How to plan a small party with a few friends

It’s not too late to plan your Get Together – here are 12 tips for planning your Greatest one ever

The next Great Get Together weekend is planned for the 19-21 June 2020. Thousands of people up and down the country will be bringing together neighbours, friends and communities to have fun and celebrate everything we have in common!

If you’re already planning your event make sure to add it to our interactive map here!

And if not, it’s not too late to plan your own! Whether you host a street party, a picnic or sports day, you will be part of something really big.

Here are 12 simple tips for organising a GREAT Get Together.

1. Decide on a time

Think about which dates and days would suit most of the people in your community so that everyone can make it. The most important thing is bringing people together, so if the official weekend of The Great Get Together doesn’t suit you, go ahead and choose another date.

2. Decide on a place

Remember – a Get Together doesn’t have to be big or complicated! It can be a few friends in your home, or a picnic in the park.

If you can’t host your own Get Together, take a look at our interactive map to find out about events happening near you. We’ll also be sharing news on social media, so keep an eye on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram for details on all the wonderful events happening as well as any posters or leaflets in your local area.

3. Have a think about the type of event you want to plan

Your Get Together can be anything you want – whether it’s baking for your neighbours, organising a BBQ sports match or throwing a street party. You can find out some more ideas here on what makes a wonderful Great Get Together.

4. Check in with the council

It is also always worth speaking to your local council! If you want to close your road, some extra planning might be needed, and they will able to guide you with what you will need to do.

Some local councils have ‘Communities’ teams which may be interested to know what you’re planning, and in some cases, they may be able to offer you some financial support!

5. Check whether you will need insurance

Getting insurance for your event depends on the kind of event you are planning to organise! If you are planning a small event and using a private space then you won’t need to get insurance. If you are planning a bigger event, insurance and carrying out a risk assessment might be necessary, take a look at our FAQs for more details.

6. Spread the word

Invite as many or as few as you are able to! A great place to start is adding your event to the interactive map on our website so people can find your event when they search your area.

You can advertise your event more traditionally with posters and leaflets, or through social media – either way, we have lots of resources here to help with this.

Remember – inviting people face-to-face is also a great way to encourage people to join in.

7. Decide on the food

Make the food as simple or as fancy as you want. You can always ask others to bring something!

Take a look at these recipes from Jamie Oliver, which are perfect for uniting those around you and represent some of the dishes that Jo Cox loved.

Organising small, private street parties and community events should be simple and things like risk assessments, licenses and health and safety certificates aren’t normally necessary.

8. Decide on some activities

Games are a great way to meet new people! You could create a local history quiz, or encourage people to get crafty by making hanging paper birds, like Julie.

We’ve put together lots of resources to help here, including a wonderful ‘More in Common’ colouring sheet you can print and have a colouring competition for the children

You can also print some of our conversation menus and put them out on the tables to encourage guests to be brave and strike up a conversation with someone new.

9. Have a think about any extra equipment you might need

Make sure you have enough chairs, tables and picnic blankets to accommodate everyone.

10. Decide on a party soundtrack

Guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government states you can play music without a license at your event as long as amplified music is not one of the main purposes of your event. So why not make sure you create the perfect party playlist in advance?

11. Get your gingham on!

Don’t forget to incorporate The Great Get Together theme in your event. You can find loads of ways to go crazy with gingham here!

12. Finally – sit back and enjoy!

Please do share your experience of the day!

Post your photos, videos and stories on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtags #GreatGetTogether or #MoreInCommon.

On Facebook, please tag us @jocoxmoreincommon. You can also email them to us at [email protected] .

We’re really excited to see the snaps of Get Togethers – big or small.

The Great Get Together was an initiative founded in 2017 by the family and friends of Jo Cox in partnership with more than 100 organisations. Since then we’ve heard from all quarters that the Great Get Together shouldn’t be a one-off, so it’s now a project of The Jo Cox Foundation (registered charity number 117083).

15 May · Roi Ravid · 2 Comments

Plan Your Party in 10 Easy Steps

It takes preplanning and thought to host a party that everyone will talk about months after the event. If you do things right, you can ensure that all of your guests will have a great time building memories. Here are the steps to planning an enjoyable party.

Where you have the party will make the difference in how many people you can invite, what activities you can provide, and many other options. You can have a party indoors, outdoors, at your house, at a friend or relative’s house, a rented hall, or a restaurant. The season and occasion will obviously influence this choice.

How about a costume party? A dinner party? A dance? A slumber party? The theme is a crucial element because it will determine what guests will wear and how they will pass the time at the party. If the theme is poor, it won’t be as much fun for everyone, so choose wisely. Make sure guests know the specifics of the party theme well in advance of the date.

Exactly how much money are you willing and able to spend on this get-together? Set your budget early and stick to it as closely as possible. If you are planning with someone else, this is an important detail to agree upon.

Try to pick a day when a majority of the people you would like to invite will be able to attend. Check local event schedules and ask close friends what date is best if you are planning a holiday party. If in doubt, plan your party early in December to avoid losing guests due to trips and other scheduling conflicts.

Form a list of people that you would like to attend. Make or purchase invitations and send them out. Go green and email invitations with many of the free invitation websites available. Be sure to include the occasion, date and time, location, and contact information so they can let you know if they will attend, not attend, or bring a guest (if guests are allowed). Depending on the type of party, you may send invitations weeks or months in advance. A wedding invitation, for example, should go out two months ahead, while a birthday party may only need two weeks notice, unless it is close to a holiday.

Start planning what you will serve and who will prepare each dish. Plan to include menu items that you can prepare the week before the party. Don’t forget drinks like punch, coffee, or liԛuor. Even if you are serving a meal, you might want to have snack foods available, such as vegetables or chips with dip, fruit salad, or cheese and crackers.
Make sure that utensils will be available: plates, napkins, cups, and plasticware or silverware. If you are concerned about the amount of trash this party will create consider a green alternative. Rent glassware and china from a rental company. They will drop off and pick up dirty dinnerware after your party.

If it is a dance party with a DJ, dancing will naturally take place. Make sure you book the DJ well in advance and have an area cleared for guests that are inspired to move and groove. Think back on previous parties and you might realize that certain friends reԛuire a large amount of space to bust their moves! Consider setting up games in another area to keep guests occupied and mingling.

Select appropriate music for the theme of your party. If you don’t have a DJ you can play your own music, and download requests from iTunes. You may also want to ask some guests to bring their music. Another option is to play the radio.

If you are having the party at home, make sure you have cleaned up and organized at least a day or two before. In the final hours before the party, you will be decorating, setting up games, and making sure the mood is right when guests arrive. Make sure that the lighting is appropriate. Check the restrooms for extra toilet paper, tissue and soap.
If you are having your party off-site, arrive at the location two hours ahead so you can be sure that things arrive and are set up as planned.

Bring Memorable Style to Your Garden Party

Enjoying a beautiful outdoor space is one of the highlights of warm weather. If you have a yard, patio, or terrace filled with plants and flowers, you’re already in great shape to throw a chic garden party. Then, it’s just about formulating the guest list and ironing out the details where you can incorporate your personal style. Pick out your best wide-brimmed hat and sundress, and follow these steps to create a memorable garden party.

Pick the Location

Many people opt to have a backyard garden party on their own property. But if you don’t have a suitable space of your own, your first step is to go location scouting.

Perhaps a friend or family member is willing to share their outdoor space. City dwellers often can book community gardens, rooftop decks, or other facilities for garden party entertaining. Another option is to look outside of your immediate area for an appropriate location, such as a farm, that accepts reservations for outdoor events. Make sure any location you’re considering can accommodate all of your guests and any special needs.

Send Invitations

Unless you’re planning a very formal garden party, a sweetly designed online invitation sent via email should do the trick. There are many free apps that can create an invitation for you if you’re not that computer-savvy. However, if you’re feeling extra crafty, a handwritten paper invitation always adds a nice touch. Handmade invites are warm, personal, and fun to keep as mementos.

Regardless of which invitation format you choose, remember to explain what the event is (a garden party), and advise guests on attire, what they should bring, and any other particulars. Also, include the standard invitation details: the host, time, date, location, and RSVP information. Aim to send the invitations at least two weeks in advance.

Choose a Color Palette

To pull all the details of your garden party together, it’s best to select a color palette that matches your surroundings. For instance, if dahlias are in bloom, choose deep reds, scarlet, burgundy, and magenta for your decor. Or if you’ll be using sunflowers as centerpieces, pick a neutral table setting to let the yellow pop.

In general, you can’t go wrong with shades of green for garden party decor to emphasize your natural surroundings. And white flowers are always a beautiful, flexible option to match any party theme.

Plan the Menu

Planning a thoughtful menu is just as important as picking the perfect location when it comes to a garden party. Choose foods, such as small tea sandwiches and salads, that are easy to prepare in advance. Allocate time the day before and the day of your party for cooking. And don’t feel ashamed to ask for help. Many guests would be happy to contribute dishes or help you prepare yours.

Moreover, don’t forget about beverages. A seasonal, self-serve punch or cocktail is always a crowd-pleaser at a garden party. Wine is also great to have on hand in chilled ice buckets. Provide options to suit your guests’ tastes. And remember to have plenty of water on hand, especially in warm weather.

Arrange Flowers and Planters

Table floral arrangements are perfect to set the tone of a garden party. You can either hire a florist, ask a friend to help, or do them yourself. Many local supermarkets or farmers markets have quite an impressive and seasonally appropriate array of options when it comes to flowers. Often a few small bud vases or a long natural garland display can make for simple, yet elegant floral decor. Let your natural surroundings do most of the talking when it comes to a garden party.

Throwing a garden party in an urban setting can prove difficult in terms of natural ambiance. In this case, invest in some pretty planters to make your own urban outdoor oasis. A couple of small trees or pots of flowers can go a long way to create the perfect garden party atmosphere for city living.

Trim the Table

If you’re hosting the garden party at your home and don’t already have outdoor furniture, it might be time to invest in some quality pieces. You often can score a deal on beautiful vintage patio furniture if you’re willing to shop around. Plus, discussing vintage finds can be a great icebreaker at outdoor gatherings.

For the place settings, dishes with floral patterns are always fitting for a chic garden party. But don’t get too hung up on matching everything. A garden party is the perfect time to mix and match your favorite plates and patterns, as long as the overall vibe is cohesive. For example, if you want to use a variety of plates, set them with only one napkin color. Or if you don’t want to have to worry about matching, go with an all-white place setting. That way, your flowers and scenery will be the star.

Organize Seating

A seating chart is not always necessary, but it can help your party move along smoothly and introduce your guests to each other. If you’re inviting an assortment of people who aren’t familiar with one another, they might appreciate a seating chart that naturally allows them to make friends. Try to seat people together who have things in common, so the conversation flows easily.

If you do create a seating chart for your garden party, you might as well go the extra mile and make pretty place cards for guests that fit with the rest of your decor. It’s a small touch, but many guests appreciate the time and consideration on the part of the host.

Don’t Forget Music

For any party, it’s always nice to have music softly playing in the background. Music can especially help the first few guests to arrive feel at ease when the setting is still fairly quiet.

Sometimes, people prefer throwing small birthday parties and celebrating with a few family members and friends. You can throw a small birthday party at home or even out at a restaurant or park. Small birthday party ideas include karaoke, an ice cream party, scavenger hunt and even a WWE Wrestlemania party.

Karoke Party

Even small birthday parties can include a karaoke machine, which are relatively inexpensive to rent for the evening. The smaller crowd will allow everyone to sing as much as they want. You can choose songs from a particular decade, or select particular songs that people can choose from a hat. Make sure the birthday girl or boy gets to open and close the show. Include plenty of balloons, streamers and party favors. Everyone can vote on the best performance of the night. Award the winner with a door prize.

Ice Cream Party

Ice cream parties are not just for large crowds. Small groups of kids or adults can enjoy them, too. Since your having a small party, travel to the store together and purchase all the ice cream and your favorite toppings. When you return to the house, take turns making everyone’s favorite dish. Another option is to buy every topping imaginable and create a hodgepodge of ice cream and toppings, according to Stretcher.com. Be as creative as possible, then everyone can indulge. However, make sure the birthday boy or girl gets the first taste.

Scavenger Hunt

Throw a scavenger hunt birthday party if you have four, six or an even number of people. Exclude yourself as the party organizer because your job will be to hide the items. Split everyone up into two or three teams. You can hide the items locally in the house or yard, or in strategic places around town. For example, you can give everyone a clue to find the first item. A second clue can be left at the location of the first item, and so on. Make sure everyone leaves the clues behind for the team that lags behind. Place clues and items in small plastic boxes and tape them to buildings or objects. Make sure you place each item in an inconspicuous place so nobody removes them. Award door prizes to the winners.

WWE Wrestlemania Party

A WWE Wrestlemania party is especially geared toward young kids. Invite everyone to dress their kid up as their favorite wrestler. Set up some friendly competitive games if you have enough people. For example, let the kids play musical chairs, tug of war, hot potato and other competitive games. Declare the kid kid with the most victories as the overall winner. Give the boy or girl a door prize like a free pass to a children’s restaurant. Give everyone else a small prize for participating. However, most importantly, do not forget the cake, ice cream or other treats.

You can still have the intimate wedding you want—even with a huge clan.

Every bride dreads the idea of trimming loved ones off the wedding guest list. It becomes even more impossible seeming if you both come from large families and are blessed to have a big group of friends. But if you and your partner dream of having a small, intimate wedding, it’s an essential part of the planning process. So how do you ultimately decide who get’s an invite and who gets crossed off the list? And how do you deal with an upset family member who realizes they won’t be coming to the party?

Here, Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert and owner of The Protocol School of Texas, shares her tips on how to stick to a small guest list, even when it seems totally out of the question.

Meet the Expert

Diane Gottsman is a nationally-renowned etiquette expert and owner of The Protocol School of Texas. She is also an author, popular industry resource, and media personality.

Only Invite the A-Listers

Most couples start plotting their guest list by divvying family and friends into A, B, and C tiers. For a small wedding, stick solely to the A group to ensure just those you’d really love at your celebration receive an invitation. “A good rule of thumb is if they’re not on your holiday card list, you should not feel guilty about omitting them,” Gottsman says. “Don’t worry that they’re going to see it on Facebook. It is what it is. People understand.”

Throw Expectations Out the Window

It may sound harsh, but you’re really not obligated to invite anyone, Gottsman says. Not your college roommate you haven’t spoken to since graduation or your second cousin who invited you to her wedding a few years back.

Set Boundaries Early

Though it may be news to you, your parents and future in-laws probably have an idea of whom they’d like to invite to the big day. And if they’re contributing to the wedding budget, you may feel the need to oblige. But if you’d rather not utter your vows in front of friends of your parents that you barely know, set the expectation early and give each set of parents a predetermined number of invitations available to them. “That doesn’t mean you have to come across as punitive,” Gottsman says. “You need to say to your parents—or step-parents, or whoever it might be—you get to choose 10 guests or 50 guests, whatever the comfortable number for you is.” Stick to that number, and you won’t feel that added pressure to invite people you’re not close to. “It’s not about their celebration,” Gottsman says. “It’s your celebration.”

Consider a Destination Wedding

The foolproof way to keep your guest list down? Jet set. “It does tend to minimize the guest list a little bit, to filter it out,” Gottsman says. Simply taking the wedding out of town will increase the financial and time commitment of your guests, which will ensure just those closest to you take the plunge. Still, be sure to only invite those you truly want to be there, Gottsman advises. Don’t bank on people declining the invitation—there’s always a chance they’ll RSVP yes.

Limit Children and Plus-Ones

A good way to keep the guest list from exploding is to set a threshold for who gets an invite, say only adults over the age of 18. “Some parents will be offended if their children aren’t invited,” Gottsman says. “But in this case, on this afternoon or night or morning, it’s not about the parents.”

If there’s room for your many cousins but not enough room to give the young ones a plus-one, consider only allowing plus-ones for long-term relationships.

Ensure No One’s Feelings Are Hurt

Once invitations are out, word may trickle in that a family member is upset they didn’t find an invite in the mail. Be ready to deal with those who feel snubbed. “Pick up the phone and say, ‘I hear through uncle so-and-so that you’re unhappy because you didn’t get invited, but I just wanted you to know it was a really tough decision, and we just needed to keep our numbers low. Please don’t take it personally,'” Gottsman suggests. If a distant aunt who wasn’t invited still sends a gift, send a gracious thank-you note but don’t feel pressured to add her to your perfectly edited guest list.

Adult Birthday Party Overview

Celebrating one’s birthday is a special event that’s meant to be shared with loved ones. Adults enjoy parties as much as children and it’s really nice when people honor your birthday by sharing the day with you. If you are celebrating an important milestone, such as turning 30, 40, 50, or even 60, then it should be celebrated with all the fanfare. A typical birthday party for an adult consists of family and friends, and usually involves a dinner, games, music and much more.

The Host’s To-Do List

Pre-planning: A month before the party

Preparing for a party with extra time is the best way to guarantee that you’ll have a relatively hassle-free birthday party after.

1. Choose the date. The ideal day for a party is over the weekend. This ensures that your guests will be available. You can pick the weekend before or after your actual birthday.
2. Pick the venue. If you want an intimate party with just friends and family, then host the party at your house. If you want something more formal, then go with a restaurant or hotel function room.
3. Your guest list. Make a list of all the guests that you want invited to you party so you won’t forget anyone.
4. Send your birthday invitations. Once your venue and date are set, send out your birthday party invitations to your guest list.
5. Budget. Avoid spending too much money by having a budget set before starting your birthday party planning.

Planning the Details: 3 weeks before the party

With just weeks to plan for everything, it’s time to decide on the menu, decorations, and entertainment or games.

• Food – a buffet is the most popular and easiest method of serving food, especially if you’re having the party in a restaurant or at home. It’s relatively less expensive than having an ala carte menu. Serve snacks for guests to nibble on while waiting for dinner to be served.

• Decorations – it’s easier to decorate if you have a theme. Many of our birthday party decorations can be matched to suit any theme.

• Entertainment and games – to make the event more fun, prepare some activities and games to keep the guests entertained. Keep activities related to the theme you chose. Play your favorite music to entertain the guests.

• Favors – your guests will greatly appreciate a keepsake from your birthday party. Be sure to give out birthday party favors that are tied to your theme. For instance, personalized playing cards make the perfect favors for a casino themed birthday party. For more ideas, check out our party favors for adults.

Adult Birthday Party Etiquette FAQs

Planning a birthday party can be a stressful event that is why you must never hesitate to ask for help whenever you can. Here are a few more helpful tips to keep you on track:

Should I serve alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks at the party? Serve a variety of drinks. Not every one wants to drink even it is a weekend. Serve both kinds of drinks and let your guests choose. They’ll appreciate it even more that you’ve thought of them when you planned your menu.

Is it really ok to ask my invited guests to help out during the party?
Absolutely. You can ask a really close relative or friend to come in early to help you set-up the food, decorations, tables and chairs. The party will go on more smoothly if you delegate some of the work.

How do I become the perfect host?
Make sure you go around and talk to all your guests. They came to the party to share your special day with YOU. Don’t stay with a group too long because the other guests may feel unattended.

How do I get to have fun at my party when I worry about how it’s going?
That is the importance of delegating some of the task to other people. It will relieve you of some of the stress so you can have fun too. After all, it is your birthday bash, so celebrate!

SheKnows Editorial

Planning a party can become an overwhelming event, if everything is put off to the last minute. Therefore, we have come up with a surefire way to help you plan for your event, without adding any more stress to your everyday life!

Four to six weeks before the BIG DAY!

• Choose a theme.
• Make a guest list
• Pick a date and time.
• Decide if it will be indoors or outside.
• Decide if you will have it at home, go to a park, or pay for a hall.
• Decide on the day’s activities; what time to eat, what games to play, what crafts to do, etc.
• Order your party supplies; including favors, decorations, wrapping paper, tape, plates, plasticware, cups, and piñatas.
• Order your entertainment; get written receipts and read those contracts. (i.e. music and dj, magician, clown, farm animals, balloon bouncer, etc.)

Three weeks before the BIG DAY!

• Send out invitations; asking for RSVP’s by a certain date and time. Place a list of those you invited next to the phone to record RSVP’s.
• Go over directions for the games and make sure you have everything.
• Go over directions for the crafts and make sure you have everything.
• Go out and purchase anything you may be missing for games and crafts.
• Solicit help from family members and friends. (i.e. clean up, games, taking pictures, answering phones and doors)

Two weeks before the BIG DAY!

• If you haven’t received any RSVP’s, call to make sure they are coming.
• Confirm your helpers can still attend and what their duties will be.
• Pick out prizes for games and wrap them.
• Order the cake.
• Confirm your entertainment. If this is an adult party, hire your babysitter.

One week before the BIG DAY!

• Call all confirmed guests and remind them of the big day, double checking directions.
• Purchase film, batteries, video tape and back up disposable film.
• Purchase food and candies.
• Make up the goodie bags based on confirmations.
• Prepare the crafts and games.

One day before the BIG DAY!
Prepare your foods ahead of time. If anything can be cooked and reheated, now is the time. In the evening, when everyone is in bed, clean the house and set up the party spot. (If you rented a hall, you can usually ask to get in the night before, provided they haven’t a morning event. If you are going to a park, you’ll just have to wait till the morning of the event, sorry.)

Day of the BIG DAY!

• Pick up the cake.
• Blow up and set out balloons four hours before the event.
• Shower, get dressed, ready the kids.
• HAVE FUN!

Week after the BIG DAY!
Send out thank you notes to all the helpers and those who gave gifts!

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One of the hardest parts of moving (if not the hardest part) is having to say goodbye to friends, coworkers and neighbors. Whether you’re moving for an exciting job opportunity or for a family commitment, relocating to a new city is almost always bittersweet. Even if you’re thrilled for the new adventure, it’s still sad to bid adieu to the ones you love. Not to mention, it’s also extremely difficult to say goodbye to everyone in person in such a short amount of time. To make parting with friends easier, we highly recommend throwing one last hurrah before you move.

Hosting a goodbye party is the single best way to personally say goodbye to everyone and to celebrate your new adventure. Here are a few tips for throwing a last minute goodbye party without (many) tears!

Determine the place, date and time

Chances are, you won’t have more than a few months to plan a goodbye party. That means your venue choices may be limited. Also, considering the fact that your home is currently filled to the brim with boxes, hosting the goodbye party at your house probably isn’t the best idea. That leaves two options: you can either have a friend host the party at their place or you can host it somewhere outside the home, such as a restaurant or bar. If you choose to host your goodbye party at a public venue, you may want to call the restaurant to reserve a private room or space for your guests. If you’re hosting a small goodbye party, then a dinner party will probably suffice. Planning more of a “drop by” kind of event? Then hosting at a bar where people can come and go easily makes the most sense.

When selecting the party’s date and time, take your guests into consideration. If you’re planning to host it on a weekday, you’ll want to make sure your guests have plenty of time to get there after work. If you’re hosting it during the weekend, you’ll need to send out your invites as soon as possible to make sure people save the date.

Create the guest list

Unless you prefer a small, intimate gathering of your closest friends, I recommend casting a wide net when hosting a goodbye party. Anyone who you wish to see one last time before the move should certainly get an invitation – along with friendly neighbors and close coworkers. Just make sure your venue can fit the number of people on the guest list. Remember: this could be your last time seeing your loved ones for a while – or at least until you decide to visit after the move. So make your guest list count!

Find a theme

If you’re really looking to get creative, I suggest incorporating an appropriate theme into your party. If you’re moving somewhere well-known, it may be a fun idea to host your goodbye party at a restaurant or bar that reflects your new city. For instance, if you’re moving to Boston, host the goodbye party at an Irish bar. If you’re moving to Texas, host it at a Texas BBQ place. Hosting it at a venue that allows decor? Bring in your own themed decorations. From a goodbye banner to framed photos, there are plenty of ways to make your goodbye party a memorable experience.

Send out invitations

Send out your invitations as soon as you have a venue, date and time secured. If you’re moving at the last minute, you may just need to settle for a quick email to friends. Plenty of websites also provide easy-to-create online invites. I suggest looking at Paperless Post, Minted and Evite to find customized online invitations to fit your venue and theme. All you have to do is enter the email address of each guest, and the site will send the invite straight to their inbox.

Short speech

Finally, once all of your friends are gathered in one place, it’s time to party. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to say a few words at some point during the celebration. Let your friends know how much their friendship has meant (and still means) to you; mention a few funny highlights from the past few years; and toast to a successful and exciting new venture in a new city!

Get the latest from TODAY

A summer without backyard barbecues is as hard to imagine as a fall without pumpkin spice. But as many states are still battling new cases of coronavirus, it’s looking like many of us won’t be attending many (if any) big grilling events this year.

Not so fast, say experts who all agree gatherings could be one of this summer’s biggest health hazards. TODAY Food recently spoke with a few infectious disease specialists about how to safely socialize moving forward, especially if you’re serving — or attending an event with — food.

Related

Food Does cooking food kill coronavirus? Food safety experts weigh in

How big is too big?

“There is no one-size-fits-all answer (as) to whether one can host or attend a summer barbecue or any other gathering,” said Dr. Rashid A. Chotani, an epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist at Health Central. First, it’s important to consider the size of your gathering. But how big is too big?

According to Dr. Shira Doron, an infectious disease physician at Tufts Medical Center, it depends on how big your yard is. It also depends on what your state’s governor has declared is the maximum size for gatherings in your county.

“That number could go up or down over time depending on whether case numbers are rising or falling in your area,” she explained. “Within the confines of that number, you want to make sure there is enough space for your guests to stay 6 feet apart from each other.”

Related

Health & Wellness What does 6 feet apart REALLY look like? 4 tips to keep enough distance

None of the doctors TODAY spoke with were able to provide a specific host-to-guest ratio since there are so many variables at play. But according to Dr. Sharon Nachman, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, your party is too big if you can’t easily see everyone from wherever you’re standing.

Alternatively, if you get to a party and it seems way bigger than you were anticipating, it’s OK to go home if you feel uncomfortable.

Who should I invite?

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Next, consider who you’re inviting. While making a guest list, Chotani recommended making notes about the age, health status and general comfort level of all guests, as well as your own immediate family. If you or anyone in your family is sick — or caring for or living with someone who is sick or immunocompromised — you should avoid big gatherings.

“Ask yourself if you know who is there and how careful they have been — and does it match with what you do for protecting your family,” added Nachman.

Download the TODAY app for the latest coverage on the coronavirus outbreak.

It’s also wise to pay extra attention to the weather. All of the doctors TODAY spoke with stressed the importance of having your gathering outside where ideally there is more space to social distance properly. If there’s a good chance of rain (which means guests would likely seek shelter together crowded indoors), it’s probably best to postpone or cancel the event. Conversely, if you’re attending a barbecue and it starts to rain, it’s OK to head home if you think heading inside will be too cramped.

Are certain dishes are more dangerous?

When it comes to the menu, Chotani suggested following some of the best practices restaurants are currently employing. Avoid shared dishes like chips, crudité platters and dips. Also opt for disposable dishes and utensils. The virus can, in some cases, be transmitted from an infected person to another guest if they touch the same item. According to Doron, the best way to ensure guest safety is to individually wrap meals, too. However, if you don’t have the time or resources to do that, don’t worry. “Sandwiches spaced apart sufficiently on a tray such that everyone touches only their own would work, too,” said Doron.

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Another thing to to keep in mind for any barbecue is how to guard against foodborne illnesses. While people are susceptible to these types illnesses 365 days a year, now home cooks should be especially vigilant about food safety given that it’s best avoid an unnecessary trip to the hospital. A trip to the emergency room caused by an upset stomach could end up taking a lot longer these days, plus you may be exposing yourself to patients fighting COVID-19.

“I always worry about food and ongoing exposure to heat,” said Nachman. “Dishes that allow for bacteria to grow, like those containing mayonnaise, can lead to problems.”

She cited rice as another “classic for GI illnesses” and insisted that it’s important to keep cold dishes cold and hot dishes hot.

Read more about summer food safety here.

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Is there a safe way to serve condiments and drinks?

Perhaps the trickiest food components of a summer barbecue are communal items like condiments and drinks. Doron recommended setting out condiment packets and instructing guests to only touch what they’re taking. If you can’t find packets, Nachman recommended setting up small amounts of condiments in pre-filled mini paper cups. If you don’t want to go the individual pre-portioned route, Chotani said you should appoint one person to serve food, one to serve condiments and one to serve drinks.

If you can’t have a server manning a drink station with pitchers, keep hand sanitizer nearby. Also, don’t forget that when it’s hot outside, guests shouldn’t be without water.

“We want everyone to stay hydrated and drink lots of water” said Nachman. The best case scenario, according to Doron, is to provide drinks in individual cans or bottles so guests can help themselves. As a guest, if you want to bring your own beverage that’s fine, but don’t be offended if the host says they would prefer to handle most elements of food service.

Do guests need to wear masks and gloves?

All people serving food or drinks should wear masks and gloves, but do guests have to wear them?

None of the doctors stressed wearing gloves for guests, but Doron said it would be ideal for people to wear masks after they finish eating, especially if they are within 6 feet of each other.

As a guest, it’s important to follow any rules the host has set in place to ensure the safety of the group.

Many couples that remarry choose to keep their second wedding small and simple, celebrating their marriage with only close friends and family members. Not only does this allow the bride and groom to have a more intimate wedding, but it also keeps costs down and simplifies the process of second-wedding planning. There are a variety of ways to throw a small wedding, while keeping the elegance and excitement of a large one.

Planning A Second Wedding

Announce your engagement to children and parents first, before making the news public to other relatives and friends. Children from previous marriages will likely need some time to become comfortable with the idea, and you should respect their feelings during this time. Once the children have accepted the idea, you can begin announcing your engagement to relatives and close friends. Since you are planning to keep the second wedding small, be sure to keep the guest list small as well. Although the size of your guest list will depend heavily on the size of your families, aim to invite only close relatives and friends. After the wedding, you can send out marriage announcements to anyone who did not receive an invitation.

Purchase a wedding dress that is simple and classic, rather than something extravagant. Since the wedding will be small, the bride should not be overdressed. Avoid a wedding dress with a long train; however, feel free to wear a veil during the wedding ceremony. The wedding dress should also match the environment in which the wedding will take place. For example, a wedding dress that is worn for a wedding in an elegant church may not work for a wedding held in someone’s home or backyard.

Determine the site of your wedding ceremony. If you intend to have a religious ceremony, you will need to speak with the church to determine the policies on second marriages. Other than churches, there are a variety of choices for second-wedding venues. Consider renting out a restaurant or small banquet hall for your wedding ceremony and receptions. Or, if you have a friend or relative with a large and beautiful home, consider having the wedding ceremony there. Destination weddings are also a popular choice for couples having a small second wedding.

Limit the number of people you include in your bridal party. A small wedding looks odd with a large bridal party, so it is important to keep the bridal party limited. Instead, choose only a best man and maid of honor to stand with you during the ceremony. Some couples even choose to eliminate the bridal party from their second wedding altogether, simply asking their children to stand with them during the ceremony.

Choose a small reception venue to easily fit your limited number of guests. Since the wedding will be small, it is not necessary to rent out a large banquet hall or reception area for the wedding reception. If you have already rented out a room in a restaurant or banquet facility for the ceremony, hold the reception there as well. The small guest list allows you to be creative when choosing a reception venue. You may choose to hold the reception in an art gallery, at an aquarium or at a park.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mandi Rogier

A teenager’s graduation party signifies the long-anticipated completion of high school and the beginning of a new journey into adulthood. The graduation party, or graduation open house, is a time for friends and family to get together and congratulate the new graduate. Some type of food should be served at this event, and calculating just how much to provide can be tricky. A few simple tips can help you to ensure that there is plenty of food on hand for everyone.

Step 1

Estimate how many guests you will have at your graduation party. For many graduation parties or open houses, friends and family will simply drop in for a few minutes. RSVPs may not be required. If you have not heard a definite “no” from anyone on the guest list, assume that all of your guests will show up and plan accordingly.

Step 2

Select a menu that will make appetizing leftovers for your family. In the event that your party ends up much smaller than anticipated, you can avoid too much waste by saving the leftovers for use as snacks and lunches. A typical menu for a graduation party would consist of a variety of appetizers and small snacks as well as a few choices of beverages. However, you can serve a full meal or buffet if you prefer.

Step 3

Determine the duration of your party. This will significantly impact the amount of food that you need to supply.

Step 4

Calculate approximately five appetizers per person for the first two hours of your party. For each additional hour, add another three appetizers per person. Do not plan to set all of this out at once. Prepare several trays of each item so that you can replenish the food as it is consumed and provide fresh appetizers at all times. If you are serving a full meal, plan to have about one and a half pounds of food per person.

Step 5

Consider the tastes of your guests. You do not need an equal supply of each item. If you are serving mostly teenagers, casual finger foods will probably be a bigger hit than fancier hors d’oeuvres. Provide at least one vegetarian item to accommodate all tastes, especially if you are not intimately familiar with all of your guests.

When calculating the amount of food to serve, you may be tempted to reduce the amount to accommodate guests who will only drop in for a quick hello without eating much. While this should be taken into consideration, keep in mind that hungry teenagers on the other end of the spectrum may stay around for the whole event, chatting with their friends, and will likely munch the entire time.

Fifteenth birthdays are sometimes overlooked with all the focus on a “sweet 16.” Plan a celebration for your 15-year-old that’s cool and fun for her and her friends as each birthday for a teen is another steppingstone to adulthood. Expand on something your teen is already into, or help her plan something new and exciting.

Outings

Going somewhere with all his friends, such as an arcade, amusement park, the movies, batting cages, bowling alley or skating rink, is a nice treat if your teen and his friends enjoy these places but don’t get to go often. Put together a new experience or special treat if time, budget and your teen’s personality allow. For example, rent a limousine to pick up your teen and his friends at different locations. Have the driver take them to a fancy restaurant, concert, sporting event or send them on a citywide scavenger hunt.

Sleepovers

Sleepovers work for boys or girls. Girls might enjoy an all-night chick flick marathon while they give each other manicures, pedicures and facials or have a craft party where they make T-shirts, tie-dye pillow cases or jewelry. Boys or girls might enjoy a cooking lesson and making a large dinner with a variety of desserts. Video game marathons could include music games or sports games. Set up a mock game of your teen’s favorite reality show.

Adventurous

Plan an adventure for your teen if he’s on the adventurous side. Devote an entire weekend for a hiking, rock climbing, rafting, snowboarding or camping trip for a few of his closest friends. Have a professional instructor accompany the teens for safety reasons. Active parties, such as paintball guns or laser tag, can work as well. A murder-mystery dinner can give the teens a chance to dress up, act and solve an old-fashioned “who dunnit” while they enjoy a feast.

Laid Back

Simple parties might be best for your teen if she’s quiet or laid back by nature. Consider a relaxing day by the pool, lake or beach if the weather permits. Host a luau (even indoors) for an instant party with a calming vibe. Play island music and decorate with palm trees (blowup, silk or paper). Give each guest a silk lei as they enter. Play your teen’s favorite movies on a large projector in your backyard or in the park with blankets spread out under the stars and a picnic-style dinner with lots of movie snacks.

Themes

Themed parties can be easy to plan and fun to execute as each element of the party relates to the next. Plan a huge carnival party in your backyard or at the park with game booths, such as a dunking tank, and concession stands with your teen’s favorite carnival food. Your 15-year-old and his friends might enjoy the fun and childish ambience of a carnival with a mature twist. A coed themed dance party, such as a glow-in-the-dark black light or black-and-white party, can give the teens an opportunity to interact in a mature setting. Put together a Las Vegas-style casino theme with a casual undertone or a fancy, back-room high roller casino party if your teen wants to dress up. Ask a few friends to help with the party by standing in as a bouncer, dealers and cocktail waitresses. Serve little mocktails (nonalcoholic cocktails) with umbrellas to make the teens feel more grown-up.

Throwing an epic engagement party doesn’t have to empty your bank account — in fact, it shouldn’t. Here are some helpful engagement party ideas if you’re on a budget.

Have you recently #justsaidyes? Congrats! It’s time to celebrate with one of our favorite pre-wedding events, the engagement party! And since planning an actual wedding can be pretty costly, you’re probably looking for some great engagement party ideas on a budget. Traditionally held by the the bride’s parents, the engagement party is a chance to pop some bubbly with close family and friends to kick start your wedding planning process. Thrown within a few months of the proposal, this event is where many family members get to meet for the very first time. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you cover all the essentials for a fun-filled engagement party that’s also affordable.

Here are five easy engagement party ideas if you’re on a budget.

Cut the guest list.

Remember that this party isn’t your wedding, and you don’t need to invite everyone who will be on your wedding guest list. Keep the party more intimate by inviting close friends and relatives and save the big party for your wedding day. Having a small engagement party will give you some additional wiggle room in your budget, allowing you to spend more on food and decor, while maintaining a laid-back and fun vibe. However, make sure that anyone you do invite to this celebration is also going to be invited to your wedding.

Decorate with candles.

One of our favorite engagement party ideas for those on a budget is using candles for a romantic, yet cost-effective, ambiance. Instead of opting for elaborate table decor, dress your tabletops with candle votives and dim the overhead lighting just a tad. Then check out your nearest florist or grocery store and pick up a few simple flowers for the event. You can easily decorate with fresh blooms placed in compotes or vases to add some pops of color to your party. The candle lighting also pairs well with any lush arrangement.

Include light entertainment.

You don’t have to go all out when it comes to choosing the entertainment – that’s what the wedding is for! Instead opt for a light music by playing a queued playlist that will keep the mood upbeat during your party. Games aren’t required for an engagement party, but if you are worried about the party becoming dull we suggest setting a time to make a few toasts and introductions. That way you can easily say thanks to your guests for joining your celebration and also introduce important family and friends to one another.

Serve a simple menu.

If you’re looking for engagement party ideas on a budget, don’t feel the need to have a heavy multi-course meal. A sit-down dinner can easily add up, leaving your hands tied when it comes to expenses. Instead opt for light appetizers and bite-sized food. You can easily have a few tables filled with hors d’oeuvres and also either pass out champagne or create a simple mixed drink. Or you can even opt for a dessert spread instead (one of our favorite cheap engagement party ideas)! Instead of a dinner party, host the event after dining hours. Then plan a menu filled with tasty confections, like cake pops or flavored pies. This type of serving style lets guests eat and drink as they please and won’t feel pressured to have a formal sit down dinner. This also lets you stick to that easy casual party vibe.

Skip the favors.

Guests usually won’t bring a gift to an engagement party (though, if you’ve already created your wedding registry, your loved ones might send an engagement gift before or afterwards), therefore you shouldn’t feel the need to go all out on favors. However, if you really feel the need to pass out some kind of favor to thank guests for attending your party, opt for something inexpensive. Some of our favorites include edible favors or some kind of handmade gift, such as handwritten letter or personalized item.

If you have ever tried to throw a party in a small apartment, then you know just how difficult it can be. And yet, there’s something incredibly charming about tiny parties in tiny apartments. So don’t let a lack of space stop you from throwing a great get together.

In fact, some of the best parties I’ve ever been to have been in crammed, close quarters. Think about it — you’re pretty much guaranteed to get wrapped up in a great convo, and the whole vibe is usually relaxed and fun. People show up with a sense of humor, because they know they’re about to sit on the floor, or lean against the wall. And usually, only the best of friends are invited to such shindigs, so you know you’re in for a good night.

Small apartment parties are usually informal for this very reason, but you can up the ante a bit. It’s possible to throw a dinner party, for example, if you’re willing to get creative with how you use the space. It’ll just requires a bit of forethought, and some creative rearranging of your one couch and one chair.

If you’re ready to make the most of your tiny space, then here are some ways to comfortably squeeze all your friends into your apartment for a party that’ll be worth remembering.

1. Don’t Be Afraid To Move Stuff Around

Some apartments are small, and there’s nothing you can do to free up space. Other apartments, however, have the tiniest bit of extra room that can allow for some rearranging. If possible, try moving some of the extra tables and chairs out of the way, to make room for mingling. “A quick fix is to push furniture against the wall so you have more open space for milling about, while you preserve seating along the wall. If you have a guest bedroom or large closet, you can stash stuff there, too,” according to an article on ApartmentGuide.com.

2. Serve Welcome Cocktails

People are going to be rubbing elbows — literally — so have a few cocktails ready to go as soon as guests arrive. It’ll help lubricate the getting-to-know you process, and make everyone feel more comfortable in such a tight space, according to Maggie Winterfeldt on PopSugar.com.

3. Have Guests Label Their Drinks

Guests’ drinks are going to get all sorts of mixed up if there’s only one table (or window sill) to put things on. So start a drink labeling system, such as with name tags, or identifiable straws, so everyone knows what’s what. “This also ensures everyone uses just one glass throughout the entire party,” noted Katie Meyers on HGTV.com. That’s good for cleanup, but even better if you have a limited glassware supply.

4. Make Sure It’s Not Sweltering

If you’ve ever been to a tiny house party, then you know how hot it can get with a bunch of people crammed into one space. So plan ahead to keep things comfy. “The best way to cool things down is to turn on the AC and turn off the oven about one hour before your party is supposed to start,” suggested Ariel Knutson on TheKitchn.com. “I also crack a window open and leave a fan on in the room I’m not entertaining in, so people can find some respite if things get too hot.”

5. Spread Snacks Around The Room

Whatever you do, don’t have one snack spot, as it will create all sorts of traffic jams. Instead, place food around the apartment — a few apps on the coffee table, some more in the kitchen — to encourage people to mill about, Meyers suggested. This will prevent everyone from congregating in one area, and it will keep your party moving.

6. Designate A Place For Coats And Bags

Huge coats and bags have no place in a tiny apartment, so stuff them away out of sight as best you can. You can also tell people to hang on to smaller items. As Knutson said, “While I’m normally a shoes-off kind of apartment, I always insist guests keep their shoes on when we have a large party (to minimize clutter).”

7. Have Food Ready To Go

In tiny apartments — especially in studios — the kitchen is right in the middle of things. That’s why you should finish cooking before guests arrive, to ensure that space is ready for use. “You’ll be more relaxed and you’ll free up the kitchen, creating valuable square footage,” Winterfeldt said.

8. Use Pillows As Chairs

Don’t stress too much about seating, since I doubt you have more than one chair, if any at all. Simply throw some pillows on the ground, and let your friends get comfy.

9. Get Creative With Tables

If you’re throwing a dinner party, you might have to get creative when it comes making a table that’s larger enough for everyone. As Winterfeldt said, “Everything from kitchen carts to desks to discarded doors are fair game. Push everything together to form a big table — and don’t stress if they don’t perfectly align. Alternatively, you can DIY yourself a table for the night with some collapsable [sic] saw horses and a sheet of sturdy plywood.” As a bonus, both options can be quickly disassembled after dinner, to make room for dancing, or hanging out.

10. Go Big In Other Ways

Going for a fancy vibe isn’t the easiest, especially when you only have pillows and saw horses to work with. So make up for it in different ways by going a bit overboard with the decor. Use real plates, make pretty drinks, and consider handing out party favors, as suggested on ApartmentGuide.com. It’ll make your party super memorable, while also distracting your guests in the best way possible.

11. Enjoy Yourself No Matter What

Don’t spend the evening apologizing for the lack of space, or feeling bad about people sitting on the floor. These are your friends and family we’re talking about, so they should have fun and enjoy the evening, regardless of the tight quarters.

In fact, small apartment parties are incredibly memorable, if for that reason alone. So make sure you have at least one while living in your tiny space, and be sure to make the most of it.

Few experiences capture the essence of summer as strongly as a day at the beach. When the hot, humid weather hits, the beach is the only place I want to be, lounging in the sand, cooling off at the shoreline, and relaxing under the sun. And given the perfection of a summer day at the beach, the only way it can be made better is by hosting a party and inviting your favorite beach bum friends to enjoy the salty, sea air with you. Keep your party casual, transportable, and by all means as relaxed as a day at the beach should be.

Preparing for Your Beach Party

Write your invitations on a deflated beach ball. Ask your friends to inflate the ball and bring it with them to the party, along with their chair, beach blanket, and towel.

Before your party, check with local officials to determine the rules regarding alcoholic beverages, bottles and whether you will be responsible for taking your trash with you when you leave, or whether there are receptacles on the beach for your trash.

If required, obtain a permit for your party or bonfire (if you plan to make one).

Research the cooking facilities that are already available on the beach, and what kind of grill, if any, you can bring with you for preparing food.

Be sure to have enough large coolers and ice to transport your food and beverages to the party and keep them at a safe temperature until they’re consumed.

Favors and Activities

Give everyone your party favor at the beginning of your party. Make it a beach pail with a shovel, sunscreen, water squirt bottle, and sun visor. If your budget allows, toss in an after-sun product too. Other things to consider include:

Personalization Is the Key to Throwing a Memorable Birthday Party

Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Chances are, if you are like most adults, you don’t remember the first party you attended as a child. And it is even more likely that the first party was a birthday party. In fact, it may even have been your own birthday celebration.

Around the world, birthdays are celebrated as we mark the end of a year and the start of a new one. Relatives and friends gather to share food and drink, bringing gifts and enjoying a special birthday cake. Because these life events occur only once a year, there is a certain amount of pressure on the host to deliver a memorable event.

But memorable does not have to be “perfect.” Instead of stressing over every last detail as you strive for perfection, focus on planning a birthday party that is personal for the guest of honor. Those unique touches will make the birthday party one to remember for years to come.

Making a Birthday Party Special

Birthdays are personal, and birthday parties should be as well. If you don’t know your guest of honor, gather some information about them. What are their hobbies and interests? How do they spend their free time? Learning whether they enjoy playing golf, cooking, or traveling will present numerous opportunities for you to personalize their party with creative details.

For example, use a favorite hobby as a theme for the birthday cake and decorations. For the golfer, set up a putting green in a corner of the backyard or venue for guests to try their hand. Use green tablecloths with golf ball candle holders. If your guest of honor is a traveler, send out traditional tourist postcards in lieu of customized printed invitations and offer a varied international menu from some of the places they have visited.

For a children’s party, finding hobbies can be challenging depending on the age. So, if the child is too young to be playing soccer or performing in dance recitals, pick an area of general interest and make that your theme. For example, if the birthday child is fond of pirates and adventure, hold a scavenger hunt. For younger children, keep it simple and have them work in teams of three and keep the list of items short.

Older children will enjoy the challenge of finding numerous items on their own, relishing the competition for a prize. Children remember what they did at a party and whether they had fun playing games. Less important is whether the balloons matched the napkins and the overall color scheme.

Piñatas or Cocktails?

All successful birthday parties—and all successful parties in general—require advanced planning. When planning a birthday party, there are a few different elements to consider so let’s break it down into two types of birthday parties: children and adults.

Children’s Birthday Parties

When children reach a certain age, they become well aware of when their birthday is, even though their concept of actual time may not be that accurate. It doesn’t take long before they associate a birthday with a party, cake, candles, decorations, and presents! Fun and games for all can often leave the host frazzled and exhausted. To minimize the stress level when planning a children’s birthday party, follow these tips:

• Limit the number of children: The rule of thumb is to match the number of guests with the age of the birthday child. For example, invite four children for a four-year-old’s birthday party. While that may not be reasonable in the circumstances of a large family, in general, it is better to invite fewer children to a children’s birthday party. It doesn’t take long for a well-planned party to spiral out of control when too many children, excited for the party and fueled on a sugary cake, take over. Games become hard to control and the birthday child is often overwhelmed. If you do need to invite a large number of children for whatever reason, then have additional help. Having extra bodies, whether that is paid staff or a few friends and relatives, in charge of keeping the children entertained can be a lifesaver.
• Keep it short: While an hour and a half may seem like a short period of time to celebrate a three-year-old’s birthday, that 90 minutes can seem like 900 minutes when cranky children in need of the afternoon nap begin their meltdowns. So keep the official party time to an hour and a half; many parents, when picking up their children, stay and socialize at the end of the party so the party will go for two hours anyway.
• Time it Right: Cocktail parties can start at 5:00 in the afternoon. Not children’s birthday parties. If the guests are still of napping age, time the party in between the morning and afternoon naps. Starting sometime before noon and ending by 1:30 p.m. works well; guests will arrive rested and ready for a kid-friendly lunch. School-aged children can certainly stay up late, but that is not the best time for a party. Plan your celebration to end by 5:00. After a few hours of play, they are tired and hungry for dinner, the perfect time to send them home again.

Adult Birthday Parties

Many adults are really children at heart, and they look forward to and enjoy a celebration in their honor. It is a chance to enjoy the company of friends and family, receive gifts, and be the center of attention for a little while. That being said, some adults prefer small, intimate gatherings to celebrate; others can’t wait to shout from the rooftops and party at a large-scale daylong event. So the first step in planning an adult birthday party is to get to know your guests and tailor the party to their personalities and interests.

Milestone Adult Birthday Celebrations

Big birthday milestones don’t necessarily need to be celebrated in a big way. For those who have a large family, an extensive social or business network, or those who enjoy mingling amongst a crowd of well-wishers, bigger may be better. For others who may have a close inner circle of friends, or perhaps a small, close-knit family, more intimate gatherings may be preferable.

The key point here is to weigh in with your host regarding their thoughts on their celebration. If the event is a surprise, then talk to the guest of honor’s spouse or partner or closest friends to determine which approach is best. Surprise parties can be fun, but the surprise element should be a positive experience stemming from the timing of the celebration, not missing the mark on the party itself.

Personalization is key to making a birthday party memorable. Research back to the year they were born and incorporate newsworthy details from that time period into the party theme. Depending upon the year, invite guests to dress as they would have if it were that year. 1960s hippie clothes and 1980s big hair can make a party fun and provide great opportunities for photos, laughter, and reminiscing.

• Video chatting platforms like Zoom can be great tools for connecting face-to-face with friends, family, and loved ones.
• After installing Zoom and participating in a few one-on-one calls, as well as calls with small groups of my friends, I decided I wanted to throw a Zoom party over the weekend.
• My Zoom party was a success, and I brought 8 of my friends together for a fun night, after which everyone left feeling less lonely – here’s what I learned and how you can throw your own perfect Zoom party.
• Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

If you’ve been learning or working remotely, you’re probably already familiar with Zoom. It’s similar to Skype, Houseparty, and Google Hangouts, but has exploded in popularity and quickly become the dominant platform for everything from virtual preschool to business meetings.

Once I started seeing Zoom memes, I knew I had to try out the platform. But I don’t use Zoom for work, so instead, I asked my friends to download it and began calling them casually to hang out and chat after work and over the weekend. After a group Zoom session with a few of my pals, I had the idea to throw a Zoom party.

In the process of planning, executing, and hosting my Zoom party, I picked up a few tips and tricks to share. I was worried that it might be awkward or function differently than a normal in-person party – and it was definitely different – but my party ended up being fun for everyone, and it made our Saturday night less lonely.

Here’s what I learned, and how you can throw your perfect Zoom party, too.

Maskot / Getty Images

Cocktail parties have been a popular social gathering for years. They were a hit during the first few decades of the 1900s, were fueled by Prohibition, and died off a little during the last part of the century, but they’re back.

Cocktail parties are great for entertaining friends or business associates, or a combination of the two. They’re also great for open houses or receptions, both business and personal.

The average cocktail party lasts 2 to 3 hours during which guests snack on a simple spread of food and imbibe on great cocktails while chatting with other guests. It’s actually quite an easy event to plan and there are so many options available.

Party Decisions

A cocktail party can be as simple or complex as you wish to make it. There are a few questions you should ask yourself to begin planning a party:

• How many guests will be attending?
• Is this a casual event for friends or a formal business networking event?
• How much time and effort do I want to put into it?
• Will there be a full bar or a limited cocktail menu?
• Will the party be indoor or outdoor? If outdoor, do I have a plan for inclement weather?
• What type of food will be served?
• Is there a theme for the party?
• Should guests be asked to bring anything?
• How much money do I want to spend?

Planning the Food

A full course meal is not necessary for a cocktail party. Simple foods, such as hors d’oeuvres and other finger foods, allow guests to graze throughout the event as they feel the need.

Some tried-and-true cocktail party foods such as bruschetta and tapenade and crackers are perfect for almost any taste. Even something as simple as cheese, crackers and cut fruit platter is perfect for the casual party.

To be a good host you should have some kind of food available and if you don’t want to deal with food at all, call a caterer.

Planning the Drinks

Obviously, the drinks are the most important part of a cocktail party and there are two options.

1. Full Bar: If you opt for this you give guests the option to choose their favorite drink. This is great if you have a well-stocked bar or if you’re willing to buy the essential spirits and are able to mix up a variety of drinks (or have a good bartending guide).
2. Drink Menu: This encourages people to step out of their drinking routine. You’ll also save money because you don’t need a fully stocked bar. Make up a list of the drinks (including ingredients) and set it on the bar for guests to peruse.

Get Some Help

Only the ultimate host or hostess can do everything on their own and still be available to socialize with guests. The rest of us need some help.

Ask friends or family if they’d be willing to handle the food or bartend for the event and if that doesn’t work hire out the work. Many catering companies also provide bartending services so this is logical if you’re already calling the caterer or you could ask an aspiring or young bartender if they’d like the experience.

It’s always nice to offer your bartender (pro or amateur) a tip jar for guests to contribute to.

Helpful Hints for a Great Party

• Make sure you have all of the essential bar tools.
• Send invitations early, but not too early, 2 to 3 weeks should be sufficient unless it’s a busy time of year like November and December.
• Have plenty of cocktail napkins, plates, and glasses available.
• Plan on 50-75% of invited guests to attend to estimate the number of drinks you’ll be pouring and how many bottles you’ll need.
• Estimate 2 to 3 drinks per person.
• Add a “WOW” factor. This could be a drink, garnish, food dish, activity, display or whatever fits your party.

More Party Planning Ideas & Advice

Every good host or hostess is responsible for those drinking at their party. Be aware of guests who have had too much to drink, cut them off when necessary and arrange for designated drivers. Also, have a few non-alcoholic drinks, or mocktails, available for non-drinking guests.

Nothing fills a person with dread like receiving a Facebook invite to a birthday gathering. Or worse, sending those invites, yourself. Your best friends haven’t replied because they know they don’t need to. They know they’re coming. You know they’re coming. But they’re one less “Attending” that counts, at least to those “Maybes” or “Awaiting Reply.” And you probably don’t want most of those people to come anyway. What gives?

Researchers at Chapman University surveyed more than 25,000 people to gauge the number of friends that people of different ages, genders, and sexual orientations feel close enough to turn to for emotional support. Turns out, people tend to expect between five and 10 people to celebrate their birthday, though numbers vary depending on age.

For 20-somethings, somewhere between eight and 10 people is the norm, while those in the 30 and up category would celebrate with somewhere between five and seven friends.

It’s important to note that people can only have so many friends, as evolutionary anthropologist Robin Dunbar found in the late ’80s. Beyond “the Dunbar number,” as it came to be called, people simply don’t have the brainpower to maintain a meaningful connection without letting go of somebody else.

“Facebook tries to force you to befriend people, because they’re the friend of a friend of a friend, and people generously do up to a point, or at least until they get fed up,” Dunbar told Esquire UK. “But all they’re doing is what we’re doing in everyday life—they’re tipping people over into a circle of acquaintances.”

And who wants to host a party with them? If given the choice between a small dinner with a few close friends or 200 people you hardly know, chances are you’ll go for the former. We know we would—it’d be much more meaningful.

Not having to skimp on the details means your wedding may actually turn out like that secret Pinterest board you’ve been obsessing over.

When my husband and I first got engaged, we initially toyed with the idea of having more typical nuptials, complete with the expansive venue, the big bridal party, and 100-plus guests. As we dug a little deeper though, we realized that maybe a large, traditional wedding wasn’t for us. We ended up finding a perfect little hotel in upstate New York and invited just 14 of our closest family and friends, and haven’t regretted it once.

Apart from the obvious benefit of saving a ton of cash on a one night affair, here are some other reasons to consider tying the knot the tiny way.

1. It’s way easier to plan. Some people genuinely love planning their wedding but I am not one of those people. Executing such a large event is basically a full-time job, which can be hard when you already have a full-time job. A tiny wedding means tinier problems, which means tinier heart palpitations when something goes wrong. Having to think about moving 14 people inside if it rains? Not a big deal. Two hundred people? That’s a different story.

A post shared by Hannah Fé Z ❤️ (@hannahfez) on Oct 31, 2016 at 6:12pm PDT

2. You can focus more on the details. From hand-painted portraits of your guests as place cards, to personalized welcome notes, to epic gift bags filled with a curated selection of your most favorite locally made goods, it can be easier to bring your vision to life when it’s on a smaller scale. Not having to skimp on the details due to budget or time constraints means your wedding may actually turn out like that secret Pinterest board you’ve been obsessing over since before you got engaged. (I see you, everyone does it.)

3. Your guests can actually get to know each other. As is the case for many couples, my husband’s and my immediate families live on opposite coasts in different countries (Vancouver and Maine) and never had the opportunity to hang out pre-wedding. By removing the obligation to socialize with hundreds of guests during our wedding weekend, it freed up time for our families to really get to know each other. They had breakfast together every morning, went apple picking, and truly bonded — our moms text and email all the time now! This was probably the most special part of having a tiny wedding for us.

4. TBH, it’s a great excuse to use for people who didn’t get invited. It’s hard not to feel pressure when it comes to the guest list, especially since every list has a cutoff number. While there always will be someone who is bound to be upset they didn’t get an invite, when you only invite your closest circle — “No, really, it’s a tiny wedding!” — it feels a lot less personal for those who didn’t make the cut.

5. You can be totally vulnerable. If you’re somebody who doesn’t mind being the center of attention or can easily hold back buckets of water from behind your eyes, then go for a big wedding. I, on the other hand, immediately started crying big black tears (note: this is with waterproof mascara). Our best man’s wife, who was also my makeup artist, ran up multiple times to wipe the streaks from my face with her sleeves. In a crowd of 100-plus people, I would have felt like I was supposed to maintain my composure, and would have felt embarrassed and uncomfortable. But in a small group, it was endearing and felt very much like a safe space.

6. You’re less likely to get Wedding Day Amnesia. So many brides say that their wedding day was a blur. With a large wedding, from coordinating with your planner to making sure you greet every guest, it’s super hard to step back and take it all in. A tiny wedding means you can talk to everyone and still escape with your partner every now and then to experience it as just the two of you … and even squeeze in a quick makeout session or two.

7. You can celebrate in other ways (and keep the party going). Just because you don’t have a big wedding doesn’t mean you still can’t celebrate with your extended friends and family. In our case, we threw a casual party at a bar for our New York friends the night after our ceremony that was super cheap and only took a few emails to plan. Each of our parents also generously decided to host smaller, simple gatherings in Vancouver and Maine. We basically did a two-month wedding tour and got to see everyone we loved in some capacity. Not having everything over and done with in one night also means you’re less likely to get those post-wedding blues. You can have your (wedding) cake and eat it too.

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It could be her best birthday ever.

Having your birthday fall during the Coronavirus pandemic is kind of like every trip you ever took before Instagram — does it even count? When planning your own festivities, it’s easy to throw in the towel and take the “woe is me” route. That’s why it’s more meaningful than ever when a friend or family member takes it upon themselves to plan something special and unexpected for the birthday boy or girl.

But in the age of social distancing, what does a “birthday party” realistically look like?

Nothing like a pandemic to get humans to come up with creative ways to gather, and make their loves ones feel extra special. From the “birthday parade” to the “hug glove,” viral photos and videos have left our hearts warmed time and time again during the outbreak, giving us plenty of ideas for how to make our own friends feel the love on their big day. Keep reading for 8 ideas that’ll ensure this year’s birthday doesn’t go to waste.

Surprise Zoom Call

Are we over the Zoom calls yet? I thought I might be, but every time I get on one, I’m glad I did it. Make your birthday boy or girl feel extra special by surprising them with all their favorite faces dialed in on the night of their birthday, and you can make the call extra special by giving it a theme. I’ve heard of a surprise Zoom toga party where the birthday girl unexpectedly had a toga dropped off on her front porch just before the call! Don’t forget the cake and candles.

Drive By Birthday Party

In April we surprised a close friend with a drive by parade, and she was seriously SO HAPPY. She was all but ready to assume this year’s birthday was going to be a wash, when she went into her front yard to see all her nearest and dearest driving by with signs, balloons, costumes, and music blaring. Happy birthday!

Make a Hug Glove

This might be one of the more creative things I’ve seen during quarantine — a hug glove! This DIY was created with little more than a plastic tarp and some heavy duty tape, and functions as a barrier between the two huggers. Set one of these up in the front yard of the birthday boy or girl so they can enjoy squeezes from their loved ones!

Book a Food Truck or Cocktail Truck

What’s a birthday party without friends, food, and drinks? One way to have them all is by renting a food truck or mobile bar to park in front of your home. Guests can get their fixes, and enjoy them while social distancing.

Social Distance Picnic Party

We also love the idea of a social distance picnic. Guests pack up their picnics and meet at a park to spread out their blankets and celebrate the guest of honor from a safe distance.

Go Camping

For the outdoorsy crew, plan for a weekend getaway in the wilderness. Friends can sleep in the safety of their respective tents, cook food in foil pouches over a fire, and take a hike or a dip all while social distancing.

Flower Bomb Them

When in doubt, flowers always bring a smile to our faces. A few years ago we came up with the idea of “flower bombing” your friend on her birthday, and during quarantine, it holds up more than ever as an amazing surprise. Drop off as many flowers as you can afford at her front door so that when she opens it, she’s shocked by the bight and colorful blooms.

3 comments

OOO love these! My mom’s birthday is this Thursday so thank you for the inspo. I especially love the flower bomb idea!

These are so fun – totally storing away the flower bomb idea for the future!

Not one of these involve a group text.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that doing things with friends is fun, but making plans to do those things is the actual worst.

Yes, modern technology *technically* makes it easier to organize a dinner or a game night or whatever floats your boat, but it also introduces a host of other setbacks and annoyances and issues and uuuuggggh.

Even though I don’t

planning activities with one or a few friends like a social secretary, I’ve come up with enough of a method for it that it doesn’t bother me anymore.

When I want to ensure that I actually get to see the people I want see and do the things I want to do, I follow these simple guidelines.*

*Put together, all of these prescriptions may seem like an overdose and the antithesis of fun. I would argue that being stuck in a permanent holding pattern of “Let’s hang out soon!” “Yeah, would love that!” is the anthesis of fun, but YMMV.

Anyway, you do not have to follow these rules to the letter, nor do you have to follow them at all. Do what makes sense for your lifestyle and relationships, so long as your end goal is to not be shitty.

1. Take the reins and be the one to reach out and suggest a plan.

Listen, I get it: This is a very big and scary step if this isn’t something you already do. I used to wait for other people to reach out to me, and would inevitably feel sad and alone when I had nothing to do on a Friday night, especially when I’d just graduated from college and was living in New York City with a long list of things I wanted to do. After too many weeks of this, I decided to act on my mom’s long-standing advice that the phone works both ways, and I started just texting people when I wanted to try out a cool new cocktail bar or something. It’s so basic that in retrospect, it sounds ridiculous that it was a lightbulb moment, but I discovered pretty quickly that my mom was right. (Thanks, mom.)

I’ve dealt with anxiety for most of my life, and for a long time, I let the triplet demons of “What if they say no?”; “What if they say yes but don’t really want to hang out with me?”; and “What if the thing we do sucks and it’ll be my fault because I suggested it?” win. To be perfectly honest, I’ve established more of a truce with the demons than an actual victory, but I’ve learned that when you stare a demon in the eye and act like it doesn’t exist, it whimpers and puts its tail between its legs. Because guess what? Most people are legitimately psyched to have a cool activity presented to them — you’re literally doing them a favor! —and the more times you experience a positive reaction, the easier it gets to do it again. If you do it enough, it’ll become a habit, and before you know it, you’ll have things to do whenever you want.

2. Try to get the ball rolling at least a week in advance, no matter what kind of plans you’re making.

Making Friday plans on a Thursday afternoon may work 4 times out of 10, but so does going outside without an umbrella in April. It’s risky AF. Planning a week or more in advance is not!

Depending on what kind of

you want to have (drinks vs. dinner vs. beach day vs. LARPing in the park), how many friends you want to see, and what kind of schedule you’re on, you may want to adjust this lead time so that your plan actually, you know, happens. Generally, though, think about it this way: You’re only as available as your busiest friend, so plan with enough lead time to make room for alternate dates and times.

3. Better yet, actually suggest a date when you reach out.

PSA: “Hey! Let’s catch up sometime, it’s been forever!” means you likely will not see that person in this decade, but “Hey! It’s been forever! Let’s get coffee and catch up next Wednesday or Thursday if you’re free” pretty much swings the door wide open for a good IRL hangout.

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The more often a person eats with others the more likely they are to be happy and satisfied with their lives and to feel close to the people they eat with. Adobe Stock

President Donald Trump has extended social distancing guidelines through April 30, and many states, cities and counties are instituting stay-at-home orders.

If you want to see your loved ones but still help to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you’ve had to become a bit creative.

These days, socializing is almost exclusively virtual. People are meeting up with friends, family and coworkers via video games, Zoom and other apps and technology.

But people aren’t just using technology to chat. Some are hosting events and even dinner parties.

While hosting a virtual dinner party can help to retain a bit of normalcy during this time, its purpose can be much deeper. The University of Oxford has found that the more often people eat with others, the more likely they are to be happy and satisfied with their lives. People will also feel closer to those they eat with.

One couple in the U.K. shared a video of a fancy dinner party they hosted for their children — and more than 2 million people have watched it.

But if you live alone, you don’t have to be this guy.

Here are some creative ways to host your own CDC-approved dinner party.

1. If you live close enough to friends and family, you could follow these neighbors’ examples: Go outside and chat — just stay 6 feet apart, don’t share any items or food and simply enjoy the time together.

My niece and her neighbours are socially distancing in Comox. Now THAT’S how you do it folks!

2. If you live far apart from loved ones, you can use FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Facebook Messenger — any video conferencing technology, really. Just get familiar with it first, the Guardian advises.

And if you want a little something extra to feel like you’re eating together, have everyone make the same dish or order takeout from the same place. After dinner, you can even play a game together.

3. If you’re tired of video-chatting or just looking for a more creative way to host a dinner party, some people are hosting dinner parties through video games like “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”

Whatever method you prefer, don’t let yourself be lonely. While the CDC continues to recommend people stay far apart physically, we can still find ways to come together socially.

Planning parties for young children is easy, right? Give them a cake and a few presents, and they’re thrilled. Birthdays get more complicated when kids get older and enter the “tween years” between the ages of 8 through 12. You might find that your tweens have a hard time settling on a theme and agenda. Consider these party ideas if you’re stuck.

Makeover Spa Day

Create a spa atmosphere at your home. As guests arrive, take “before” photos, then have everyone don pajamas or bathrobes and take turns at stations you’ve set up for manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, and makeup. Have the kids primp each other or hire a few teenagers to do the work. Keep a small stack of style and celebrity magazines on hand at each station, as well as pitchers of cucumber-infused water and trays of cut fruit.

Once everyone has been pampered, take “after” pictures. While everyone is eating, opening presents, and singing “Happy Birthday,” print the pictures from your computer, frame them, then give the framed photos to each child as the favor at the end of the party. Instead of, or in addition to, you could give small gift bags with nail polish, a nail file, and lip gloss inside.

Go Green

If the birthday boy or girl is a budding environmentalist, build the theme around going green. Activities could include playing old-fashioned games such as kick the can, or making a craft such as wind chimes out of items from nature, old silverware, and trinkets found at secondhand shops. You might also consider taking the kids on a service outing, such as picking up litter from a natural area or planting trees.

The food should be natural and healthy, such as cut fruits and vegetables, smoothies, and homemade family favorites. Even the cake can have an eco theme. For favors, send each child home with something for the yard or a pot and a packet of seeds.

Adventure Game Show

Consider throwing a gross birthday party. Just make sure you warn parents on the invitations that the kids should wear clothing that can get dirty. Set up several stations, such as places where kids are blindfolded and told to stick their hands into bowls of worms (cold, oily, cooked spaghetti) and eyeballs (peeled grapes). The kids earn points for correctly identifying what they’re touching. Another station could be for tasting concoctions such as “People Puppy Chow” served in dog bowls and baked eyeballs. Set up several contests, such as filling a tub of water with rubber rats and seeing which child can remove the most rats using only their teeth in 30 seconds.

Favors should be barf bags filled with practical jokes such as gummy worms, gumball eyes, and whoopee cushions. You could also make T-shirts for each child that say “I survived [insert name here]’s totally gross birthday party!” Keep in mind; some kids might truly be grossed out by the activities. Never pressure a child to participate in a challenge that makes him or her uncomfortable.

Mall and a Movie

You could throw your child’s entire party at a mall. Give the kids 30 minutes to shop, then reconvene in the food court for snacks and cake. After opening gifts, present everyone with the party favors: tickets to see a movie. The party ends in the theater, and you go home to a clean house.

Get Crafty

Throw a make-and-take party, set up three or so stations with craft activities for tweens. Choose crafts that don’t take long, are clever, and appeal to this age group such as:

• Picture frames
• Body glitter or henna art
• DIY purses

To drive home the handmade theme, make party decorations with your child ahead of time, including bowls for serving pretzels or other dry foods and cupcake toppers made using rubber stamps, paper, and toothpicks.​​

Party for a Cause

By this age, children are well aware that the world isn’t a perfect place. If there’s a particular cause that’s close to your child’s heart, he or she might want the party to serve as a benefit for it. The invitations, decorations, favors, and cakes can tie to the charity themes as well.

Animal lovers, for instance, could throw a cat- or dog-themed party and ask guests to bring kitty litter or dog food instead of presents. These items would then be donated to a local animal shelter. Likewise, a winter-themed party could be an opportunity to collect coats, hats, and mittens for children in need. During the summer, throw a pool- or beach-themed party and ask guests to donate new swimsuits that will later be distributed to children through your local parks and recreation program. Is your child a bookworm? Ask his or her friends to bring new or gently used books for a community reading program.

An Outing

At this age, kids might be less interested in traditional birthday parties and more keen on inviting two or three close friends to do something special with them. Give a young athlete tickets to see a baseball game or other sporting event, then end the day with dinner at a sports-themed restaurant. A budding actor might enjoy seeing a play or musical, while a music fan would be thrilled to attend a rock concert. Go camping, take a cooking class, art class, visit a beach, or go snow skiing—the possibilities are endless.

Between the ages of 8 and 12, your child will be undergoing enormous changes. Some days he or she will feel like kids, other days he or she will seem on the verge of adulthood. They might long to have a traditional party with balloons and ice cream, but feel peer pressure to do something more “grown-up.” Be sensitive to those changes as you plan their birthday parties with them year to year.

Apryl Duncan is a stay-at-home mom and internationally-published writer with years of experience providing advice to others like her.

A recent survey found that families can spend upwards of $30,000 on their kids’ birthday party celebrations between the first and 21st birthdays. Throwing a birthday party can be a major source of stress and a major drain on the bank account for parents. You can still make your child’s birthday a memorable celebration without throwing a party. Suggest some of these ideas to your child (or brainstorm your own non-party activities) for a fun and memorable birthday.

Go Camping

Pack up the family and go camping. Pitch a tent and rough it, even in your own backyard. Another option is to rent an RV for the weekend and head to the local campground. The time your family spends without the tablets and phones is the quality time you can’t put a price on. You’ll spend your weekend playing board games, roasting marshmallows by the campfire, and enjoying the great outdoors together.

Take a Day Trip

Get in the car and head to a neighboring city for the day. Go to the children’s museum or hit the bouncy house park. Changing up your scenery for the day and making a trip out of it will make your child feel special because this family-friendly day trip is all about him or her. Let them navigate the route or pick between two neighboring cities for a feeling of ownership.

Sleepover

Keep the celebration simple but memorable with a sleepover. Instead of a cake and full-on party with decorations, you can hit the grocery store for some snacks everyone can munch on as they play games, tell stories, and watch a movie. For younger kids, try a “sleep under.” The kids stay for snacks and a movie, but all go home to sleep.

Fly Somewhere for the Weekend

You can fly the friendly skies for less than the cost of a birthday party these days. Bare-bones flights can be as low as $20 per person one way. It’s a great way to make your child’s birthday a huge event without spending an equally huge amount of money. If your family budget can’t handle everyone taking off to some other city, let your child pick a parent to go with them this year. Celebrate onboard the flight too with fun activities to keep you entertained until you reach your destination.

Take in a Movie

Keep an eye out for kid-friendly movies coming out at the theater or being released on DVD. That way, you can take in a movie for the birthday. If you’re planning a movie night at home, make it even more special. With a little extra prep like popcorn and movie snacks, your home movie night can become an event.

Spend the Night in a Hotel

Grab some clothes and head to a hotel for the night. Make the celebration one they’ll always remember while keeping it on budget. Try the name your own price options that let you decide what you want to pay for the room. The downside is, you don’t get to choose the hotel where you want to stay. But you can select the quality, location, and price, which could work out perfectly for one night away.

Invite a Friend Along

An informal get-together is perfect for little kids as opposed to extravagant and expensive parties for 20+ kids. Think of it as a mini playdate. With just a couple of friends to celebrate the birthday, your child gets more quality one-on-time with their pals. Take the kids out for pizza, hit the arcade, or play mini golf. Whatever your child likes to do is what they should get to do on their birthday.

Host a Family Dinner

Some of the best birthday memories are made with your family around the dinner table. Take your child to their favorite restaurant and don’t forget to ask the server to have the staff sing “Happy Birthday” to your child. Another option is to plan their favorite homecooked meal. If there are relatives that are nearby or especially important to your child, invite them too!

Let Your Child Decide

What does your son or daughter want to do for their birthday? Just ask. They may surprise you and say they would just like to spend the day playing with you. If your kid is stumped, help make a list and talk about the many fun things you can do together to celebrate the birthday. In the end, let your child make the decision.

Hit the Skating Rink

Skating may have been more popular when you were a little kid but it’s still something fun you and your family can do together on your child’s birthday. Hit the skating rink for a couple of hours. It doesn’t matter if you go roller skating or ice skating. Be sure to let the rink know you’re there to celebrate a birthday so the DJ can announce the birthday and play a special song.

Have a Spa Day

Even the youngest of ladies enjoy a spa day every now and then. If you have a daughter celebrating a birthday, she’ll love having a spa day with you to celebrate her big day. Book a day at the spa for the two of you well in advance so you don’t run into an overbooked spa that can’t accommodate walk-ins. Make sure the spa knows you’ll be bringing in a child and her age in case that particular spa has a rule about minors. Or plan a home spa day and give each other facials, mani/pedis, and serve fruity drinks.

Go to a Sporting Venue

For the sports lover, take them out to the ballgame. Buy tickets to your child’s favorite sport for their birthday. If you can’t see the professional teams where you live or the tickets are too pricey, take them to a college or high school game. It’s all about the atmosphere and you can help root for the locals. If they’re a sports fan, there are plenty of sports-themed gift ideas to make the birthday even more special.

Play at the Amusement Park

A birthday will be one big thrill ride if you take your son or daughter to an amusement park. Many parks have perks you can buy in advance to save money, such as discount food, parking, and ticket packages. If your child has a birthday in the winter months, you can still visit the amusement parks or try an indoor water park. Even though some parks reduce their hours in the offseason, look at the schedule calendar online and you’ll often find open dates around the time schools are out for certain holidays.

Go Bowling

The bowling alley is a great place to take your child on his or her birthday. Make the day special by incorporating this idea with dinner at a favorite place and some of the other ideas on this list. They don’t have to do just one activity on this list to celebrate. You have many options and a bowling alley is a great place for your whole family to have fun together on a special day.

I recently moved (and finally got a sofa!) and am considering allowing people inside to see it, to mix and mingle and break in this new place. But it’s pretty small so it takes a little bit of strategy in addition to the normal prep for a housewarming. Jump below for some of the most useful tips I’ve come across.

For a housewarming party in a small space I’m imagining some food, plenty to drink and lots of nice people.

Clean up. People will be snooping and there’s never a second chance to make a first impression.

Use the Coffee Table as a table. Clear it off and keep it stocked with napkins and space for people’s drinks. Or set it up like a buffet for people to circle around and eat off of like gregory used to do.

Alternative Seating like stools, poufs and pillows on the floor will open up space for people. You can also just make them stand!

Set Up The Bar with enough room around it that people can gather. There’s always a crowd so don’t put it right by the front door where people are going in and out.

Keep the Lighting Flattering: there is nothing less flattering than an overhead light. Get the lamps on, have them on dimmers or switch out the bulbs for a lower wattage. Don’t forget to address the lighting in the bathroom. And while you’re at it, you might want to depersonalize the bathroom a bit too.

Party Proof The House . Especially in a small space where people will be bumping into furniture, etc. move the breakables, or at least anchor them with some earthquake putty.

A Place for Coats and Bags. My living room is so small that if two people came in with coats and bags, then I would have to turn people away, I’d be full. So without a coat closet, that means it all goes on the bed. This frees up tons of space and means I can invite more people 😉

Shoes on or Off this is always a raging debate, but decide ahead of time and make sure you’ve got room for people’s shoes and perhaps give them a courtesy heads up that their socks or feet will be on display for the party.

Music: Grace is our go-to for music advice (see here so she’s the first to point out the importance of your party playlist. Don’t leave it till the last minute. And put it on a half hour before guests arrive so that you get into the party spirit.

Stock up on Supplies like toilet paper, paper towels or dishtowels, and plenty of trashbags. And make sure the trash is in a convenient spot. How many times have you been at a party, been done with a napkin or a disposable plate or glass and had no idea where to throw it away?

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If you’re dreaming of a small, intimate wedding ceremony followed by a larger reception later on, you’re not the first—and you’re definitely not the first to wonder about the etiquette surrounding this type of celebration. It’s not an unheard of wedding style at all. To keep a tight-knit ceremony atmosphere (and the budget under control), many couples host large parties after eloping or having a quiet destination wedding. While traditional etiquette rules don’t forbid going this route, you’ll want to tread carefully when it comes to invitation wording and guest lists—you don’t want to rub anyone the wrong way. If you’ve made up your mind to do it this way, here’s how to approach it.

Actually Keep Your Ceremony Intimate

Whether your ceremony venue is tiny or you’re a shy couple trying not to make a spectacle of your vows, if you’re not inviting a large portion of guests to the service, then you should truly keep it intimate. That means including, at most, your immediate family, wedding party and/or closest VIP friends only. Inviting only half of your guests to the ceremony will make the remaining half feel second fiddle. And even though it’s generally understood that the wedding reception is the more costly portion of the evening, it’s hard not to feel like you aren’t as important as the guests who were invited to all the events.

4 Alternatives to Consider

1. Choose a Destination

If you’re keeping things small because you only want the people around who matter most, consider cutting the entire guest list down and saying “I do” at a destination that gives you a built-in excuse for only inviting certain people to the entire celebration.

2. Check Out Other Venues—Just in Case

If your ceremony location has a capacity issue, that’s definitely more understandable, but it still doesn’t take away that feeling of being a second-choice guest. Before settling on a ceremony venue, do some research to find out if other ceremony locations in your area accommodate more guests. If you’re set on your location, that’s totally okay. This is one thing people understand even if they feel like they wish they were included.

3. Keep the Whole Wedding Moderately Intimate

Our best advice would be to invite everyone you’d like to have around you (within reason) to both parts of your wedding—it’s the easiest way to avoid hurt feelings. And again, if you’re set on having a smaller ceremony, stick with a family-only policy. Adding in equations about which people get to come to the ceremony, and which people don’t, based on how often you interact with them or how long they’ve been friends just gets murky. Drawing the line at family members is a clear action that’s easy to follow and hard to argue.

4. Host the Party on a Later Date

This way, you put a little distance between each event so your reception guests understand that your ceremony was a smaller, more private affair—and now it’s time to party.

How to Plan a Small Ceremony and Large Reception

Invitation Wording

Most importantly, send out two different sets of invitations. One set should go to the people invited to both wedding events, and the other should go to the people invited only to the reception. To word the reception-only invites very formally, go with something like this:

“[Names of the couple] request the honor of your presence at a celebration of their marriage Saturday, the tenth of January at seven o’clock at the Rob Roy Country Club in Mount Prospect, Illinois.”

This way, guests will understand that the wedding itself will have already taken place.

Be Ready to Explain

This is honestly par for the course for any wedding, regardless of style or size, but be prepared to field questions about when the ceremony is taking place. Let guests know you’re exchanging vows in a limited space with family only, but want to party with a larger group postceremony.

Small weddings deserve all the style and personality of a big bash—take our fun Style Quiz to find your customized wedding vision, plus the right pros and expert advice to pull it all off

How to Host a Murder Mystery Party Ten Easy to Follow Steps to Plan and Host the Perfect Party by Dr. Bon Blossman

Murder mystery parties are a guaranteed hit with any group of people. The trick is to choose the right theme for your type of guests, and host it at the perfect venue. There’s no need to be elaborate to have a good time. These parties are super easy to host.

Make a Guest List:

The first step to any party is to create a guest list. You may decide to invite colleagues from the office, family, or lifelong friends. These three examples will end up being three different types of parties. Therefore, it is important to know the types of guests on your list prior to planning the actual party.

Choose a Theme:

Once you know who is going to receive an invitation, you can choose a theme. If you have a bunch of casual, outgoing guests, choose a theme that will engage them such as a decade theme, Wild West, or maybe a costume ball. If you are going to invite a majority of reserved professionals, stick to the traditional old manor dinner party theme. There are online companies, such as My Mystery Party, that have numerous themes to choose from, and you can purchase instant downloads of the game or boxed sets that are ready to go for you party.

Choose a Venue:

Your budget will dictate the venue. You can host a murder mystery party at home in your living room or backyard. Alternatively, if your budget allows, rent a haunted mansion or a bed & breakfast for the evening. Other options for hosting a murder mystery party would be a city park, recreation center party room, high school gym, private dining area of a restaurant, party bus, party boat / yacht or maybe even a hotel ballroom. Whatever venue you choose, make sure there are restroom facilities and ample parking spaces (or valet service) for your guests.

Assign Character Roles:

Now it is time for the serious planning of your murder mystery party. You have your guest list, you have chosen your venue and murder mystery party theme, so now let’s get the guests involved. You will spend some time viewing the characters in your chosen murder mystery. You can either elect to match personalities/occupations as closely as possible, or try to give your guests a character that is polar opposite to challenge them for the night. Either way, the host is the one that decides which character that each guest will play. Using a murder mystery party invitation, you’ll notify your guests of the theme of the party along with their character information and costume suggestions.

Invite Guests & Manage RSVPs:

Once you send the invitations to the guests, be sure to include some form of RSVP request on your invite. It can be a card to mail back to you or a simple request for a text message to let you know if they are committed to attend. You need to be sure that you have enough guests that RSVP to play your chosen murder mystery party. Most murder mystery parties have about 8-15 guests. However, there are games that start with 5 players and some that can handle over 200 players.

Plan Your Menu:

You should always serve some type of food with any party. Murder mystery parties are flexible, as you can serve appetizers the entire time, or have a formal sit down dinner. Most mystery party games are organized into rounds. Typically, round one would be a cocktail and appetizer hour. Round two would be when you would serve dinner. Round three is a great time for coffee and dessert. You can prepare the food yourself, or have it catered – but either way, be sure it doesn’t interfere with the flow of the mystery party. Check out My Mystery Party’s Pinterest page at /MyMysteryParty.

Decorate:

Depending upon your theme, you should always decorate the main party area to fit the theme. For example, with a Wild West party, find some hay bales and old wooden signs to place around the party room. Depending if your venue allows, you could scatter some sawdust on the ground for a saloon effect and use cowboy boots for vases containing flowers as the table centerpieces. With the traditional old manor murder mystery parties, spider webs and candelabras are essential for the decor. There is no right-or-wrong to decorating unless you fail to decorate. A party space should engage all of your guests’ senses when they enter the room. There is no need to break the bank with party decor, as candles set a perfect ambiance for a murder mystery party and they are quite inexpensive.

Round One:

As stated above, the murder mystery party is typically separated into rounds. Round one is when the guests mingle with their round one clue cards that give them clues to reveal to other players, as well as information to conceal about their respective characters. Don’t worry, any secret clues that are meant to come out about each character will do so in other players’ cards in later rounds. This is when the motives unravel and each character’s story line starts to build. The tension will be high at the end of this round.

Round Two:

The victim is notified that they are the victim on their round two clue card. There may be a pre-murder section on the card and a post-murder section. Some mysteries may announce the victim at the start of this round. Also, there are mystery parties that are formatted to where the guests know who the victim is prior to the party, and the victim is not a player. The latter can work, but it isn’t as exciting as making one of your guests the victim. The victim player is not typically taken out of the game, but rather plays the starring role in the story. The victim is asked to wear a victim sign and play along as the ghost of his/her former self. This way, the victim can still play along with the rest of the guests. After the victim is unveiled, an investigation round will ensue. Each player essentially becomes an investigator racing the clock to figure out whodunit before the murderer escapes. The players will mingle with the other players using the clues in their round two cards and then formulate their best guess of whodunit at the commencement of this round. There may be some forensic evidence uncovered as well – depending upon the mystery that you are playing.

Round Three:

After a brief accusation round where each guest reveals their guess of whodunit, the host will pass out the solution cards to each player. Each player will read/act out their solution and reveal their involvement, if any, with the murder. The murderer will confess at the finale of the game. At the conclusion of the mystery, the host can then decide if s/he wants to do an award ceremony. Most mystery games will have only about 10-15% of the guests that guess the correct solution to the mystery. There are many awards you can give to your players such as a Super Sleuth, a Slimy Suspect, Best Costume and more. The mystery party should take about two and a half to three hours from start to finish. You can extend this time by encouraging your guests to mingle at least twice with each character, each round, for more intense investigation parties. Alternatively, you can rush the rounds slightly and get the party done in about two hours if you simply want to host a quick mystery for fun.