Start with a Theme
This will help set the mood for the party, making it easy to decide what kind of decorations to put up, what to set out for snacks and what games to play. Pick a theme that you can find on notebooks, pencils and school accessories. It’s a great year for throwing a superhero party!
Finalize the Guest List
Do you want this to be a small party with your child’s closest friends? Or a neighborhood bash to send everyone off right? Figure out how large you want the party to be, then start working on who is invited. Don’t forget to let parents and siblings know whether they’re invited, too. This handy chart tells you how much food to serve.
Send the Party Invitations
Keeping your theme in mind, pick up invitations and get them on their way. Use the RSVP to find out if there are allergies among your guests. Knowing about dietary restrictions will help you refine your menu (though it’s always a good idea to have a few vegetarian and gluten-free food options).
Pick out Your Back-to-School Party Decorations
The joy of planning a party in advance is that you have time to find party decorations that suit your theme. Amazon is a great place to start—if you’re throwing a Star Wars party, you can pick up character masks, an inflatable Death Star and even little lightsabers to top your cupcakes.
Stock up on Forks and Plates
You’ll need enough plates, cups, silverware and napkins for all your guests. You can head back to Amazon and get more on-brand serving supplies for the party, or you can pick up disposable sets from Target. If your party is small—and you find washing dishes therapeutic—you could use your own plates and forks.
Decide on the Back-to-School Party Food
Your back to school party won’t be an elaborate dinner party, so look for easy party food to satisfy a crowd. You’ll want finger foods to serve as snacks, a main meal that’s both tasty and healthy and a dessert that requires minimal effort to serve.
Check out 50 of our favorite party dishes to get inspiration.
Don’t Forget Goodie Bags!
As you’re picking up decorations, don’t forget to grab some easy giveaways to hand out as your guests take off. Make them school-related—like themed pencils, erasers and notebooks that will be fun to use in the classroom. We love the idea of making back-to-school survival kits, too.
Plan Fun Back-to-School Activities
Consider setting out a craft that guests can take with them back to school, like making paper book covers, decorating pen holders or another DIY project. Pick a craft that’s easy to explain so you can sit back and only help as needed.
Enlist a Helper for the Day
There are a million things to do when hosting a party. Find a friend, an older sibling, a babysitter—anyone who would be willing to come by for a few hours to help keep an eye on kids, serve food or otherwise lend a hand. Don’t forget to give them a thank-you gift (or if you hire a babysitter, some cold, hard cash).
Enjoy the Party!
Once the party is here, it’s time to sit back and have some fun. You’ll be in hostess mode, but don’t forget to stop and take pictures, learn about your kids’ friends and enjoy how much fun they’re all having.
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The post How to Host an Epic Back-to-School Party appeared first on Taste of Home.
Kate Ellsworth