If you are reading this blog, chances are that perfectly decorated cupcakes make your knees weak. I’m willing to bet that personalized party favors make you swoon. And I can almost guarantee that a perfectly themed party with all the right decorations would just basically make your year.
So I am going to tell you something that may blow your mind.
I hosted a luncheon in honor of little O last week and I didn’t plan a theme or worry about decorations, or even make special coordinating food items.
The luncheon was held at my condo’s clubhouse. The great room that we were using had windows that looked into the pool area and there were unattractive people in bathing suits standing right in front of those windows, and I couldn’t shut the blinds.
We didn’t decorate the great room beyond putting white disposable tablecloths on the tables and sprinkling each table with blue and silver Hershey kisses.
For the meal, we set out the fixings for turkey sandwiches: Sliced rolls, assorted cheeses from Costco, turkey breast, tomatoes and lettuce, and mayo and mustard. I asked my siblings and Mike’s siblings to either bring a salad or a plate of cookies. Drinks were an assortment of sodas, served directly from the 2-liter bottles.
The numerous children who were there were able to run around the great room, or run outside in a gated playground.
There was no theme.
There were no cupcakes.
There were no invitations or special stationery of any kind.
And you know what? There was no stress, and we didn’t break the bank for the event.
Those in attendance were friends and family. We were able to visit with them and everyone had a chance to see little O. I was able to enjoy everyone’s company because I wasn’t stressed out and I wasn’t exhausted. And I think that it’s safe to say that everyone had a nice time and enjoyed a nice meal. The party was exactly what it should have been. It was a great success!
{People enjoying themselves and visiting with Little O.}
So I just want to suggest that sometimes it’s okay to throw a party that isn’t going to be published in a magazine. Not every event warrants the whole themed shebang. It’s okay to just get together with friends and family and enjoy food together without focusing on every tiny detail. I subscribe to several design blogs in my google reader and I see what other people are doing and the cute/awesome/perfect/amazing parties that they’re throwing. I see lots of great DIY ideas for hosting memorable events. And I really love the ideas. I love the pictures that I see of these parties. But I also value keeping things real. I value living within my means and this time, I chose not to put any undo stress on myself or others in trying to pull together a picture-perfect party.
What are your thoughts or feelings about this? Do you sometimes feel like you have to live up to the best-of images that you see online? Do you feel the drive to put on something that is going to wow everyone? Does putting together the perfect party stress or energize you? What have you done that works for you?
I feel pressure. I put it on myself I think, but I always end up exhausted, swearing I’ll never to it again. I need to do it Alma style. :)
I agree! As much as I love oohing and ahhing over beautifully planned parties, the stress for me is too much and I have found that if everyone is happy and getting along and enjoying one another’s company, then I have had a successful party.
When people get invited over to our house they know we’ll eat and have something chocolate for dessert and it will be loud and at least one child will at some point be naked. They still come over.
I love for things to be cute, but I care more about eating good food and visiting with friends to only have people over when I can make things spectacular.
This is a nice reminder. We went to a birthday party for a three year old yesterday and I felt so bad for the mom because she wanted everything to be perfect but her daughter was bawling her eyes out when it was picture time. Too much pressure!
I firmly believe everyone has a better time when things are kept simple. Especially the host. Nobody has fun when the host is stressed out.
I must say that I love throwing a good party. It energizes me and I love seeing the final product. However, I do agree with you. Not EVERY party needs to be spectuacular, and more often than not, the memorable things I take away from a great party are usually about the guests.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
With my background, I feel like I always have to have things looking pretty and beautiful. I swoon over friends’ decked-out parties and creative budget parties, but really, creating a themed event on a budget is hard and stressful. And then I wonder if people really even remember what I went to all those hours of prep for.
Mostly, I make sure the food is good and I invite fun people. The rest is just details that I’ll worry about when I have more money and when I’m done with school!
This is such a refreshing read. THANK YOU! We just had one birthday party (theme, cupcakes, scheduled activities, super cool cake and 10 little kids running rampant) and I am POOPED! But… there’s another birthday in a couple weeks and I needed to read this! I am just going to not stress about it. (Especially since it’s a 3rd birthday) I will make a cool cake, because I actually enjoy that kind of thing, but I will do all the hard parts weeks or days in advance and won’t worry too much about it on the day of.
I don’t feel pressure by anyone but myself. Why????? Because I know I CAN do it? And should, if I can? Perhaps. but it is just NOT worth all the emotional uproar that goes along with it. I want to actually enjoy my child on their next birthday.
Thanks again.
I keep my parties simple but I like having one or two cute details… moderation is always a good thing. I have also noticed that a lot of people don’t even notice a lot of things that I gave myself so much trouble for. I guess that I would do more for an “adult”party (anniversary, wedding…) than for a kid’s party. They are happy with so little!
I applaud you for seeing the beauty in both kinds of parties. I’ve done them both and I keep changing my mind about which one I like better!
We throw outdoor parties quite often and I have found that instead of stressing out over each get-together, I keep the basics on hand…you know, styrofoam plates, plastic cups, etc. and ask everyone invited to participate in bringing food. All of our friends now know that we will provide the meat if they bring a side dish. It works out great. No one is stressed. I don’t have to rush around before the party to get the needed items…and the food is always delicious!