Your Party Timeline
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This step-by-step party timeline can make planning the big event a piece of cake.
4-8 weeks out
- Pick a date
- Set a budget
- Decide on the number of guests
- If the party will be held outside your home, select and reserve a location. If you choose an outdoor location, come up with a plan for bad weather.
- Let your child help choose the theme
- Make a guest list
- Book entertainment, if necessary
2-3 weeks out
- Fill out and mail invitations
- Keep a list of invitees near the phone to track RSVPs
- Enlist your child's help to select activities and games for the party
- Assemble prizes
- Decide on party favors
- Plan the menu
- If you aren't baking a cake, order one
- Ask a relative or babysitter to help out during the festivities
1 week ahead
- Decide on the order of activities
- Test new games and activities
- Make a grocery list
- Buy paper plates, napkins, decorations, balloons, party hats, and other supplies
- Confirm reservations for entertainment or party location
2-3 days ahead
- Call guests who haven't responded
- Shop for food, candles for the cake, candy for treat bags or the piñata
- Make sure you have fresh batteries and film for the camera
- Assemble treat bags
1 day ahead
- Clean the party area thoroughly, taking special care to remove any hazardous or fragile objects
- Bake or pick up the cake
- Order takeout food (such as pizza), if necessary
- Discuss party expectations with your children
- Practice saying “thank you” with younger children
4-5 hours before guests arrive
- Set the table
- Lay out crafts
- Inflate balloons
- Decorate
- Tie balloons to your mailbox or front porch so guests can locate the party easily
- Find matches for candles
- Make sure you have a pen and paper to record gifts
- Have a large trash bag available to dispose of wrapping paper
1 hour before guests arrive
- Consider putting pets in an area away from guests. In many cases it works best to keep pets away from overly curious children (who may also be allergic or afraid).
- Get your children and yourself dressed
- Put food out on the table and candles in the cake
- Set up crafts and activities
During the party
- Station your child and yourself near the front door to welcome guests
- If parents are dropping off children, confirm the pick-up time (and be sure you have a contact number in case of emergency)
- Take photos (or designate another adult to do so)
- Celebrate!
The day after
- Help your child write thank-you notes to party guests
