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    Notes on a Party: Your Party Planning Guide

    Are you dreaming up an unforgettable party or looking for birthday party ideas? You've landed on the right party planning blog!

    We hope our "Notes on a Party" will become your go-to source for everything related to hosting fantastic get-togethers!

    Let's walk you through the basics of event planning, step by step--print out our free party planning printable guide at the end of this post!

    Jump to Free Printable
    Table of Contents
    • 1. Pick a Theme
    • 2. Plan Your Budget
    • 3. Fix a Date and Time
    • 4. Make a Guest List
    • 5. Whip Up a Menu
    • 6. Plan Fun Activities
    • 7. Get Decorating
    • 8. Send Out Invites
    • 9. Map Out the Day
    • 10. Last-minute Checks
    • 11. Set Up and Enjoy Your Party!
    • 🖨️ Free Printables
    • Other Party Planning Tips

    1. Pick a Theme

    • Start with a fun theme. It could be anything from 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' to 'Spooky Halloween.' It's your party!
    • The party theme sets the vibe. It will help you decide on decorations, party goodies, and even food. Browse our blog posts for party inspiration.
    A party planning ideas printable. this Post
    • Two women cheers-ing with champagne glasses at a Great Gatsby party.
      Great Gatsby Party Ideas on a Budget
    • A couple at a pirate themed house party.
      How to Throw the Best Pirate Party for Adults
    • A group of party guest around a bonfire with crazy outfits and costumes.
      Creative Burning Man Themed Party Ideas
    • A ballerina at a pink ballet party with balloons and party decorations.
      Dance and Ballet Party Ideas for your little Ballerina

    More Party Themes

    2. Plan Your Budget

    • No need to break the bank. Set your budget early on.
    • This smart party planning tip will help you avoid overspending.

    3. Fix a Date and Time

    • When's the party? Pick a date and time that suits most of your guests.
    • If it's a kids' party, don't forget their nap or bedtimes. You want them full of energy!
    A party planning checklist.
    The party planning pdf can be downloaded after #11

    4. Make a Guest List

    • Who do you want at your party? Write 'em down.
    • Your guest list helps decide how much food, drink, and space you need. And yes, it impacts your budget, too!

    5. Whip Up a Menu

    • Delicious food is a must at any event or little party. Our party ideas blog has loads of recipes that you can match to your theme.
    • Remember to consider dietary needs and allergies. Everyone should have something yummy to munch on.
    • White mini coffee mugs with a skewer with a donut hole on it.
      The Lazy Hostess Guide to Mini Donuts and Coffee
    • A pretty magenta blackberry gin cocktail with ice in a cocktail glass with a sprig of mint.
      Diamonds and Pearls: A Blackberry Gin Cocktail
    • Soft chocolate Chip Cookies on a table and cooling rack.
      Never Fail Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • A refreshing cocktail with lime, mint, and gin and elderflower tonic.
      Crafting the Perfect Gin and Elderflower Tonic

    More Party Food and Drinks

    6. Plan Fun Activities

    • Keep your guests entertained and plan some fun activities. Games, music, or a DIY photo booth could be fun.
    • Tailor your activities to suit your audience. Think of your guests and what they'll enjoy.
    • A tablescape for a ceramics painting party.
      Ceramics Painting Party at Home
    • A closeup of the board game clue with a Colonel Mustard character card and a murder weapon prop.
      Our 13 Favorite Mystery Board Games Like Clue
    • A chalkboard that says "movie night" with striped movie-themed straws and cups with popcorn and bottles of pink lemonade.
      Fun and Unique Movie Night Party Ideas
    • A variety of gift wrap and craft supplies.
      Three Easy Party Crafts: Creative DIY Ideas

    7. Get Decorating

    • Creative decorations make your party pop!
    • Use your theme to guide your decorations and event design.

    8. Send Out Invites

    • Let people know about your party. Send out creative invites that match your theme.  For casual parties, 2-4 weeks is usually enough notice.  
    • You can go for classic paper invites or digital ones, just remember to include all the party details.

    9. Map Out the Day

    • A timeline helps your party flow smoothly. Jot down when guests will arrive, when to serve food, and when the activities will happen.
    • This plan can help you avoid chaos. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later.

    10. Last-minute Checks

    • About a week before the party, confirm who's coming.
    • Also, double-check your arrangements. You've got this!
    A party planner guide template.
    Scroll down to print the party planning guide pdf.

    11. Set Up and Enjoy Your Party!

    • On the day, start setting up early.
    • And remember, once the party starts, your job is to enjoy! Have as much fun as your guests.
    • An overhead shot of fancy tea being served at a party with a beautiful tablescape.
      Hosting a High Tea Party for Adults
    • A couple in Dolly Parton costumes.
      Dolly Parton Themed Party Ideas: A Night of Country Glamour
    • A woman in a 1920s costume with a feather boa and pearls.
      What to Wear to a 1920s Party

    Your party is your canvas, so let your imagination run wild! Whether it's a first birthday, a baby shower, a bridal shower or a themed bash, a good party comes from planning, creativity, and having fun.

    🖨️ Free Printables

    Follow the directions below to easily download and print these freebies.

    Save this Page Saved!

    Free Printable Party Planning Guide

    *Free printables from Games and Gatherings are for personal, non-commercial use only. See our FAQ page for more details.*

    If you enjoyed this content, please consider rating it or sharing it! We welcome the use of one of these images with visible credit to Games and Gatherings and a direct link to the article. We appreciate your support.

    💛 Amy & Gabe

    ⬇️ Click to Download

    A party planner guide template.
    Printable Party Planner PDF
    Did you like these freebies? Your ratings encourage us to keep creating free content! Please rate below! 👇

    Other Party Planning Tips

    If you've found our party blog, we know you must love entertaining. We want to help make throwing the ultimate party in your home a breeze, without breaking the bank or losing your sanity.

    BE A "LAZY" HOSTESS OR HOST

    Our blog is packed with helpful tips, tricks, and ideas to transform you into your own personal event planner. We cover everything from choosing a theme to crafting the perfect party menu.

    Plus, we've got you covered with the latest party trends and must-have party supplies!

    Hosting a party should be just as enjoyable for you as it is for your guests. That's why we focus on sharing stress-free party planning techniques and budget-friendly tips to help you pull off an unforgettable event.


    The two party blogs Notes on a Party and Games and Gatherings became one in 2023. You may know Notes on a Party as a party-planning blog dedicated to the art of entertaining, and it fits perfectly with the games and get-togethers we share on this website.

    Notes on a Party originated as an online magazine created by the party planner Celia Chen, in New York. She was known as "The Lazy Hostess."

    Our party planning blog is here to inspire and guide you every step of the way.

    So, whether you're planning a chic cocktail party, a lively birthday bash, or an intimate dinner with friends, you've come to the right place. Explore our blog, get inspired, and discover the joy of hosting fabulous parties right in the comfort of your own home. Happy planning!

    More Party Ideas

    • Paris party decorations on a table.
      Paris Themed Party Ideas
    • A pretty blueberry cocktail with ice and a lemon slice.
      The "Lucy Blue Eyes" Blueberry Cocktail
    • Three ugly christmas sweater voting ballots with the text "my vote for the ugliest sweater goes to:"on a wooden table with christmas decorations.
      Free Ugly Christmas Sweater Voting Ballots (printable pdf)
    • Gingerbread men with a candy cane attached to coffee mugs for a Candyland Christmas Party Theme.
      The 15 Best Christmas Party Theme Ideas (in 2023)
    • A whole Pumpkin Cream Pie cut open to show layers of pumpkin pie, pumpkin mousse, and whipped cream.
      Amazing Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie
    • Several Halloween buttercream decorated sugar cookies on a cooling rack.
      Buttercream Decorated Sugar Cookies

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    Hi, we're Amy and Gabe, two mystery-lovers and make believers. We love hosting perfect parties and providing an insider's perspective and "notes" on various events.

    Whether you're looking for ideas to entertain your kids at home or you need to plan the perfect mystery party for adults, we've got you covered! More about us →

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