Celebrations

I love celebrations.  Doesn't matter what kind, I just like any excuse for throwing a party!  I have some tips for throwing your own celebration - and having fun at it yourself.

I firmly believe in "tradition".  Tradition is not only fun to pass down to the kids, but helps you immensely as you plan.  For instance, we have certain things that MUST be done to make birthdays "just right".  We have the "birthday chair".  It's just the chair that the child will be sitting in on their birthday, decorated with streamers and balloons..  We have streamers going from each corner of the dining room into the middle light fixture, two balloons in each corner, a home-made cake of the child's choosing, and a pinata.  I'm not EXACTLY sure how we got into the pinata thing, but I'm not allowed to omit it!  Yes, it might seem repetitive, but I always know that I need balloons, streamers, and newspapers (for the pinata).

Make lists....and try not to lose them.  The very best thing is to have a notebook for all your lists.  Just some random $0.10 notebook that you can pick up before school starts, and you're all set.  Get a big Sharpie and write CELEBRATIONS on the front and voila - a list book!!

I make lists for everything.  Who's invited, what I'll make, EXACTLY what I have to do to prepare the house, shopping lists, thank yous (with columns for "required" and "completed".  Do what works for you, but write it down.  Then you'll know when you're done and won't have a nagging feeling about what you've forgotten to do.

Finally, get as much done ahead of time as possible.  Make the day of the event fun and relaxing for everyone, including yourself.  If you'll have to plate items, get those plates and utensils out and put them where your guests can help (someone always asks to help).  If you have to scoop ice cream, do it ahead of time into little cupcake wrappers, place on a baking sheet and freeze so you just have to serve.  Making punch, but it has to be last minute?  Make sure it's all in the fridge, cold and ready to be poured.

You CAN enjoy parties.  You have to choose to not stress over what's not perfect, and enjoy your guests.  Invite people you care about, have a glass of wine, and enjoy your day!!