THE BEST PARTY:
Parties are fun and everyone loves a good party. Birthday parties are
legendary from your first to your last and all those in-between. Maybe
it is all part of our ego, being the center of attention for at least
a couple of hours, whatever, we all look forward, at least as kids, to
our birthday and many adults still do as well. Of course birthdays aren't
the only reason to throw a party but it is the most common followed by
anniversaries and the various holidays and now even sports events and
other events that happen in our lives: and don't forget retirement.
The "Birthday Party" however seems to be the biggy. Most everyone likes
to celebrate the day they blest this world with their arrival, naked and
screaming. I wouldn't suggest a repeat of that however. Birthday parties
are fun. When you are a kid it's the day you look most forward to other
than Christmas.
Themes are good...This year for my grandson's ninth birthday he wanted
to have a "Pet Party"...he loves animals. The games planned all have to do
with animals...Charades for one where everyone has to guess what animal
you are, there will be a tug of war and a treasure hunt to find doggie bones. Of course there are prizes for all, no one will go home empty handed. To attend
this party you need to come with a gift...not for my grandson (though he likes presents too and I am sure there will be some) but a pet gift, food, toy, treat,
a blanket that will be donated to the local Humane Society Animal Shelter.
This was his idea. I thought it was pretty cool. The Food for this party,
well, these are 8-9-10 year olds, what else but pizza, side bowls of "Puppychow
for People" raw fruits and veggies, chips and punch. I don't expect there
will be much in the way of leftovers. These are mostly 9 year old boys and
nine year old boys are always hungry. There is a time limit on this party,
1:00 to 4:00...you can have a lot of fun in 3 hours. The guest list are
those boys and girls he is closest friends with and a few family members. It
is being held outdoors in one of the local school recreation areas (a safe place)
and arrangements have been made to use the school gym in case of rain. (another
safe place). The invitations were sent out 3 weeks ago with RSVP so we know
how many to expect. Of course there is the Birthday Cake, it is a dog and cat
to go with the theme of his party. The party is well planned and I think it
will go off without a hitch.
my share of them as well. Most of them have been fun but
there have been a few that were flops. The very worse parties were those
involving politics and an open bar in the same room with to many people
who didn't really like each other...But the BEST Parties, and oh, I've
been to some wonderful parties were those that were kept small and everyone
there was a friend. Your family members can be your friends too, in fact they should be your friends and if they aren't there is a problem you need
to get worked out. Family is important.
Parties don't have to be elaborate affairs. Sometimes less is more.
When you are planning a party think about WHY you are having the party.
Is it just the opportunity to enjoy the company of a few friends, the cook
out or barbecue in the back yard, dinner with a few special friends? Maybe
it is a birthday or anniversary, a special holiday you really look forward
to, the Superbowl, of course, if you love football, a welcome home party
or a grand send off for someone starting off on a new venture in their life,
the bridal shower, the baby shower, celebrating your new home, your retirement,
back to school, here comes summer...there are a thousand, thousand reasons to
have a party and the party should be a comfortable and enjoyable affair for
everyone there including the host and hostess who should not be so busy making
sure everything is perfect that they aren't enjoying the party themselves.
WHERE and WHEN are you holding this party? What is the time frame?
Party invitations should state this and be sent out at the very least two weeks in
advance of the event, a month is good. People have busy lives, not that the
impromptu get together isn't fun and can't work well but a "PARTY" should be
well planned.
How many people are you going to invite and are you having a sit down dinner
or a buffet or just snacks, finger foods? How elaborate do you want this
party to be...the more elaborate the more time and expense need to go into it.
Alcohol or no alcohol? It is your party, you set the rules.
Whatever you plan for a party or the reason you have for giving it, plan ahead.
The best parties I have ever given or attended were those that were well
planned, kept small and the host and hostess were free to be a part of it.
Sometimes less is more.
Author...Annette Bromley.
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