| Is party theme planning dead?...as the smoke | | | | elements can be done with more thinking than |
| cleared the child asked:"What did you wish for this | | | | money. Always ask: "How could I do this for no |
| time Mommy?"And the reply: "The same thing | | | | cost..?" |
| each year darling, the same thing"Little did she | | | | If cost isn't the issue -- get others to do it and |
| know her Mother was crying out for a themed | | | | pay them.Spread the EnthusiasmBuild up the |
| birthday party. She wanted a party she didn't | | | | momentum slowly. Under-hyping is BEST. Careful |
| have to plan herself!"I wished for a well planned | | | | party theme planning will take care of this.A |
| birthday for me!"The problem...In a time poor | | | | Run-Sheet is a MUST haveNo mater how small, |
| world you can hear the sharp intake of breath as | | | | what age or how many people. ALWAYS use a |
| people steel themselves against a question as old | | | | run sheet. Can be a basic as |
| as time:"What are we going to do for her | | | | what-where-when-who.Memory VarietyIf you are |
| birthday?"The question of a theme will inevitably | | | | capturing the party for memories use a few |
| get asked and if the Planning Person is not lush | | | | different methods. How many can you come up |
| with time or flush with cash it might usher in | | | | with?A word or two on themes...They can be |
| card-cake-gift time.No plan. Just reaction.But is this | | | | anything....Really. All you have to do is look closely |
| reaction just?What stops many a party in it's | | | | and there will be a theme hovering. Imagine a |
| tracks is a warped perception of time and money. | | | | family of four who want to consider party theme |
| Clever party theme planning is one way to | | | | planning as a family. For a mother think about |
| side-step these obstacles and the good news is it | | | | appreciation, a dad maybe it will be sense of |
| can cost half as much and take next to no time. | | | | adventure. A brother could be "Pain in the...butt we |
| Half the cost. Half the time. The value of having | | | | love 'im" and for a sister you could think along the |
| a theme...A well planned theme -- around anything | | | | lines of "Thelma and Louise - two gals taking on |
| related to the person in question -- will have | | | | the world.."I was once able to make a family |
| massive , m-a-s-s-i-v-e, MASSIVE impact.Why, | | | | party out of my wife's love of patchwork quilting!I |
| you ask? Well, it shows thought and was not | | | | knew nothing about it, save what she had told |
| expected.What about the reverse? Give them | | | | me and what I had seen her do. A few |
| something that takes no thought and is | | | | magazines, a bit of fabric, some of the "quilting |
| expected....gets you out of a pickle but the impact | | | | lingo" and the rest unravelled.One final tip...Give the |
| is: "oh, gee thanks."The trick is not in the theme, | | | | Party / Occasion a Name.Create an identity that |
| it's in the party theme planning.I am not talking | | | | can be talked about later on.Instead of:"er...yes, I |
| about extravaganzas and high society bashes. | | | | recall Bob's 35th ..sort of..pub-thing with cowboy |
| Those are the domain of the J-Lo type Party | | | | hats or something...."How about:"... Of course I |
| Planners -- remember dear Jen in the Wedding | | | | remember "Top Dog Bob and the Bandits Where |
| Planner? -- who are radio mic'd up to the armpits | | | | all us guys got to be cowboys at a steak bar, |
| and even have the bugs in the hedge | | | | hog-tie Bob to a table and tell him how much of a |
| choreographed. | | | | friend he'd been to us? Oh, yeah! All the while we |
| Not them. You. Good old you at work, you at | | | | drank snake-bite juice -- green colored beer --, |
| home you who have real people for family and | | | | ate prairie dog vomit -- mini pizzas -- and cheered |
| friends and would love to do something different | | | | when they brought out the Rattle Snake cake. |
| for them. A simpler party theme planning | | | | We sang C & W songs and howled at the moon |
| approach is the go.Some considerations | | | | on the way home."Party Theme Planning Stats:1 |
| include:The B-day personWhat do they like? Think | | | | Theme, 1 Name, 7 Idea elements, and in 2-3hrs |
| of the impact on them.Reasons for having a | | | | you have wonderful set of memories..and a |
| ThemeWhy? Milestone to remember? Whatever | | | | frightened moon.Maybe it's a guy thing... but, can |
| the reason, be clear about it.Your skills and | | | | you see the difference?Remember to plan well |
| resourcesAre you ready to put your ALL into | | | | partners. It shows thought, was not expected |
| this? | | | | and was how people were won over into using |
| What do you have or can do that will make it | | | | themes.Yee-haa!Neal Lohse is the author of Best |
| work?Time to deliveryWhat's this like? If the time | | | | Birthday Party Idea.comHe describes himself is a |
| is short, reduce the number of theme elements | | | | Happy Person, Loving Spouse, Cool-Dad, Business |
| (ideas) or bring in more help.Help Needed to pull it | | | | Coach, Author, Corporate Philosopher, Event |
| offDon't do it solo. Get others to help you.Little | | | | Designer, Education Facilitator, |
| TouchesPeople remember details important to | | | | cook-washer-cleaner ...and is in love with a |
| them. Add small personal touches that link in with | | | | mountain-bike and a pair hiking boots.The planning |
| the theme. A party theme planning MUST have! It | | | | tips and suggestions come from his personal and |
| reduces cost and builds impact.CostMany theme | | | | working experience. |