The Necessities A Day to

1
Step 15: Get Your Cameras Ready!
Make sure your camera has sufficient
memory for photos and make sure
Remember
DAY BEFORE
 Plates your batteries are charged.
 Napkins Instructions on how to
Step 16: Set Up
 Cups Time for a complete overhaul! Host a Birthday Party
 Table Covers Decorate the party area respectively if
 Plastic Cutlery possible and prepare any food items.
Look over the steps one more time for
 Invitations
last minute tasks and items.
 Thank You’s
 Blow Outs
 Beverages
 Hats
 Streamers
 Mylar/Latex Balloons
 Cake & Cutter
 Candles & Matches/Lighter
TIME TO PARTY!!!
 Confetti Decorate
 Food
 All “Meal” Items Prepare Food
 Snacks
 Ice Cream & Scooper Correlate Activities
 Games/Activities
 Items Needed For Game/Activity Take Pictures
 Party Favors Have Fun!
 Camera/Film/Charged Batteries
 Pi~
nata
 Ice/Coolers The Party Crew
 Decorations 1234 NDSU Lane
Fargo, ND 58105

Phone (701) 555-0125

Fax (701) 555-0145
3-4 WEEKS BEFORE
Step 1: Choose a Theme
Talk with your child, get them excited, and ask
them if they want a theme. This could also be
decided on your own and implemented as a
surprise. No one knows your child more than you!
Step 2: Pick a Date and Time
Pick a date that is best suitable for you and the
guests. Parties are typically 2 – 3 hours.
Weekends are your best option if you want to
attract a big crowd!
Step 3: Create a Guest List
Build your guest list by naming of close friends
from school and your neighborhood. Don’t forget
to invite close relatives.
Step 4: Pick a Location
Choose where you want to host the party. The
party could take place at a restaurant, arcade,
bowling alley, amusement park, etc. TIP: If you
want to keep it cheap, have it at your own
residence.
Step 5: Book Entertainment
If you want to make this experience one of a kind,
book entertainment. You could choose
entertainment that correlates with the theme.
Entertainment could include clowns, a magician,
or petting zoo. If you decide you want an
entertainer at the party it’s best to book them well
in advance.
Step 6: Send Out Invitations
Prepare your invitations and get them in the
mail. It’s important to give your friends and
family at least 3weeks notice so they can
plan accordingly. Include the date, time,
1 WEEK BEFORE
location, and request the guest to RSVP so
that you have an idea on how much supplies
2-3 WEEKS BEFORE
Step 7: Plan Activities
Step 11: RSVP Follow Up
Activities are crucial for making both your
Contact guests that haven’t responded to
child and guests happy. Take into
the invitation. Knowing how many people
consideration the age of the guests and plan
are attending is very important. This could
your activities accordingly. TIP: It is
save you money from buying excess
important to prepare for more activities than
supplies or could prevent you from buying
you expect necessary. Running out of
too little of supplies.
activities could result in disappointed guests.
Step 12: Go Shopping
Step 8: Plan Your Meal
Grab your checkbook and your shopping
Ask your child what they want on the menu.
list. It’s time to go! Head to your favorite
Create a grocery list for when you go
shopping center and pick up all the items
shopping. Use some discretion on your child’s
necessary for the party.
request and be sure to provide a well balanced
meal; and yes that includes veggies.
Step 13: Prepare Party Favors
Party favors are small gifts given to guests
Step 9: Plan for Additional Help
in appreciation for their attendance. They
Preparing a party can be stressful and time
typically consist of small bags filled with
consuming. If you feel additional help is
candy, toys, pencils, or other small gifts.
needed for preparation or conducting the
TIP: Use more candy than toys as these
party, call a friend. It is likely that your friend
small toys may not be used by the guests
will have a child invited to this party.
when they go home.
Step 10: Finalize a Grocery/Supply List
Step 14: Order/Pickup Cake
Write down everything you need; decorations,
It’s tradition to have a cake at a party and
food, treats, activity props, prizes, favors, etc.
therefore is worth noting. You can order a
Refer to the necessities list. This list will
cake at Walmart, Cold Stone, Dairy
come in handy very soon! TIP: Watch for
Queen, as well as most grocery stores.
coupons in your local newspaper for groceries
Allow your child to participate in the
and other needed supplies.
choice of the cake. Be sure to take your
expected attendance into account to help
chose the proper sized cake. TIP: Baking
a cake yourself and letting your child help
decorate is a more personal touch.