Happy New Year!
I have so many exciting things prepared for this year. Thankful for the year 2024 and hopeful for the year 2025.
With many celebrations approaching, I realized that I have never actually executed a birthday event for myself, with this I am spending the first month of this year celebrating and entering my hosting bag.
26th Birthday out in town.
Hosting friends and family is always something that has come comfortably and easily to me so here are a few tips and tricks for hosting an amazing event. Since we are past the holiday season you can prepare for your next birthday or for the next holiday season. Or- just plan a gathering of loved ones.
My intentions for the upcoming year are all about action. There are so many ideas I hold on to, waiting for the perfect moment to put into action. For about two years, I have had a theme in mind for my birthday and I am so excited to put it together. From a past post you can probably figure out what it is.
I need to get this vision out of my head!
I am still in the beginning stages, making calls and putting things together and if you are in the beginning stages here are some things you should prepare.
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Color scheme/theme.
I love a masquerade ball, or a pastels picnic, having a theme creates a feel of uniformity and coordination to your event. Giving guest guidelines and allowing them to interpret your vision in their various ways is always amazing to see. Just like the Met Gala.
If you don’t know or want a theme, the easiest thing to do is a color. You can ask your guest to all come in yellow, and you show up in green! Or- an all white event always looks heavenly. You can either coordinate your guests color or color coordinate the event space. Napkins, plates and spoons and forks can do a lot to set a beautiful theme throughout your event.
For my event I am still deciding on the colors. I don’t know if I want my guests to do a specific color scheme yet, but my event is a tea party. It would be nice to see how my girls interpret this theme.
II. Bring Back favors (BBF)
Party Favors seem to be a dying practice. But here me out… please. Party favors are always a beautiful thank you to your loved ones for celebrating with you, and something they can always look back on and enjoy.
With my event being relatively intimate I look forward to gifting my friends gifts for showing up and celebrating my day with me. Everyone seems to have a testimony of a horrible birthday story. We KNOW that no one has to be there with you on your birthday. Etsy is the perfect place for beautiful party favors. Or if you are getting married favors for guests or even your bridal party. I am keeping my favors special, but here are a couple of favors I was considering.
I actually got this favor as a bridesmaid in a wedding. It is my favorite gift that I often use. It is customized with my name on it.
This is such a cute dish your guest can re-use. If I were to use this favor I’d likely fill it with candy or mints.
This gives Bachelorette vibes, but I love the DETAILS. If I were receiving favor, I would definitely know that the host put money and intentionality into every detail of the event!
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Plan the vibes
I know we’d love for everyone at our event to just spark up conversation and get along organically, and usualy that is my plan A. But it is best to put even that more intention into your event to plan an activity or even topics to discuss at your event.
For my Birthday every invitation sent was very intentional and thought out. Being a transplant it can be scary moving to a new city with limited friends and family. Creating new bonds on your own can be daunting. My initiations consist mostly of women whom have made the transition beautiful and comfortable for me. Even some women who I knew before my move and they stood as a pillar of support during the transition.
Though I expect everyone to mesh and have a great time, I do have things such as games, conversation topics and enrichment activities for the time being. My goal is for my friends to get to know each other, network, and even form connections. This is what makes the event more special!
Please just don’t leave a bunch of strangers in a room staring at each other!
Here are a few dinner party games and ideas!
Interactive Murder Mystery Game –
I have actually wanted to host one of these and it could definitely be done at a dinner party or a house party. With this, each guest will be assigned a role and a story line and the object for everyone at the event is to solve the mystery. I would save this for maybe sometime in October, but if you love a good mystery. Do it whenever! And send me an invite cause I think this would be so fun. This event is interactive as everyone is playing a roll and trying to solve a common objective. this encourages guest to interact.
No ice breakers, please we are not on the first day of school!
Plan an activity, Paint and sip, Dessert decorating, you can do anything, just invest in an activity to keep guests engaged and entertained. You want this to be a memorable experience. You could have them paint a jar to take home, as a favor! Two birds, one stone!
…If all else fails, you can google conversation topics for the table.
Let me know if you’d like more, or if you have tips to share!
