6 to 8 weeks before:
- Review the budget for the party
- Make a list of people planning to invite
- Plan menu
- Order catered food*
- Organize recipes
- Make grocery list
- Make a list of non-perishable items
- Divide nonperishable food into the number of weeks to party. Purchase items on the list every week
- Plan colors for the event and decorations needs
Five weeks before:
- Check serving dishes, linens, and silverware or paper supplies you need.
- Add needed items to the shopping list.
- Reserve any needed rental equipment: chairs, punch bowls, serving dishes, etc. *
- Buy or make invitations.
- Review the budget; record the items purchased.
- Plan decorations and add needed items to the shopping list. Make a project page for decorations you are planning to make yourself.
- Add project supplies to the shopping list
Four weeks before:
- Send invitations
- Plan centerpieces–Order or make a project page if making your own.*
- Add needed supplies to the shopping list.
- Plan games, activities, prizes, and favors
- Add needed items to the master shopping list.
- Make a project page if you are making your own
- Note where instructions are found for games/activities, or copy and insert them into your notebook.
- Plan the clothing you are going to wear
- Reserve rooms for out-of-town guests*
- Confirm any reservations, catered food ordered, or rental equipment requests you have made for the party.
- Pay fees
- Continue to work on homemade decorations, favors, etc.
- Review menu lists for missing items–coffee, ice, sugar, nuts, etc.
Three weeks before:
- Wash and press linen*
- Polish silverware–if not using plastic
- Clean candlesticks*
- With the menu in hand, identify the serving bowls you are going to use*
- Purchase or borrow any needed items
- Plan table settings: place cards, napkin rings, napkins*
- Add needed items to your shopping list
- Make a project page if you are making your own
- Continue working on homemade decorations, favors, etc.
- Review budget: record the items you purchased
- Baked treats*
- Place dry ingredients in a plastic bag and tape the recipe to the outside.
2 weeks before:
- Create a cooking schedule. Note the cooking times of planned dishes and mark the time each dish needs to be started. Post on bulletin board or refrigerator.
- Review RSVPs. Make place cards.*
- Continue working on homemade decorations, favors, etc.
- Review budget: record items you purchased
- Wash, press, and polish the clothing you are going to wear
- Make a party schedule: start time, the order of games, the time meal to be served, etc.
- Purchase film, batteries, etc.
One week before:
- Wash the plates, silverware, and bowls you are planning to use.
- Bake cookies etc.
- On a slip of paper, write the name of a dish you are going to serve and the time needs to be started, and place it in a serving bowl with
- measured dry ingredients in a plastic bag
- recipe card
- Organize games and review instructions
- Complete homemade decorations, favors, etc.
- Review budget: records items you purchased
- Wrap gifts
- Clean house
Day before:
- Chop vegetables and prepare salads and soups that can be made ahead*
- Set the table
- Decorate if permitted
- Purchase ice
- Make vegetable and dessert plates. Refrigerate. *
- Pick up ordered food
Day of:
- Decorate
- Pick up rental equipment and floral arrangements*
- Review party schedule and follow
- Follow the cooking schedule*
- Prepare cameras and recorders.
- Relax and enjoy it!
*You may not need to do all the items on the list.
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