The 5 Golden Rules for Planning a Great Party

Hello!  I'm glad you're here for a special Party! post lineup hosted by the ladies of The Party Pack Giveaway.

Fabulous Wendi of Party Pixie must have sensed I'm still without invitations for Boo's Birthday, because she's offering me and you a 15% shop discount with this sweet discount code:

IHEARTPIXIE15

Can I just tell you, I'm so glad I stumbled upon her adorable printables. I love her Hungry Caterpillar series. I love the book, and her adaptation is so fun!

I wanted to share with you my Golden Rules for planning a great party.

The 5 Golden Rules for

Planning a Great Party

Set a budget/spending limit 

A budget does not have to feel limiting, or bring on feelings of sadness and misfortune. A budget frees us from the consequences, distress, and guilt of overspending. A budget will bring all of the wonderful possibilities for your party into focus. You can throw a great party on a $0 budget.

For a unique party

Instead of buying decor from a party store, let it inspire you. If you do buy decor from a party store, you are still a fabulous mother! I have purchased the Princess-themed paper plates myself. I also love authentic decor for Halloween parties, and when off-the-shelf decor feels cheap, gory, and overdone I look to other sources for inspiration. Like artist sketches, magazines, movies [and cartoons], and even video games.

Name this movie set!

The answer is at the bottom of our post!

Spin a classic

Instead of a balloon bouquet...

thrift store, $2

Focus on fun for a memorable celebration.

Hubby and I love to include a surprise experience guests will remember, like:

Taste-bud changing tablets Think Geek, $14.99

Fog-filled bubbles Steve Spangler Science, $24.99

Gather your decor

An entire home is an enormous canvas, so find the decor surfaces in each room of your home. 

decor surface | a level surface you can decorate

A tables, a shelf, a mantle.

A few items gathered to one surface can make a big impact.

a table

a shelf

the top of a hutch

a loft window

I hope our Golden Rules help you in planning many memorable parties in your home!

As promised, the name of the movie set shown above is "Groundhog Day." This set inspired a "Groundhog Day"-themed date night, which we'll post soon!

Don't forget to check out these links to more

great Party posts in the lineup:

[I still need help planning Boo's Birthday!]

Events To Celebrate: 3 Birthday Party Invitation Ideas - Free Printables
Create & Babble: Party Decorations Round-up
Simplistically Sassy: Party Favor Ideas
Party Pixie: Party Planning Timeline and Stress Free Tips
Cupcake Diaries: Cupcake Shake Shooters
Lady Makes It: Allergy Friendly Party Ideas
Solace Amid the Chaos: Puppy Themed Birthday Party
You've Got Your Hands Full: 5 Party Themes for Twins