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Party Planner


6 to 8 weeks before:
Review budget for party
Make list of people planning to invite
Reserve party location-if not having at your home
Plan menu
Order catered food
Organize recipes into one place
Make list of nonperishable food
Divide food into number of weeks until party-purchase items on list every week
Plan colors for event and list decorations needed.

5 weeks before:
Check serving dishes, linens, and silverware or paper supplies you will need
Add needed items to master shopping list
Reserve any needed rental equipment: chairs, punch bowls, serving dishes, etc.
Buy or make invitations
include directions to event
Review budget: record items you purchased
Plan decorations
Add needed items to master shopping list
Decorations planning to make yourself.
In your notebook create a project page include:
-Instructions or where they can be found
-Supplies needed-add to master shopping list
-Time needed to complete (double estimates)
-On calendar write start date for project and date to be completed
4 weeks before:
Send invitations
Plan centerpieces
Order or make a project page (as above) if making your own
Review budget: record items you purchased
Plan games, activities, prizes, and favors
Add needed items to master shopping list
Make a project page (as above) if making your own
List where instructions can be found for games or make a copy and include in your notebook.
Plan clothing you are going to wear: shoes, hosiery, suit, dress, etc.
Reserve rooms for out of town quests
Confirm any reservations, catered food order or rental equipment requests you have made for the party
Pay fees
Continue working on home-made decorations, favors, etc.
Review menu list for missing items: ice cream, coffee, drinks, ice, nuts, etc.
3 weeks before:
Wash and press linens
Polish silverware-if not using plastic
Clean candlesticks
With menu in hand identify serving bowls you are going to use
Purchase or borrow any needed items
Plan table settings: place cards, napkin rings, napkins etc.
Add needed items to master shopping list
Make a project page (as above) if making your own
Continue working on home-made decorations, favors, etc.
Review budget: record items you purchased
Baked treats
Place dry ingredients in a plastic bag. Tape recipe card to outside
2 weeks before:
Create cooking schedule. Note cooking times of planned dishes and mark a time each dish needs started
Post on bulletin board or refrigerator
Review RSVPs. Make place cards.
Continue working on home-made decorations, favors, etc.
Review budget: record items you purchased
Wash, press, polish clothing you are going to wear
Make a party schedule: start time, order of games, time meal to be served etc.
Purchase film, batteries, etc.
1 weeks before:
Wash 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 time needs to be started place in serving bowl with
-measured dry ingredients in a plastic bag
-serving spoon
-recipe card
Organize games and review instructions.
Complete home-made decorations, favors, etc.
Review budget: record items you purchased
Wrap gifts
Clean house
Day before:
Chop vegetables and prepare salads and soups that can be made ahead
Set table
Decorate if permitted
Purchase ice
Make dessert and vegetable platters. Refrigerate.
Pick up ordered food
Day of:
Decorate
Pick up rental equipment and floral arrangements
Review party schedule and follow
Follow cooking schedule
Prepare cameras and recorders
Relax and enjoy!


© Lady PP's Heart of the Home 2005

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Lady PP's web site "Lady PP's Heart of the Home" at https://www.angelfire.com/rings/ladypp/index.html is for busy moms. It is full of helpful information and links to other resources.

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