3 Tasks To Planning A Party In Your Home That Nobody Talks About
Colton will be celebrating his second birthday on Friday and this is the first time that we will be hosting anything in our own home. With myself being a November baby I know how much I used to hate the fact that my parties had to be indoors, while my brother got to have his outside because of this the ones that were at a restaurant were always the ones I looked forward to more. That is why for Lucas’ birthdays (January baby) we always try to host it at a community center or a restaurant with a play area, somewhere the kids can go nuts and run around.
Planning a party can be fun. Planning a party in your own home… not so much! Any party sites you visit always tell you about the basic things you need to do to get ready for a party, no one tells you about the manual labor that needs to be done.
1. Taking Inventory - Every year, just about everyone asks what they should get my boys for their birthdays… I usually just shrug it off and say “Whatever you want, they will be happy with.” which is 100% true but than their drawers end up with 20 different pairs of pants and t-shirts but they have no sweatshirts that fit them. My kids are messy but bit that messy, so a lot of times the clothes don’t get worn and they get forgotten about until it’s too late. I have cleaned out the closet and the drawers and took an inventory for what is needed for the near future, including sizes and when they ask I am ready with an answer.
2. Fix Things - Just like in every household, I have things that need to be fixed, I live in an apartment so it’s not like myself or my husband has to fix them, it’s really only a matter of a simple phone call… but I am a procrastinator and so of course, these things have been put off. Until now, I finally made that call and someone will hopefully be here today.
3. Clean - This does not mean tidying up or doing the ‘dailies’ this is cleaning the couch, washing the walls (which I hate), cleaning the windows and making sure their is no clutter. I know what your thinking… That stuff should be done already but I’m a procrastinator, remember?
In the end I know it will all be worth it, seeing the look in his eyes when everyone sings Happy Birthday to him (his favorite song at the moment), watching him open presents (so far birthdays and Christmases he’s been to young to care) but most of all watching him be around the ones who love him.
I’d love to know your secrets. What do you so to get ready for a party you are hosting that nobody else knows or that nobody else would do?
40 Comments
kathy downey
Having a party is a lot of work you are so right
Deedra Martinez
I always make sure I add fresh stuff to the main bathroom, fresh hand towels, a nice smelling soap, more tp rolls. I also make sure the plunger is in there too.
Amanda Komoski
We went out and bought new towels and I just had to put my new Pumpkin Cupake hand soap out from Bath and Body 🙂
Laurie P
If I know there will be a lot of little ones around, I tend to put away my girls pricier or just “special” toys…I had it happen years ago with my son where is prized Thomas collection got dumped, something broke, and my boy was not happy….for a long time.
Amanda Komoski
We made sure all of the video game stuff was put away and no one was allowed in the bedrooms.
freespirithandmade
I love to have parties at my house and I really don’t stress about getting it too clean because honestly most of my friends don’t care and it’s just going to get messed up anyway. I’m usually too busy cooking more food for the party to get to it anyway. The main thing I have to do to get ready for a party is to put all my projects away because my sewing machine lives on the dining room table lol.
Amanda Komoski
LOL that’s kind of like me and my blogging stuff 🙂
Masshole Mommy
We have one big huge party for my boys birthday in August and there is so much work involved in planning it….and the cleaning before AND after the party stinks!
Amanda Komoski
Ya, I know… My husband said next year were renting a venue again lol. He’d rather pay the extra than have to do the work again.
Sara Nguyen
there is so much effort that goes into home parties that people just don’t realise. I hope Colton’s party is a blast! 😀 Have fun! 😀
Amanda Komoski
It was Sara! He was so tired after we opened ALL of his toys that he passed out on my lap 🙂
Rochkirstin Santos
Partying at home is cool ’cause everyone in the guest list can feel more comfortable to go around and chat with everyone else. Our biggest problem though is cleaning. Since there’s only four of us, we can’t seem to accommodate the mess afterward haha. We have to hire a helper for that.
Amanda Komoski
Nevermind after… there’s just four of us also and the before cleaning was hard enough.
Emily
After a number of VERY messy house parties in the last few years, I’m not sure I’ll be ready to host anymore for a while. Cleaning is most certainly not what I want to be doing the next morning!
Amanda Komoski
It’s 4 days later and I’m still cleaning lol
Darlene W
I love to plan and do all the behind the scene things that need to be done. Hubby is more the party person so he is the one who hosts, its just me
Amanda Komoski
The planning part is my favorite and the mingling, it’s everything in between and after that I don’t like.
Catherine Sargent
Hosting a party is a lot of work but it is worth it in the end. Cleaning up afterwards is what I dred the most.
Amanda Komoski
The part that’s worth it for me is the fun that my boys have.
Of Coffee and Crackers
Doing party at home is always a labor of love.. Good luck on your plans.. Good thing also is that there are many resources online where you can get the designs/decors for your DIYs ..
Amanda Komoski
That’s a good one too! My oldest will want a theme in January, so I’ll have to keep that in mind.
Chrissy Mazzocchi
Throwing a party is SO much work, I throw them a lot! Great tips!
Marie Moody
Oh yes, planning a party at home is the biggest chore there is cleaning thoroughly happens around here every October right before Christmas. We clean down to the rugs and up to the windows. Parties are the same way. Its a lot of work for sure.
Franc
All the edges and windows should be clean whenever there’s a party. If not, this would be noticeable by guests.
Donna
I had my son’s 1st and 2nd birthday parties in our home… since then we had them at other venues like a bowling alley, bounce houses, etc. It’s much easier and less stressful that way. 🙂
Amanda Komoski
I agree 100%
Liz Mays
I threw one party in my home and I think it was my favorite ever. I really tried to make it a super fun party for my daughter since it was also a goodbye party in a way. We were moving. 🙁
LoriBosworth
One of the benefits of hosting a party is having a clean house. Of course it’s a lot of work before the party, but at least it’s clean when you’re done!
Amanda Komoski
Haha until after the party 🙁
Geanine
We love hosting parties at our home, and the benefit my husband likes best is an ultimate clean house. the good part is the cleaner the house before the party the less of a hassle to clean up after.
Mama Miller
Good tips! I love hosting but it is a lot of work!:)
Kath Rivera
We always throw a party at home. No hassle at all since everyone is dedicated to the tasks assign to them.
Yan Birog
hosting a party at home can be really really stressful, we only do it if we’re inviting people who are really close to us who we want to spend more time (and even the entire night) with, since party venues can only be used for a limited time. >XD
Deann
I just hosted a party last month, I’ve invited some of my closest friends. And believe me it’s really tiring, it has a lot of work to do!
Amy Lovell
Having a party is def a lot of work! But oh so much fun! I love catering to my guests and making yummy treats for all!
kathy downey
Parties are so much work,but its all worth it when you see the smiles
Amy Lovell
THese are so e grerat tips on a party! Thanks!
DARLENE W
yes the dreaded cleaning, I close my eyes and wish for the cleaning fairy to come for a visit
Amanda Komoski
If only there was such a thing.
Elizabeth Matthiesen
After the third children’s birthday party at my house, I stopped cleaning before the kids arrived. I just got fed up with the mess I had to clean up afterwards, one lot of cleaning is more than enough for me. When there were only adults I didn’t mind cleaning before hand. Now when there’s a party, it’s always upstairs at my son’s so I’m a guest too now, nice eh?