So this weekend was our housewarming party- yay! In order to
not go crazy and/ or forget anything, I like to set up a little timeline for
myself that goes a little something like this:
3 – 4 weeks before
- Decide on a date/ time
- Decide on theme & if you’re doing a meal, hors d'oeuvres, brunch, etc.
- Send out invitations (I use evite). People be busy yo’ and like to plan out their weekends accordingly.
2 weeks before
- Plan the official menu (I usually have some ideas in my head)
- Peruse Pinterest for ideas & what you want to make or do. I decided to use paint samples as food labels.
Weekend before the
party
- Review evite to get guest count and estimate for those that haven’t responded. You can always ask them too!
- Make list of what to buy.
- Go shopping (separate trip) for all the booze, food, and decorations you need. I like to do it separately so I can focus on my party alone and not get mixed up with “gosh, do we want lasagna for dinner – what do I need for that?”
- Start a little pile of stuff in a designated area. I put decorations and non-perishables like red wine and bags of chips in that pile.
2 days before
- Begin baking/ cooking items that will last. I did chocolate chip cookies and brownies since they will keep longer than chopped veggies.
- Start cleaning areas that won’t get dirty like a guest room.
- Pull out serving dishes & put them in your “pile” (AKA as my squirrel stash). That way you know what’s going where.
1 day before
- Prep other items that will last. I made the bottom layer of my 7 layer taco dip and cooked the bacon wrapped lil’ smokies and refrigerated them.
- Keep on cleaning and hiding junk in the closets :)
- Begin to chill wine, sodas, beer if you aren’t doing an ice bucket.
3-4 hours before
- Finish cooking, chopping fruit & veggies, etc.
- Set the table if you are having formal dining.
2 hours before
- Get yourself ready. I made the mistake to get ready first thing in the morning and spelunked fruit tea all over my shirt I was planning on wearing :/
1 hour before
- Set out serving dishes, start warming up any crock pot items.
Party time! Guests
arrive!
- Pull out refrigerated items and then have fun!
- Don’t forget to take pictures or ask for a friend to take some for you. I of course have no pictures except for the one prep pic :/
I follow this formula for Thanksgiving dinners to smaller brunches.
How do you plan for a party?
Any tips or tricks for an awesome party?
