Use This Birthday Party Checklist
To Plan Your Next Party

Easy party planning is at your fingertips with my birthday party checklist. Being prepared when planning a birthday party is the key for ease and fun. This will help you plan a stress free birthday party.

Planning a birthday party seems like such a simple thing, until you actually get started. There are a lot of things to be considered, and if you forget one little detail the party might not be all that you wanted.

Here are Some Tips to Keep In Mind During the Planning Process:

Start the planning process as much ahead of time as possible. You are more likely to miss things if you are in a rush to throw the party together.

Keep the birthday boy or girl in mind throughout the planning process. It is easy to slip into planning a party you would enjoy, without realizing they might enjoy something totally different.
When setting the date and time for your party, keep major holidays and vacation seasons in mind. You don’t want your party to conflict with events you know many of your social circle will be attending.
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to selecting a theme. Find something your guest of honor will enjoy and then personalize it with decorations and games that show you thought about them.

Your Birthday Party Planning Checklist:

To make sure you stay on track and don’t forget anything critical, follow this convenient birthday party planning checklist. You can add other items to the list specific to the party you are planning.

One Month before Your Birthday Party:

Decide if you want to have a large party, or a smaller, more intimate gathering. Set the guest list according to the type and size of party intended.
Set a date and time for the party. Make sure the guest of honor and the most important guests can make it on that date and at that time. Determine about how long the party should last.
Determine an appropriate and fun theme for the party. The theme will guide many decisions to be made later in the party planning process.
Make or buy party invitations that reflect the theme of the party. If you are throwing an elegant 40th birthday party you would choose different invitations than you would for a child’s teddy bear themed birthday party.

Two-Three Weeks before Your Birthday Party:

Send out invitations to all guests with an RSVP.
Keep track of responses by noting the names of guests that will be attending.
Determine the seating arrangement and work on getting enough tables and chairs to accommodate everyone. Make a seating arrangement to cover all guests, unless you want everyone to seat themselves. Plan for a few quests without a proper RSVP to show up anyway and accommodate them as well.
Start purchasing and/or making decorations that fit the party theme. Remember table arrangements as well as other items specific to your theme.
Determine games to be played and other forms of entertainment to be offered.
Purchase door prizes and other items that might be needed for the games and entertainment options.
Put together the menu and schedule the time to prepare for the party. Alternatively, hire a caterer to ensure enough food is provided for the party.
Plan for the birthday cake. If you are making it yourself, make sure to start early so you have enough time to make sure it is just perfect.
Make sure to arrange to have additional help on hand from friends or family on the day of the party. This ensures everything is ready when guests start arriving.

1 Week Before the Party:

If you are not planning to make your own cake, you will want to get it ordered from the bakery. If you are making your own, you can bake it ahead of time now and freeze it to be decorated before the party.
If any food can be prepared ahead of time and frozen, prepare those now to save you time right before the party.
Write out a schedule of party activities and times for the day of the party so everything will go smoothly and helpers can be aware of your plans.

Two Days Before the Birthday Party:

Shop for any perishable food still needed for the party. Don't forget to pick up some candles and matches too!
Check your camera battery and plug in the camcorder so you don't miss a moment later!
Call any invited guests who have not responded to the invitation to get a better guest count.

One Day Before the Party:

sweet 16 party cake

Decorate the cake or pick it up from the bakery.
Make your house child-friendly if it is not. Make sure to put breakables out of reach.
Finish cleaning anything inside the house and decorate any indoor spaces that will be used for the party.
Cook or prepare any food that can be prepped ahead of time.

Party Day!