The right tools can make any job easier, and party planning
is no exception. In this section you'll find helpful tools such as step-by-step
checklists that leave no detail to chance, time lines geared to specific types
of parties, a calendar to mark important dates, and a budget calculator to help
you keep your celebration and your finances on the same track.
The party of your dreams doesn't have to empty your bank account. by Ronelle Grier - Special to the Jewish News Celebrate! March 2010
Danielle Keith of Farmington enjoyed the candy buffet at her bat mitzvah. Can you throw a marvelous party that doesn't blow the lid off your budget? Absolutely. Follow simple guidelines for a celebration that's cost-effective and unforgettable.
Roz Keith, president and creator of the party resource Web site www.partyplanningplus.com, believes it's possible to give a party that's both fabulous and frugal. But first, it's important to establish priorities.
Keith suggests making a list of the things that are most important and then narrowing it down to the top three to five items to help determine how your money should best be spent.
Before you start, take some time to think about the party you envision. Will it take place in a synagogue or a hotel or a more off-beat venue such as a disco or sports place? Will the dress be formal, casual or something in between? What kind of food will you serve and will it be buffet-style or sit-down?
Will there be dancing? If so, do you prefer a live band or a DJ? What will your decor look like? Do you have a theme? Will the centerpieces be elaborate floral arrangements or something more informal, like balloons?
If other family members are involved in the decision-making process, consider holding a meeting before making any definite plans. Give each person a chance to express his or her wishes.
Maybe your daughter has her heart set on hiring a professional entertainment company to emcee her bat mitzvah party, but she couldn't care less about serving an elegant sit-down dinner. Or maybe the bride-and-groom-to-be are willing to limit their guest list so they can have their wedding at a special venue.
If you have a beautiful back yard or outdoor setting, and your event will take place at a time when the weather is likely to cooperate, you may want to consider having the party at home. Keith warns that, while a home-based celebration may be lovely, it may not necessarily be the least-expensive option. "Once you add up all the costs, you may be better off having your party at a synagogue, hotel or clubhouse," said Keith. "Tents can be expensive, especially if you want a dance floor. You may also need heaters or fans. Then there's the caterer, plus rental fees for furniture, tableware, glasses and linens. It adds up pretty quickly."
If you decide to have your party somewhere other than your home, Janice Cherkasky of Gourmet Parties, Inc., in Franklin recommends asking about hidden costs, such as valet parking, tipping, extra room rental charges, sound systems or video equipment, and colored table linens.
For casual parties at any time of year, pot-luck dinners at home are back in vogue, according to Keith.
"It's a great way to share the work and the expense," she said. "Have each guest (or couple) bring a dish and a bottle of wine to go with it and you've got a party."
Whether you're entertaining at home or hosting out-of-town guests who are coming in for the big event, there are a lot of things you can do to transform your house without major renovations or expenditures.
Event planner and designer Dave Heidt suggests making liberal use of potted plants and fresh flowers on your front porch and throughout the house.
"Small things like a fresh welcome mat, new towels, napkins and place mats can make a big difference," said Heidt. "Create conversation areas by rearranging furniture and adding a few inexpensive throw pillows, floor lamps or area rugs."
Clean carpets and a new coat of paint can brighten things up, but make sure you allow plenty of time. You don't want to be tripping over equipment or breathing paint fumes while you're trying to get ready for your big event.
And don't forget the power of de-cluttering. Clear off countertops, tables and other surfaces. Put away everything that isn't party-related. When it comes to decor, Keith recommends looking for creative ways to achieve the look you want without spending more than you can afford.
"If you like fresh flowers, but don't have the budget for ornate arrangements, go to Costco and buy an assortment of cut blooms or pre-made bouquets," said Keith. "If you have a relationship with a certain florist, talk to them about your goals and your budget constraints and see if they're willing to work with you."
One alternative to a lavish sweet table laden with expensive tortes and petit fors is a candy buffet. Containers can be a mix-and-match assortment of glass, ceramic, plastic or metal in varying shapes and sizes; square, round, short and tall. Use vases or drinking glasses to hold licorice sticks or chocolate-dipped pretzels; fill flower pots or colorful bowls with wrapped candy, marshmallow treats and other confections.
Keith warns against cutting corners on certain things, such as photographs and video recordings. She says it may be better to compromise on something else and hire a professional rather than delegate the picture-taking to a well-meaning friend or family member.
"When the party is over, that's all you have left," she said. "You can't go back and redo your photos if you don't like the way they turned out."
Keith puts invitations in the same category. With the plethora of decorative papers, trims and computer programs available today, it's easier than ever to design and print your own invitations for every kind of occasion.
"But this only works if you're creative," she said. "If your invitations are going to turn out looking like a third-grader's art project, you're better off ordering them from an online site or going to a professional."
Keith also recommends saving money by having guests respond via e-mail instead of using a printed reply card with a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
"A limited budget doesn't mean you can't have anything you want," said Keith. "It just means you can't have everything you want. It's a trade-off."
Copyright 2009 Party Planning Plus LLC. All rights reserved.
