stuffed animal or a neat craft that they have made at the party and can take home. Let your child help pick items for their friends, they’ll love it.

Use all your resources
There are so many avenues to explore what’s available for your party, here are a few:
The Internet: give yourself enough time for shipping (usually 7-10 days) and places like http://www.orientaltradingcompany,com/ and http://www.birthdayexpress.com/ could be your best friends. Just type your theme in the search box and see what comes up. Also check out http://www.buycostumes.com/, they have some pretty nifty pre-assembled bags as well. You could add your personal touch to the faboulous-ness that have already put together.

The dollar store: I have found the Atlantis of goody bags! There are rows and rows of neat little treats, specialty candy, stickers and toys- all under a dollar. Also, don’t forget the neat dollar bins at places like Target and Wal-Mart. If you plan ahead, a few trips here could yield many items and a few bucks to spare so you can splurge on the container and trim.

As for the container: Think Function and form
A pretty cellophane bag will work but use something more durable and your guests will have yet another goody to remember the event by. On my quest, I have found things like sand pails, tiny purses, little Knapp sacks all work well and far outlive the party. Use the websites above to explore your options. You can also visit http://www.containerstore.com/ and http://www.plumparty.com/ for other creative options.

Wrap it up with style
Packages are always more fun when they are done up with a bit more pomp and circumstance. Use pretty trims, like marabou or rick rack. You can find this in any novelty section of a craft store or in my favorites like Wal-mart or the dollar store. For name tags you can use place cards, name badges, or even stuffed animals with names written on them in permanent marker or puff paint. Your creativity is the limit.

Looking back on my explorations I see that the Goody bag treat is all about expressing your child’s unique personality and personifying it in a way your guests can enjoy. I feel empowered, with these simple rules, using simplicity and creativity, an amazing goody bag can be made by all! Happy hunting!