Child's Birthday Party

• Difficulty: High
• Cost: High
• Time: High

Easily the most difficult event to plan, a child's birthday party requires a lot of preparation in advance, and can be rather costly when it comes to providing entertainment, food, and birthday decorations .

Theme Party

• Difficulty: Medium
• Cost: Low
• Time: Low

Theme parties tend to be the most entertaining while remaining rather cost efficient. All they really require is a dress code or costumes . Often times, music, food, and decorations  are themed as well.

Holiday Party

• Difficulty: Low
• Cost: Medium
• Time: Low

 Whether it's Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, or Valentine's Day, holiday parties are very popular. Most of these events focus mainly on food and decorations --and enjoying the company of others, of course.

Dinner Party

• Difficulty: Low
• Cost: Medium
• Time: Low

Dinner parties  vary in cost, depending on whether the host or the guests are providing the food, but they usually remain rather inexpensive because the parties take place in someone's house or apartment.

Bachelor/ette Party

• Difficulty: Medium
• Cost: High
• Time: Medium

These events only require real planning when a trip is involved. Otherwise, they simply focus on having fun with friends before you get married . They are, however, costly because of the food and alcohol--and entertainment--usually consumed.

3 to 6 Months Before

• Finalize event date and location.
• Book entertainment (hire a musician, comedian, magician, etc).
• Get cost estimates for site rental, food, beverages, entertainment, music, lighting, etc.
• Compile a mailing list, and design/order invitations.
• See if special permits, insurance, or licenses are necessary for the occasion or event location.
• For business events, fund raisers, and public relation events: 
• Select a chairperson and committee.
• Draft an initial budget.
• Find sponsorship, if needed.
• Consider holding pre-party publicity event or organizing a press release.
• Set marketing schedule.

1 to 2 Months Before

• Create a guest list.
• Set menu with caterers.
• Distribute event posters and flyers.
• Secure all necessary contracts, permits, and insurance.
• Finalize hired entertainment and party décor.

1 Week Before

• Hold committee meeting for all last minute details.
• Confirm all guests who are attending.
• Distribute a ceremony and reception seating chart, if necessary.
• Schedule a pick up for all rented equipment.
• Reconfirm event site.
• Schedule a rehearsal dinner.
• Create a fund for last minute emergencies and tipping event staff.

1 Day Before

• Make sure all decorations are set up properly.
• Confirm all necessary equipment.
• Reconfirm reception food and drinks.
• Check sound and lighting equipment.
• Go over any final details or changes.

Your Budget

• If you want to spend less, hosting parties at home  is an inexpensive option.
• Renting a place--a dance hall, restaurant, etc.--doesn't have to make you poor. Shop around for the best prices.
• Remember to also include the cost of decorations, food, and clean-up in your budget.
• If you're having trouble choosing a wedding location that fits in your budget, research some money saving tips for weddings.

How Many are Attending

• Knowing how many people are attending is important because it will determine:
• Location and space. (Even though you may want to save money by throwing a party in your home, if the number to guests is too high you won't be able to safely--or inexpensively--host an event there.)
• How much food and drink needs to be provided.
• To find out who is attending your event, you will need to send invitations  electronically or via mail.
• Encourage your guests to RSVP.
• This will give you time to estimate how many people are coming.

Foil Curtains

Perfect for hiding a surprise party or simply adding extra flair, decorative foil curtains  can be hung in doorways or in hallways to create an interesting room division. Some curtains are made with specific themes in mind as well.

Lights

Lighting can completely change the environment of a party. Whether you want dark, sultry red lighting for a Valentine's Day party or a flashing strobe light  and some glowsticks  for a dance-off, both can help create the mood you desire.

Hanging Swirl Stars

These are my personal favourite. Some might consider them a bit tacky, but I think they're fun, colourful foil decorations . And don't worry about ruining your ceiling--Hanging swirl stars  can be easily hung using double sided tape.

China Dinner Set

You can't simply eat off any old plates during fancy events. Spruce up the meal with a bone china dinner set  that everyone can appreciate. Plain white china sets are perfect for most formal events, especially weddings.

Table Linens

Table linens can instantly change a room's décor. For festive and fun events, use brightly-coloured table linens. For very formal events, use plain white tablecloths--you can pair them with embroidered napkins  to add some flair.

Flower Arrangements

Silk flower bouquets  make perfect wedding reception decorations. You can order them in any colour and size, and because the flowers are made of silk, you won't have to worry about wilting or discolouration.

Food

• Serving finger food in divided platters  helps prevent mess and contamination.
• Don't forget to provide disposable plates , napkins, forks and knives!
• Check with your guests, especially if you're hosting a children's event, about any potential food allergies .
• For large or formal events, hiring a catering company will probably be the easiest, most stress-free way to feed all your hungry guests.

Beverages

• Providing drinks in decorative cups, like silly plastic coconut cups , is a simple way to instantly spruce up punch or cocktails.
• Garnish drinks, whether they're alcoholic or not, with cocktail umbrellas  or a curled orange rind.
• For winter beverages, using spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves adds to the holiday vibe.
• Many formal events--where plastic cups and goofy drink names aren't often included--have a fully stocked bar and bartenders.

Arts and Crafts

Children love hands-on activities, and arts and crafts are a perfect way to let them productively unleash their creativity. Depending on the age group of the children who are attending (small parts and hazardous paints are not good for the little ones), group activities like face painting  or building with LEGOS  can be fun and rewarding.

Music

Music is the perfect addition to almost any party. For a quiet dinner party, try playing a Classical music CD full of your favourite composers. Throwing a holiday party? Grab a book of Christmas carols . Theme parties also offer a great opportunity to play music; throw on a mixed CD  full of sea shanties for a pirate-themed event.

Games

Board games make excellent group activities, encourage problem solving, and come with every age group and skill level in mind. Try providing a game of giant Connect Four  for young kids, Apples to Apples  or Monopoly  for teenagers, and Pictionary Man  or Dirty Minds  for adults; they'll provide great fun for everyone!

How to Plan Your Own Wedding and Save Thousands--Without Going Crazy 

A wedding is supposed to be a memorable event, not a financial and mental burden. This how-to book can help both brides and grooms plan a fantastic wedding, no matter what the budget is.

The Everything Wedding Organizer: Checklists, Charts, and Worksheets for Planning the Perfect Day 

This guidebook covers bridal showers, rehearsals, the reception, and everything in between. It provides useful worksheets to help you budget your time and money, and stay on track.

The Complete Wedding Music Planner 

This guide can help you and your partner select the perfect music for your big day with sheet music for over 40 pieces of classical, jazz, pop, and rock songs. It also includes photos, poems, sample vows, and advice to help you with the non-musical aspects of your wedding.