I love to throw a party every July for my friends. Summer is a more laid back time of year and a great time to come together and socialize.
The very idea of giving a party can be overwhelming to people. Like any project that seems overwhelming, it’s not so daunting if you break it down into smaller, manageable tasks and you don’t strive for perfection.
I start with my vision in mind. How do I want this party to look and feel? I usually have a theme but the theme could be as simple as “catch up and have fun.” This year, because I just build a new shed house and deck, my theme is “get decked out and shed your cares.” I want people to have fun, relax, reconnect, and have dialogue. I want the atmosphere to be comfortable, casual, and connected.
Next I brainstorm what has to happen to make this vision work. I start with my guest list. Then I plan my invitations. I also look at what I want to serve and my party location. My list might look like this:
make invitation list
send out a save the date email
design invites
print invites
address and mail invites
plan the menu
prepare the yard
clean deck furniture
prepare/order food and beverages
clean house
decorate
stray yard for mosquitoes
put out food/beverage stations
When looked at all at once, it seems overwhelming, but I break it down and do it over a month’s time. I will either hire out some help or ask for some help or usually both. One day I just concentrate on my invitation list, another day I design the invites, another day I print them off, and still another day I mail them. Now my intention is set and the party is on!
The other items on the list are mostly done on weekends and are broken up so that no one day is consumed just by these tasks. By the day of the party there is little to do but finish decorating, some last minute food preparation, preparing the food/beverage stations, and spraying the yard for bugs.
When the guests come, I am ready to party with them. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Jonda S. Beattie Professional Organizer
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