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You may be having champagne dreams while your bank account can only shoulder soft drink essentials. There are ways to incorporate any budget into your event planning and still come out with a party to be proud of.
One of the first tricks to cut cost may be in the time of day you have your event. If you are hosting something like a birthday party or a wedding or baby shower, choosing to have it in the early afternoon has many benefits when it comes to your pocketbook. While you are in the event planning stage, consider the difference in cost when you are only supplying light beverages and small snacks as opposed to a full bar and an entire dinner. The money saved would be noticeable.
Most people don't indulge in alcoholic beverages in the early afternoon, so you could instead serve a punch or coffee or iced tea. This is very refreshing and along with some small snacks and perhaps a tray of assorted sweet tooth delights, you've offered your guests refreshment without the added cost that an event later in the day requires.
Another consideration when event planning is whether or not you need the services of a caterer. Caterers can be invaluable, especially when you are hosting an event of a significant size. If however, your guest list isn't as vast, doing much of the menu planning and cooking yourself can save more than a few pennies.
Perhaps the best money saving technique when it comes to the area of food is to host a potluck event. This idea can be included as part of your event planning process. You plan the party or gathering based on the idea that every guest will supply an item of food or drink. Some many bring a main course or a salad while others will bring a bottle of wine. Once everyone has arrived there is an enormous amount of different food to sample. This is a great way to include the guests in the party planning process and they feel good knowing they've contributed.
Food isn't the only area that you can scrimp and save in. If you are hosting a children's birthday party you can ask a friend or relative to dress up as a clown instead of hiring a clown. There are many adults who love to interact with children and the only payment they'd expect would be a room full of young smiles and a slice of birthday cake. Decorations also don't have to break your budget. If you're hosting a garden party, you can create beautiful, soft lighting by hanging the white lights that normally adorn your holiday tree around your garden. Your guests won't be the wiser, but you will for having opted not to invest in a new set of lights you probably will never use again.
Careful thought while you are event planning can save you money and let you enjoy your party without fretting about finances.
"Ha!! You organize a party? You wouldn't have any idea."
Little did he know you had hundreds of ideas. And...a way to make them ALL work.
What's all the fuss?
Ideas are one thing, planning another and organizing yourself to do it all is perhaps the key.
So, let's keep this party planning stuff extra S-I-M-P-L-E. I believe there are only three basic steps to planning a successful party or event.
Yep, only three!
Here they are:
1st : The Ideas Or Theme -- this will send the party into orbit and giove your planning direction.
2nd: The Plan -- How are you going to do it all -- with ease?
3rd: Showtime! -- Put all your work into action when it counts.
Each has its own pitfalls and peculiarities. Today we'll focus on the Idea - not so much where they come from, but what you do with them. I will also create with you a way to prepare for every party you'll ever organize.
Yes. That's the promise.
This stuff is TOTALLY TRANSFERABLE to other events, functions, occasions from birthday parties, to graduations, funerals, (Yes!!, funerals) and what ever you can imagine. It all starts with an idea...
What is an idea really....?
The idea is the spark that ignites you -- the fuel and machinery -- to get this all done.
I get asked every day, "How do you come up with really good ideas?"
The trick is to have plenty to begin with!
Before you can even get ideas you have to put aside time to let your brain know that you are in idea-generation mode. This is a habit that will serve you well in other areas of your life: work, parenting...so what we are talking about is a transferable mindset or something that you can apply elsewhere.
Yep, let you brain know. Give your self permission to stop and do this for someone else.
I developed and use the Party Idea Cycle™ a cool-tool to get the ideas into some order.
The cycle is 7 simple steps to using ideas:
Step One: Solo Ponder
You with you running your thoughts about the idea of you organizing someone's celebration. For some this is Massive! This time is to reflect on what's needed of you, and to be ultra sure that you are going to commit to doing this. This commitment is crucial. Half baked is half baked. We are playing with peoples feelings and, on a day or a time when they are no:1. Anything pulling that focus is not needed. Half baked has a tendency to pull focus!
Step Two: Catch the idea
Gather the elements that represent the person in question have them around you. Things like: magazines, music, food, movies, their culture, likes, hates ...do the big brain dumpo and throw all your thoughts on paper. DO NOT EDIT these nuggets. Just get them down. I have a lot of these ideas on tap at BBPI. How? Habit mostly. I have trained myself to catch ideas as the pop.
Step Three: Grow the idea
Use the rule of three. Learnt in my tour guiding days, don't try and put any more than three big elements together. Put them in some order and link them in some way, so that there is a continuous flow during the time.
Step Four: Engage the masses
Get others involved. Choose wisely and really make sure they are clear on their role.
Step Five: Take the idea out on the highway.,br>
Use Mental Rehearsal and have a Run Sheet. No matter how small the occasion, have it clearly stated what will happen, when, and who is responsible.
Step Six: Unleash the Beast
Put the plan into action.
Step Seven: Rewind the memories
After all is done and dusted, spend time running the mental dvd, to lock in the memory. Revisit the photos, meet up and "debrief". Tell the world!
There's seven for you to mull over, discuss and hopefully put into practice.
Another "half step"...
There is one more that I believe is really important.
What's the half step, I hear you ask? That's the extra bit, the bit that can make it all worth while. The cherry on the cake!!
You see, the focus on this article has been on you doing for others, what you do, how you think and who you engage to help. That's fine and all very valid. BUT-- and it's a big but -- the EXTRA juice is to forget about them at the end and acknowledge you for conceiving-planning-and-carrying out the whole operation.
You've conceived a plan, nurtured it, given it birth and allowed others to get together and enjoy themselves.
So, what are you waiting for...Take a bow!!!