1.Decide on your
budget. Begin by jotting down everything you'll need -- food, decorations
and flowers, invitations, music, any rentals (such as chairs or tables),
even the baby sitter's fee. Don't forget to set aside some money for
unexpected expenses. If you party becomes too expensive, You can scale back
the number of guests, substitute chicken for those expensive shrimp, or plan
a simpler type of party -- perhaps serving appetizers or dessert rather than
a whole meal. To entertain with elegance without spending a bundle, consider
hosting a participation party -- have the guests help you prepare an
extra-special meal. Or, arrange with several other friends to put on a
progressive dinner, where each course is served in a different home.
When budgeting your time, remember to plan time for preparty chores, such as
cleaning house, washing little-used serving dishes, and ironing tablecloths
or shopping for paper tableware. If your time or cooking skills are limited,
it may be cheaper in the long run to hire a caterer or order takeout.
2.Next decide on what you wish to do on New Years Eve. If it is a party that
you wish to splurge on, then it is important to consider the type and theme
of your party beforehand. For example if its is a Pot Luck party that you
wish to throw, ask your guests each to bring a dish of their choice to add
to the menu. You can however assort your guests the dishes that they would
contribute, to bring in variety to the menu. Keep the dinnerware ready and
also in plenty as the food to be brought in might not be in ready to serve
condition.Thus it would be wise to keep extra serving trays, platters,
bowls, napkins, baskets, cutlery handy.
3.After the party type and theme are decided, it is necessary to prepare a
guest list. Make sure the number of people you invite is appropriate for the
size of your home. For an extra-large party, you may want to rent a banquet
room, reserve a shelter house at a park, or perhaps set up a tent in the
backyard. The right mix of people at your party is as important as the right
food and decorations. Decide whether to invite guests who have common
interests or a group that has wide-ranging interests. A mix of ages can
spark lively conversation.
4.Next important consideration is the venue.
Decide on the Time duration of the Party. Depending on the number of guests
that you are planning to invite, you need to decide on the venue, whether
you will have a open terrace party at home, or you will host the party in
your own premises. If you have a large guest list and space constraints it
would be very necessary to host a party in a hotel, resort, or any other
venue. In that case the venue should not be very far from your home.
5.Guest Invitations.
Hand deliver your party details rolled up in a small wine bottle. Write your
party details on the "tail" of a party blow out. Unroll a party hat, write
information on the inside, fold and send. Blow up a latex balloon, write
party details in permanent marker, deflate balloon to send. Enclose confetti
in the envelope. Take a picture of a clock with its hands pointing to
midnight - write details on the back of the picture.
6.Hired Party Help:
Depending on your budget and also on the number of guests that you are
inviting, you can also hire outside caterers or bartenders, or you may also
distribute work among yourselves.
7.Decide on the menu depending on the theme chosen.
As you list recipes, make notes about how to adjust them to feed the right
number of guests. After you've completed your menu, prepare a timetable to
help you pull off your party. Along with the menu decide on:
A.The style of menu: Sit down menu, buffet, or any other;
B.Types Of appetisers / snacks: BBQ or Fondue or Cocktail Party Snacks, Or
For Kids;
C.Type of beverage or Drinks;
D.Mixture of hot and cold soups / salads, for both vegetarian and
non-vegetarians;
E.Easy to make Main dishes;
F.Appropriate Side dishes;
G.Desserts;
8.Party Decorations.
Decide on the decorations depending on your theme.Buy whatever you need in
advance and decide where to use the decorations, centrepieces, entrance.
Decide in detail the table decoration also.
9.Decide on entertainment ideas.
Decide on entertainment ideas, children games, and other details from start
to end of party. Entertainment is a good alternative to games and
activities. Hire a musician, comedian, magician, a local celebrity, etc. to
entertain your guests.
10.Make Special Plans For Kids:
Special tribute and plans should be made when children are included. Here
are some tips:
A.Provide a special meal area for kids, such as a den, porch, balcony, or a
special area of the party room.
B.Decorate the area with balloons and festive year 2000 touches (streamers,
confetti, party favors). Maybe blend in their own theme, such as space -
Alien or Star Wars.
C.Provide kid friendly seating: small furniture, picnic-style with plastic
tablecover on the floor, Japanese style on pillow seats around a low coffee
table.
D.Prepare special foods: mini-sized portions, individual pizzas, finger
sandwiches. Special ice cream treats or a sundae bar are a big hit for kids
of all ages.New Year Kid Party Recipes.
E.Settings: Colorful themed paper or plastic tableware, bright tablecovers
and place mats personalized with kids' names make a definite statement of
each child's importance.
F.Plan activities for children: craft projects, such as party hats, candy
necklaces - made by kids worn by adults; hired entertainment, dances,
carnival concession-type activities, videos.
G.Set clocks ahead and have a special New Year's Eve celebration oriented
for the children.
11.Post Party Cleanup.
Post party cleanup also should be taken into consideration if you are not
hiring trained help.
