r/partyplanning

What giveaways or party favors seem to be a big hits at events? Not things you'll leftover in the trash, on tables, or floors later. We are trying to cut down on waste and want people to enjoy and actually use the give outs. I think people have a million totes...something different

Hi yall I’m about to turn 21 on May 30th WOOP WOOP, and I wanna be surrounded by actual austinites who are also just as crazy and loving about this city as I am. Yall I miss the random aliveness this city used to be filled with. I believe our spirit still lives in small pockets around this town. I want to host it on the last day of the Month at Pease Park right by the parkway entrance where that field is. Pease park holds many special memories for me from my youth and high school so I want to create an even awesomer memory for the start of my legal adult life (ya I don’t count that 18,19,20 year old bullshit cause I still couldn’t do shit). Anyways I want it to be a fun and games type potluck event where we can all hangout watch the sunset and tell stories with each other. Open to all ages all peoples but of course social guests will be the May babies my Taurus and Gemini brothers and sisters. Please give me feedback about where else I could promote this I’d love to make it a new tradition for my friends and family and hopefully the greater Austin heartbeat. Would love to know what everyone thinks thank you!!

I love doing a fun themed birthday party, 24 I did Barbie because it came out on my birthday, 25 I did brat theme because it was brat summer. I turn 27 in two months and need theme recommendations!!

I thought about doing 27 club (friends liked it) but think there would be too many repeats.

Pop culture inspired, niche, eccentric ideas welcome.

Thanks in advance!!

Her birthday is in September, but I want to give her a summer party. I was wanting to send the invites out before the end of the school year to her classmates.

Should I mention that there will be no life guard on duty and the parents are responsible for their child, or is that a given?

Should I put what she’s interested in for potential gifts, or is that presumptuous? The goal is presence, not presents- but what seven year old wouldn’t like a couple gifts?

We recently went no contact with almost all family, I just want her to feel the love.

We’re planning on grilling burgers and hot dogs, maybe a couple sides, and providing pops and waters and maybe some juice pouches. Is there anything I’m not thinking of? I’ve never thrown a big party like this has the potential to be. Also, how do I pick the date? I’m thinking a Sunday would be best.

For some context, both of my sisters were unable to celebrate their graduations due to Covid or early graduation and I graduate highschool this year. Both of my sisters will be in town for my small family party and graduation walk, and I was hoping to be able to do something special for them to celebrate their own uncelebrated graduations. They’re both anti-big gesture and one will be flying back to their home a week or so after the party. I’m not sure what to do for them to make them feel special as well. Anyone been in a similar position or have any tips/ideas?

We are planning on hosting a housewarming party + 1 year celebration of our marriage. We eloped and now that things are settled, figured this would be a good time to celebrate these few milestones w our friends. Any suggestions on themes? Or party games? Things to keep the fun going? We are thinking of starting in the late afternoon, will provide dinner,drinks, and snacks of course.. we have a backyard space with a cowboy pool as well. First time planning a big party, help is appreciated!

My son is turning 4 and keeps changing what he wants the theme to be (usually Cars or Spider-Man) but now he’s very excited about a Signing Time birthday. I always make his birthday cake, and I’d like to put up some cute decorations, but how do I decorate for such a niche party? Assuming he keeps with it, which I think he might. His birthday is mid-July, so we still have some time.

What kind of crafts or activities would girls between ages 9-14 like to do at a birthday party? Looking for something easy to clean up but something they really like. Something unique would be great. Bday girl likes horses, nature, skin care, etc. but it doesn’t have to be any of those themes.

Two years ago when I started living on my own, I got 100 custom matchbooks for under $30 on efavormart. They said “stolen from [my name]’s apartment” with a cute champagne icon, and have been a huge hit. I host regular parties and guests will take them. I’ll go to my friends apartments and see them littered around by their candles and it’s nice to know I’ve given them a piece of my home that is useful and gives them a fun reminder of the time we’ve had together.

Flash forward to now, I want to make updated favors for my partner and I’s combined home, and efavormart doesn’t seem to do matchbooks anymore. Most vendors are charging almost a full dollar per matchbook, so an order of 100 would run me at least a hundred dollars. I know inflation has gone up, but triple the price in 2 years is unexpected.

What are other evergreen and affordable favors besides matchbooks to keep in my home for guests? Something that can potentially carry between multiple addresses in case we move to a different apartment before we run out.

Hi! My birthday is in August I’m desperate on how to plan a vintage Hollywood monster party without spending crazy money!

Hi everyone - I have a business idea I’m looking to get feedback on.

Concept: A virtual service that sources what you need for hosting a beautiful, cohesive party / event. This service would remove the stress associated with planning a party, allowing you to enjoy the event that much more. Think of this like home edesign that exists today but for hosting.

Details: I’m imagining working with clients to understand what kind of gathering they’re looking to host, and developing a custom kit for their needs. The service could provide any / all of the below (additional recs welcome!). I’m thinking the final deliverable would be a compilation of links to the items I recommend, or I could order for the client / send to their house (feedback here appreciated). The key thing here is that I am not looking to be a typical event planner - I would not offer setup / logistics (although I suppose I could recommend businesses for that), but would be more focused on curating the items a person needs to host an amazing event.

• Custom mood board (to be approved by client before sourcing the below)
• Invitations
• Decor (floral ideas, signage, candles, etc)
• Tablescape (plates, napkins, menus, placecards, tablecloth, etc)
• Drinkware
• Curated menu ideas
• Drink ideas
• Activity ideas

Applicability: I think this has broad applicability. Dinner parties, birthdays, bridal showers, bachelorettes, etc.

Would love to hear what people think / if you have ideas to make this more appealing! Would also love to hear any name ideas / better descriptions for what I have now. 😄 If you’d be interested in being a guinea pig for me and letting me design your next party (for free of course!), please let me know as well.

I’m planning a birthday party for my dad.

-Friday July 3rd
-Dress code: dress like the birthday guy
-I think we’ll do some type of smoked meat on the smoker (he’s keto) plus sides
-we’ll have an assortment of cooler drinks but will feature a rum & coke since that’s his signature go-to
-event is outdoors with lots of space
-there will be 20-35 guests, including kids

I want to do a theme of some sort and have some activities/games planned. He’s a funny guy and can take a joke. Jack of all trades, outdoorsman. I want to stay away from cheesy themes. Any ideas??

Hello

It is my sister's 40th next month and I have hired a bar as the venue..One of the optional extras is £5.95pp drink voucher. We are expecting 30+ and I can't afford to get one for everyone ( no-one invited will expect one, just want to add little extra bits to make it special :) ). I am thinking of getting 10-15 and making a game out of it. All I can think of so far, is to make a board with doors and they either have the vouchers behind or not.....any ideas appreciated:) xx

For context, first gen college grad hosting 60 ppl for grad party 42 RSVPd and the rest maybes .

Got a venue who is doing decor.

My mom and i are cooking /making treats /making floral centerpieces.

I hardly bought any "class of 2026" decor cause In my personal opinion it can be very tacky and tasteless.

I don't want to go over budget but now the anxiety is building up with little details that have been brought to my attention:

Are welcome signs absolutely necessary??

Do people really need to have my grad pics all over to see ? I'm planning on printing 2 or 3 grad pics and put them on the entrance table .

These are all intimate-ish guests so they know me lol

What the heck you do at these parties ??

I have a monopoly/jr achievement type of game which will get people to interact with each other and get the conversation going but let's be realistic, majority won't even show up on time.

I have the event scheduled to start at 6 and upon arrival each guest will have a mini charcuterie box to snack on.

I was thinking about 6:30pm - depending on how many people are there ,to start the game which is max 30 mins .Then open the dinner by 7 .

My mom said to just let them eat as soon as they get there .

I really don't want to doo to much with the speech or a full on wedding/quinceanera presentation . I think just welcoming and being a host makes it much more personalized.

Now if there isn't many people by 630- I was going to do a round of like grad bingo or like who knows grad the best.

I bought some "prizes" which is basically coffe mugs and journals

I don't want to have people just sitting and looking at each other's face or just in silence and letting boredom take over.

Also it's the first time my family and my bfs family will be under the same roof and essentially "meet" it's like a pre wedding meet and greet LOL

SOS! TIA!

Hosting a party of 30ish people in a relatively small apartment. We all go to school together and while we have separate friends groups, everyone there will be at least acquaintances with each other.

I’ve hosted similar parties in the past but they feel a little awkward because it’s mainly just one crowded room and a big back deck. I’m hoping to come up with some sort of activity everyone at the party can participate in despite the limited space. Ideally it’s something fun that gets people talking and interacting but doesn’t feel lame or forced. Bonus points if the game still works with people arriving and joining at different times but definitely not required!

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

Im having my baby shower in two months I finally decided on a theme Duck, Duck, Goose… A Baby Boy Is On the Loose! Since I have two daughters and this will be my first boy but I have no idea of how to decorate I need help

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So we were once talking about how her friend's boyfriend was thinking of planning a birthday party for her friend by booking a private theatre. She kind of liked the idea. I wanted to do something special as well. Is there anything that can be done on a similar or a larger scale?

De base je suis pas le type de personne a fêter mon anniversaire mai cette fois c’est mes 18ans et j ai vraiment envie de le faire mais y’a un problème, je sais pas quoi faire
On sera entre 8-12 et j’hésite manger dans un restaurant ça me semble trop simple, un parc d attraction on dérapas vraiment toutes ensemble (mieux quand on est genre 5). Aidez moi s’il vous plaît en sachant que bah je doit leurs payer un truc quoi (pas trop chère non plus ) 😭😭😭😭🙏🙏