Tis the season for grads everywhere to be having their parties, inviting family and friends to celebrate their accomplishments. Recently (as in yesterday) I held my own to celebrate my graduation from the University of Minnesota. Normally, a lot needs to go into the planning of these parties- cleaning extensively, ordering tables, preparing food, etc. This year we did things a little differently and it saved a lot on time which we would have otherwise spent cleaning and cooking.
This year we surprisingly didn't cook much at all. I say surprisingly because if you know my mother then you know that everyone would be begging and or forcing her to cook their favorite dishes for the party. Instead, we ended up with great food that everyone enjoyed actually being delivered! If you are from the St. Louis, MO area the name Imo's should be known in your household. If you aren't from around this area, let me sum up this great pizza place for you: BEST IN THE WORLD.
Aside from being the best, we happened to have a family friend who offered to do the cooking. Now even if you don't have a family friend who owns a great Italian pizza place we all know someone who would be willing to help cook for a celebration. Any sort of help really cuts down on the time you spend cooking yourself. This can free up space in your kitchen, potentially save on expenses, or can be a great way to get together with other family members before the party. In fact, while our main dishes were taken care of, my mother, sister-in-law, and grandmother came over to spend time together cutting up fruit and vegetables for trays while we all were able to spend time with my 8 weeks old baby niece. The biggest piece of advice here? Don't put the burden of your entire event on yourself and only yourself. This is a happy occasion, involve your closest friends and family or whomever is willing to help. There are tons of ways to share tasks and make it fun or at the very least make this event run smoothly.
For decorations many places have deals on regular baloons. I wouldn't waste money that could be spent on multiple types of decorations. Most often themed milestone celebrations are few and far between so even if you plan on throwing them again, they are cheap enough to not keep around. Additionally most of these themed decorations are one time use items that easily rip, break, or deteriorate in some other fashion. Stick to easy, cheap, and accessible decorations that will fit with any gender or level of celebration. Balloons, flowers, and table cloths are the easiest way to spruce up your event for a cost effective price.
To further add to the atmosphere create an audience friendly music list on your ipod, put on a mixed cd, or thrown on a radio station that plays greatest hits. Remember who is invited when creating any playlists and unless this is an adult friends only type of party these lyrics should not involve swear words! Try to avoid them if you can. If you are having children present head to your local dollar general or other such store and purchase some bubbles or playing cards. They will be more interested in how bored they are then what you just graduated from or how old you are turning. Remember happy kids equal happy parents, and the more time you want to spend with the parents the more ideas you might want to have for children.
For food at these milestone celebrations keep it SIMPLE. Have two items available for a main dish and multiple, easy side dishes. For our party we had italian sub-sandwhiches, red pasta, pasta salad, salad, fruit, veggies, dips, and chips. Guests were provided with their choice of lemonaid, sweet tea, or beer for the adults. If you are having more guests than your dining room table provides for never do a sit down dinner! Make sure the food is accessible, keep it replenished, and make sure it is the appropriate temperature.
Stock up on toilet paper, spend the money on a candle, spray, or other form of odor deleting substance, and put out fresh towels in the bathroom. Put on your party dress, and you are ready to celebrate!
Tips:
Expect guests an hour to two hours before the actual start time of the event. You will be prepared better, and more often than not someone you know will come over early!
Pick out your outfit, or at least narrow down the choices at least two days in advance. Do not paint your nails the day of the event they will always mess up.
If your event is squeezed into a jam packed schedule, begin at least three days ahead minimum. Clean at night and order/pick up decorations during lunch breaks, before work, or on your way home.
Always be prepared for weather to turn sour. If you are able, open house events allow people to come when they can and afford the host the ability to most likely be able to actually accomodate guests who are around when bad weather strikes, even in the tiniest of homes. If all guests are at the event at once this might not be possible. Not totally necessary, but you never know.
Send out the invitations four to two weeks ahead of time depending on how large the event is. Always include parking instructions.
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