Have you ever had that nagging feeling that you are walking through life way too easily – as if you are completely forgetting something, like, BIG? Then, when you least expect it, it hits you square between the eyes – how in the world could you forget that you agreed to host a last minute party for a specific person/occasion and it is to be held in just a couple days?!
Don’t fret! There is nothing that will get accomplished if you are panicking. Instead, sit back and read through these tips that will help you make last minute party throwing look like a piece of cake.
Take a deep breath – here we go:
Make a Last Minute To-Do List
It is hard enough to try to organize a party at the last minute. Forgetting something you need to do to make it all happen smoothly can lead you down a rather dark, bumpy road. Take some time to sit down and think about everything you will need before, during, and after your party. Make a checklist and keep it organized.
While you are making that list, why not go ahead and make a list of all the people you are going to invite?
Electronic Invites
Snail mail is out of the picture these days. Really – when was the last time you received a party invitation in your mailbox? Exactly! So, your guests will not think anything of it when they are invited via e-mail or social media. In fact, they may even think you planned it that way! They won’t consider for a second that this is actually a last minute party invite!
Send a batch email, use a free service such as evite, or use the event calendar on Facebook to send out instant party invitations. Make sure to ask that your guests reply quickly so that you may get a head count. Providing a small apology for the delayed invite couldn’t hurt, either.
Take it Outside Using Tent Rentals
The thought that will likely pop into your head as soon as you realize you need to throw this party right away is, “Oh, no! I need to clean my house!” Well here is an idea – how about taking the party outside? You can turn your backyard into the party spot and you can leave your house as dirty as you’d like! Fabric tent rentals can give you protection for your guests and your electronics, food, etc. These tents are completely customizable so you will find one that will work for you. Since you are short on time, it is a good thing they assemble quickly!
Pulling the sides open on tent rentals will allow for an indoor/outdoor backyard party feel. Tent rentals can create a very welcome atmosphere for your guests with a lot of room for socializing, playing games, or just relaxing.
Decorations
As you know, this is last minute party decor. You do not have much time to get fancy so keep it simple. Besides, simply stated decorations can sometimes be as beautiful as a professionally decorated room. Check your local party store for decorations that fit your party theme. A little splash of color is all you need.
If you decide to party outdoors, make sure you make use of various lighting techniques. In fact, stringing lights across your backyard can create a magical feeling.
Guests will not notice the decorations as much as they will the taste of the food and drinks, so make sure you keep your focus on your priorities.
Last Minute Food and Drinks
Do you really have time to plan a whole big sit down meal? Assuming you don’t want to overburden yourself even more, the answer is no. The best approach to food and drink for your last-minute party will be to focus on wide variety with minimal choices.
For food, think hors d’oeuvres. And, by all means, do not have six different chips and dips. Instead, have a few different choices for your guests to choose from – not all from the same bin at the grocery store. A few ideas are hummus and pita, brie and little toasts, banana nutella dip, veggie skewers, popcorn, chicken wings, etc.
As for drinks – you will never fill everyone’s individual tastes. Pick the 3 most versatile and popular drinks among your friends and call it a day. You have way too many things to handle than to worry about beverages.
On a side note – if anyone asks whether they can bring something when they reply to your invite, you may tell them they can bring an appetizer or special beverage if they so wish, but that it isn’t required!
Entertainment
There is no rule book that says guests need to have more entertainment than socializing with each other. Then again, bored guests are no fun – so you will want to have some sort of entertainment.
Your time-frame is short so you will likely not have a chance to book either a DJ or a local band – and that is just fine! Set up some speakers – your own or borrowed – and hook up a play list using your computer, iPod, mp3 player, etc. This will allow the music to help set the tone for the party without requiring too much of your time and attention.
Games are another thing you can do. A quick search online and you can find party games that don’t require anything more than what you already have. Or, take it back a few years and pull out all your old board games that have been collecting dust in the back of your closet. You can even get creative and put a new spin on old kid games.
If you have one, using a projector is another idea for entertainment. This will allow you to stream music videos or show movies throughout the night. Even a stream of funny videos can keep the mood light and fun! Hey, a laugh is a laugh, right?
Most guests come to parties to mingle, laugh, eat, and drink. Everything else is just a bonus. Planning a last minute party can be less stressful than you think. From tent rentals to simple lighting, follow these tips and no one will ever know that you forgot anything… Cheers!