Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

THis will be the first "big" party for DS. Just family - aunts, uncles, great aunts, etc

need tips - any and all.

going to have a big hero, sides, cake.....candy buffet.

any tips?

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

prepare well in advance. do as much as you can before hand, even set out utensils that you will be using to serve, set up tables, etc.

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

While I have not done an at home party like many of the beautiful parties that I have seen on LIF, what I took away from the photos was:

1. Theme (This will guide/dictate all else)
a. Table cloth in color of theme (solid color, gingham)
b. Labels on everything in color/font/style of theme (polka dots/stripes/plaid)
c. Simple, clear display pieces with easy access and serving utensils
d. Cake done in theme
e. favors (personalized, labeled, something to do with the theme)
f. outfit
g. accessories (paper lanterns, poofs, streamers, balloons, signs) all in the same color/font
h. dishware/napkins/glasses in color of theme

2. Food (use plates/silverware/cups in theme color/style)
a. apps
- how ever many you plan on
b. main meal
- two options and a salad
c. dessert
- cake
- cookies
- candy

3. Entertainment
- Music
- Activity for kids (related to theme)
Things I have seen: clown, animals, face painters, DJ, arts and crafts, bounce house, gym, music together

4. Time line
Figure out how long you want the party to last. In general 1 1/2 -2 hours is a normal party at a place. I would have a lot set up before your guests arrive so you can enjoy some of your party.

Themes I have seen on LIF/IRL
Zoo
Winter Wonderland (could do a Spring Social, Summer Social, or a Fantastic Fall for other seasons)
Toy Story
Candy Land (use the board for inspiration)
Carousel (pastel or primary colors)
Race Car (black/white checkerboard/red)
Dinosaur (use a sand box to dig for "bones"
Construction (use sand box with tools)
Tea Party

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

Both of DD's parties have been at home and I think this is what made them successful:

1) had plenty of food and drinks for the adults
2) set up table sand chairs to create a flow to the space and to make sure that people could easily talk
3) had a cake that was in line with the theme. DD loved the decorations but could not stop talking about the cake (wonder pets and Dora themed). She also loved that people sang happy birthday to her. It made her feel very special.

All the other stuff was nice but not necessary. I did party bags, had theme decorations, games, etc. but all DD talks about to this day are her cake and the happy birthday song.

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

I just had DS's 1st b-day at home yesterday. I agree that having a theme pulls everything together & makes it much easier to plan.
I had a slideshow of DS's first year & made sure to have pictures of him with each family member. That was a big hit with everyone.
I had a punch spiked with southern comfort-big hit with the adults!

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

Hire a waitress/server to help. At around $25 per hour, its the best money you'll spend! You will be able to enjoy yourself and not have to be running around the entire time.

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

Prep as much as you can in advance so the dya of you just have to do finishing touches, and if you can plan to pickup the food/cake/beverages the day before and just make it a big running day. It's a long day, but worth it.
Give yourself a pass and take help when and wher eyou can get it....if that means deligating to somebody who offers to help do it, if that means buying disposable plates, napking, cups, utensils to eat and serve the food then do it. Get a big garbage can and 90% of the clean up after is done!
Themes are nice, but you don't have to go all out either! It can be as simple as a color scheme or a cartoon. Kepp it easy and if you're on a budget do something simple like poka dots, or trains. Something where you don't have to custom order anything or pay a lot for it.
Pick 1 or 2 "splurge" items. We picked food and her 1/2 birthday plates/balloons we ordered. This helped keep us on tyrack money wise.
Keep it simple and casual. Nobody should expect a lot. I mean nobody expects a gloden globes party for a child. Try to not stress and remember most of the small things are things only you and maybe a few others will notice. I promise nobody is or should be comparing your yellows to make sure they match and one isn't more of a butter yellow vs a sun yellow.

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

since both kids are summer babies we do their birthday parties at home (except their 1st party)

its a little different because we can utilize the backyard and pool but if we were to do it inside (which we have had some large parries inside)

easiest thing to do is to cater food and enjoy the day!!!!!!!!

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

We are an at home party family all the way down to both boys Christenings. Most if our parties are in the warmer weather so we utilize the yard but people are always indoors with the cac.

Prep ahead of time. It gives you more time the morning of to do last minute things. I always set up the tables, chairs, sternos, paler goods, drink table the night before. Most parties we do cater but I also do the salads & appetizers myself.

We put a bounce house that we own in the backyard & the kids have a ball. I don't do games bc I feel at home parties don't need structure. It's more a paid back atmosphere.

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

Re: Parties mom - how to pull off a successful at home party? tips? ideas?

We are having an at home party for DS' 2nd birthday - just family and it will be about 15 adults and 10+ kids.

My plan is to set up ahead of time so that I don't go crazy the morning of the party.

We are having a pizza party, so the food will be easy. I am hoping to decorate ahead of time (party is Saturday so probably Thursday and Friday after work put up the decorations, add balloons on the day of). I feel like this takes up the most time. Set up the cake table with table cloth and everything, happy birthday sign, hanging lanterns or tissue poms, etc.

That way on the day of the party we can have the food delivered and take it easy. I will be 8 months pregnant so I think if I don't do it this way, it will be much more stressful.

Also, I picked a theme and colors and will be using it for all the decorations etc. So the favor bags and hanging signs will all have the same design, same for the invitation. I like having things look a certain way so just because it's a small party at home doesn't mean I can't add special or cute touches.