| If you have ever hosted a party before, then | | | | may need, but it will cost you so be sure to find |
| you know how much time and elbow grease goes | | | | out if the price is worth the payment. Doing so |
| into the planning process. You can make things | | | | will help you decide whether throwing the party in |
| easier on yourself by creating a checklist | | | | your own home with a hired caterer might be |
| formatted to help you get the most necessary | | | | less expensive. |
| things done and out of the way first. | | | | If you should choose to go ahead and hire a |
| Probably the most important item on your | | | | caterer, you will need to list the prices given by |
| checklist will be your cost for the party. Budgeting | | | | them as well. If you end up deciding that you |
| will allow you to get a more accurate idea of how | | | | don't want to hire a caterer, nor do you want to |
| many guests you can comfortably accommodate, | | | | seek outside vendors for help with the food, you |
| which brings us to item number two on the | | | | could always take on the food preparation |
| checklist. Guests should come next on your | | | | yourself, but you will need to figure out how |
| checklist, as there are multiple elements involved | | | | much this will cost you as well. |
| in this item. | | | | Whichever you choose, be sure to add a space |
| For instance, you should consider how many | | | | on your party planning checklist for reminders so |
| people to invite, as well as the process of | | | | that you can confirm any venues or caterers you |
| purchasing, writing out, and sending invitations. Be | | | | may have decided on chosen as the date of your |
| sure to make a deadline for sending out the | | | | party draws nearer. |
| invitations, and stick to it. Invitations should go out | | | | Some of the less crucial, but equally as important |
| no less than three weeks before your party is | | | | items on your checklist may include plates and |
| scheduled to be held. You should give guests up | | | | utensils, cups or glasses, napkins, food and drinks. |
| to two weeks to RSVP, so that they don't feel | | | | Some hosts will choose to gift party favors at |
| pressured if they need to figure out their | | | | the end of the evening to thank their guests for |
| schedules. | | | | attending, in which case you will also need to |
| The locale where the party is to take place should | | | | research, acquire, and prepare the favors. |
| be next on your party planning checklist. If the | | | | While this is really a general guideline to use when |
| location is foggy to you, you can always research | | | | creating a checklist, it's important to realize that all |
| hiring a professional vendor, if you have the funds | | | | parties vary in detail, as do the desires of the |
| to do so. Use your checklist to jot down pricing | | | | host. All of that said, you can be sure that you |
| and estimates when you speak to vendors on | | | | and your plans will stay organized, and the end |
| the phone. | | | | results will prove worthwhile by keeping a party |
| Many vendors will happily supply any food you | | | | planning checklist. |