So you want to plan the best get-together ever? We’ve put together our best, most practical tips to help you do just that. Keep reading to learn stress-free ways to plan for any type of gathering for any time of the year.
How to Plan the Best Get-Together Ever
Before you plan your next get-together, follow these steps to make sure it’s the best!
Step 1: Set a budget.
Most people put this further down on the list, but it’s important to set a budget first. Why? For starters, there are typically a lot more expenses involved than you may think. To keep from overspending, it’s best to set a budget first. This will help you stay within your means, look for deals, and prevent impulse buys. With your budget in mind, you’ll be able to move effortlessly through the following steps.
Step 2: Plan a theme.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard carnival or a nautical-themed get-together, having a theme will help everyone know what to expect. It will help keep the rest of your planning guess-free as well. Be sure to let your guests know the theme so they can come prepared.
Step 3: Prepare the guest list.
Speaking of letting guests know the theme of your get-together, you’ll need to know who to invite. Whip out the pen and paper (or use your digital notepad) and begin creating your guest list. Keep in mind the type of party you’re having and the space you have to work with.
Step 4: Send invitations.
Whether you choose to send physical invitations or an e-vite, give your guests plenty of time to plan on attending. The rule of thumb is to send invitations at least three weeks before general celebrations. If you’ll be inviting out-of-town guests to your get-together, consider sending the invitations up to four to six weeks before party day. In some cases, you can get away with sending invitations up to two weeks before the get-together is set to take place.
Step 5: Brainstorm a menu.
Food and beverage are typically the highlights of the party. Depending on the theme you choose, your menu can look many different ways. You can keep it relatively simple with finger foods, go with a sandwich bar, or have the get-together completely catered. Water, tea, and lemonade are typical go-to beverages and super simple to make/have on hand. Check with your guests for food allergy purposes to make sure everyone will be able to eat.
Step 6: Decide on activities.
Will your party have games, music, or other activities for you and the guests to enjoy? Plan these out ahead of time so you can schedule them for the get-together. Some hosts prefer to put out baskets of games for people to enjoy while sitting at different tables. Others like to have a specific time carved out for playing them. The choice is yours!
Step 7: Know what you need.
At this point, you’ve most likely set the theme, sent the invitations, picked the food, and so on. With all of this in mind, you should now have a pretty clear idea of what you need in terms of party supplies, decorations, etc. Will you need extra tables and chairs? Have you decided on dressing up your food table with a cup holder or utensil caddy? Now is the time to plan this aspect of your get-together for a flawless party.
Step 8: Bring it all together!
Once you followed the previous steps, all there is left to do is bring it all together. When get-together day arrives, make sure to give yourself plenty of time for cleaning, setting up, and getting yourself ready to welcome your guests. If necessary, solicit help with any or every aspect of your gathering. Have friends bring extra tables and chairs, ask others to help with food, and the like.
Conclusion
When it comes to planning the best get-together ever, you don’t have to be stressed or overwhelmed. At the end of the day, it’s about the people coming together and the memories that will be made. Use the steps mentioned above to get started planning your next get-together. In the meantime, let us know how you plan for your get-togethers in the comments below!