Party Planning Tips

Select a location. Where are you going to have a party?
Adding a theme for the party can make it more fun. If it's a costume party or tropical party, be sure to include the attire on the invitation!
Determine a date/time for your party.
Set a budget. Gather ideas at expos or online to gather an estimated cost. Make sure you include anyone else who is going to be involved with the budget.
Be considerate of your guests.. Not everyone wants to dance, not everyone wants to listen to the music, some people want to talk and relax. Accommodate all age groups.
Start choosing the guests. Only invite guests that you want. Invite people you would like to get to know better, and if you want your party to be big, tell them to bring their friends. Get as accurate a count as you can before the party so as to make certain you have the space, parking, food and drink to accommodate.
Make invitations or buy them. Be creative, include pictures of the birthday child or wedding couple. .Mail them out, out within a reasonable time frame of notice. .
Determine what food to provide. Have a large selection for kids and adults.
What's a party without music? D.J.s are great for getting the party started. It's also good idea to have a couple of cds or an ipod ready! Let your guests make special requests.
Set the mood/tone of the party with your music, lighting, decoration and attire. If you want to have an energetic dance environment, have music, strobe lights, lasers, fog machines and maybe a slide show or video of the host.
Have some party games set up. This does not mean what it used to with pin the tail on the donkey or spin the bottle. Some games of interest may be: Scene It: A DVD-based game where players answer trivia questions about TV shows or movies;Rock Band: This game is available on multiple game systems with the objective of playing as members of a band with the use of the guitar, microphone and drum kit included with the game; Guitar Hero series: This can be a one or two player game depending on which edition you choose. Like Rock Band, it uses its own controllers of the guitar nature to play through the game's levels; Dance Dance Revolution: This can be one or two player depending on what controllers you have available. Step to the music as directed by the arrows on the screen. Even if only a few people play this game, depending on which edition you choose, can provide some great music.
Make sure guests follow your rules. If alcoholic beverages will be served, designate someone to "grab the keys" when then enter and offer designated drivers or limo service to get them home safely. Be prepared for overnight guests--and maybe provide them with a bucket.
Bartenders are great for supervising the amount of alcoholic consumption with guests .