Birthday party ideas checklist contd...

The birthday party checklist must include the following items:

Two months in advance: choose the date, hour and venue if you decide to hold the party outside and book in advance. Select the party theme and write down the guests list. If you are planning a surprise party, do not forget to mention this fact to the guests telling everyone to keep the secret.

One month in advance: send out the invitations including directions and other details that guests must know. Ask people to RSVP and buy the party favors and decorations. Get the video camera ready to capture all the fun. This is the time to hire the DJ, Magician, Clown or Entertainer according to your birthday party plans and budget available.

Three weeks in advance: order the cake and plan the menu, food and drinks including cocktails, wine and beers for adults but have on hand sodas, fruit juices and non-alcoholic beverages for children, teens and drivers.

Decide if the event will be sit-down or buffet-style. Make your shopping list including all the items you might need to buy now.

Two weeks in advance: plan what music you want to play if you will not hire a band or DJ. Review you shopping and menu lists and prepare anything that can be frozen in advance to save time the day when the event will be held. Put together the theme decorations and review confirmed and cancelled invitations.

One week in advance: buy the non-perishable food and drink items including plastic plates, cups, cutlery and crockery. Make room in your refrigerator to store party food and drinks.

The day before the birthday party prepare the food and start the decorations, get out the camera and pick up the birthday cake.

On the event day, clear away valuables, distribute enough chairs around the house or venue and get the food ready, drinks, and party spirit to enjoy the birthday party.

Just be careful planning your budget because birthday parties easily can be more expensive than any other except weddings. Decide the amount you can afford to spend on the party and stick to it.

If a venue is required select an inexpensive location and decide the games among those which do not require to be purchased. Save money buying the paper goods, decorations, game prizes and favors at the discount stores and do not miss the opportunity to use any coupons you have in the kitchen drawers.

While planning the food try to cook some of them yourself or ask for help from family and friends. If someone bakes and decorates the cake even better for you, but if you need to purchase processed food buy in bulk the same goes for the drinks.

Birthday parties have to be fun but not necessarily astronomically expensive.

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