Call me crazy but I really love hosting parties from a little intimate dinner to a 20-30 people baby shower. As long as I'm organised, I'm pretty good at staying stress free and pulling it off smoothly. It's when I'm without a plan that I tend to break down in a stress heap that involves a little to much yelling and running from one end of the house to the other (along with the odd burnt item of food).
I've started making myself a little plan when I hold parties that includes everything I need for the event. Yes it sounds a little bit you-know-what but it's what I need. I put in my menu, all the recipes, timings, decorations and anything else I can think of. It's a pretty useful little document by the end of it. I thought my baby shower plan might help other people with planning similar events so (with a lot of Googling to figure out how to embed a PDF) here you go.
I've shared my decorations, including how I made some of them, the menu, recipes, shopping list, games and an idea of what to make when. I hope it can help you with your next event.
Some of my other tips for running a stress-free party are:
- Use foil trays for cooking. I know it's not very environmentally friendly but if you're friendly to the environment most of the time you can have a day off.
- Use fancy paper or plastic plates. You can get the environmentally-friendly ones if you're concerned after my last tip.
- Keep it simple.
- Do as much as you possibly can the day before so when you wake up on the day you can have a nice leisurely breakfast and apply the finishing touches.
- Enjoy yourself!
Inspired2cook says
Great party tips! Beautiful table, too!!!
Claire says
Thanks Andrea!
Daisy@Nevertoosweet says
You are a LIFE SAVER Claire :) I love how you've documented everything and you make it so so so SIMPLE to host a party! It's crazy it's so easy :D everytime i have friends over I freak out and always running around like a wild person hahaha but really if I just relaxed and planned it well...it'll be fine ~
Can't wait to print your party plan next time I host a party :) Thanks Claire!
Claire says
I hope it helps Daisy! Sometimes being a little too organised is a good thing!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
These are such great ideas! I love themes and themed ideas and should I be called to host a baby shower or girly party I know I'll be armed with ideas! :D
Claire says
Thanks Lorraine! I hope it helps!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Great job, Claire! It's so true, if your just organized, you can pull off just about anything, my problem is I keep thinking up new ideas at the last minute!
Claire says
I have that problem too Chris!
Hotly Spiced says
You should do events Claire. I'm sure there are people out there who would feel that no matter how hard they try there's no way they could pull off what you did - but I bet they'd have the money to pay you to do it for them!
Claire says
Thanks Charlie! I don't think I could do it for a strange. It's only fun when I know who all the work is for!