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