Perfect Birthday SupplyWhat are the Top 20 Items Needed?Perfect Birthday Supply. The average birthday party requires about 20 different supplies. Use our Top 20 List to be more informed on how many and what you need. The perfect birthday supply list focuses on the theme of the party, the number, age and relationship of the people invited, and stays within your budget Just as the oyster starts as a grain of sand - an irritation - to the oyster, the mundane listing, counting, and shopping for party supplies is an irritation. The typical sources are your own pantry, local grocery store, department store, or party store.
Each item on the list needs your full attention to plan consistently and with the theme in mind for your perfect birthday supply. Use the following basic list as the framework for adding the theme and activities to say Happy Birthday in a unique and special way. Record in your composition notebook your choices for color, theme, etc. next to each item. Give yourself alternatives to make the shopping easier and less stressful.
Top 20 Supply ListUsing your composition notebook, plan the perfect birthday supply list as you read about the items needed for a Happy Birthday celebration.
1. InvitationsThe first item in the perfect birthday supply list is the invitations!Invitations may range from formal to traditional to make and mail your own to an informal email. Select the invitations for the type of party you are giving. For example, if it is a dinner party, you may want to order personalized invitations for the event. If this is a special occasion, such as a decade marker, 10, 20, 30 and so on, you may want to take care to have the invitations be memorable and special. If the invitation is for less formal dinner party, mail the invitation with more details on time of arrival, cocktails (if included) and the time that dinner will be served. Without these specifics, some people may interpret that they may arrive anytime before the end of the Happy Birthday celebration.
2. Postage Stamps Related to the ThemeThe US Postal Service has thousands of postage stamps for your perfect birthday supply of theme stamps. Plan in advance or visit this WEB site to see what is available for Happy Birthday themes.
See postage stamps at United States Postal System
3. CakePlease see this site for more details on how to plan the birthday cake.Include in your perfect birthday supply list the number of people it needs to serve, where it will be purchased or made, the flavor, the theme of the birthday cake decorations and the filling. All true Happy Birthday Cakes have a surprise filling.
4. TableclothsBirthday parties require tablecloths so include in your perfect birthday supply list how many and what kind of cloths are needed: linen, plastic or paper?Select the cloth most appropriate for the theme and how the party food will be served. Paper theme tablecloths may be mixed with linen or plastic cloths as accents or to make the festivities more colorful. Use on the gift table a plain white cloth - this will make the gift wrap and ribbons stand out. Use theme decorations that include Happy Birthday wishes with tablecloths on the appetizer or snack table and on the table or counter where drinks will be served.
5. Napkins - Large and smallSmall napkins are all you will need if you are only serving snacks, drinks and cake, however if you are serving dinner you will require large napkins too.For small napkin quantity, multiple the number of guests by three or four. Theme Parties often use the theme in the cocktail napkins. Have fun looking in party stores for the perfect birthday supply for napkins, plates and decorations. For example, if you have 20 guests and are serving dinner, have 60 small napkins (multiplied by 3) and 40 large paper napkins (multiplied by 2)or 20 large line napkins. Another example, if you have 20 guests and are only serving snacks, have 80 small napkins and no large napkins. Place the small napkins on the tables where appetizers, drinks and birthday cake are served. Do not place them all out at once. Reserve 25 for the birthday cake service.
6. Plates - Large and smallParty plates may be your best china, everyday dishes, odd plates picked up as discontinued patterns, overstocked and clearance plates, or from swap-meets, yard sales, and antique shops for your perfect birthday supply of plates.If you like to give parties for 12 to 20 people, buy from 12-24 dinner plates and 24-36 small plates for the purpose of throwing a party. In the long run, it will save you money and give you more comfort each time to know that the plates are already on-hand. If you have limited space, also buy dish storage boxes and keep them under the bed or spare closet. You will always be ready to throw a Happy Birthday party. Paper and plastic plates are acceptable for parties, but china, porcelain, or unbreakable plates are better. For paper or plastic have 2 times the number of guests for large plates and three times the number of guests for small plates.
7. UtensilsLet's work backwards on planning utensils.First, you will be serving cake and will need a fork per person. So if you have 20 guests, you will need 20 forks for cake. If you are also serving dinner, you will need 20 forks for dinner. If you are serving appetizers or snacks, you will need 20 forks for appetizers. Add an additional 10 forks for lost, broken, or second servings. So for a party of 20, you will need 70 forks at a minimum. Spoons are only needed for soups, coffee or tea. If you are having 20 guests, plan on 20 spoons for soup and 20 for coffee or tea. You probably will not use all the spoons unless you have a formal dinner party and place settings. Knives are needed to cut meat and for butter or condiment spreading. If you have 20 guests and are serving meat that needs to be cut, plan on 20 knives for meat and 20 knives for condiments. In most cases, they will be the same knife. You will need 30 knives at a minimum to cover lost or misplace utensils for the casual dinner.
8. Glasses and CupsAs guests mingle, glasses and cups get confused, then a guest reaches for a fresh glass or cup. This is usually not a problem for formal dinner because the guests will be seated first.It is a good idea to make plans to identify glasses and cups in advance. Drink identifiers are a must for the perfect birthday supply list. For example, there are wine glass tokens that are on rings that slip around the stem of the glass with a different token for each guest. Personalized tokens may be made in advance with jewelry wire, clips and alphabet beads. Make rings with the guest’s initials that slip onto the stem. The guests take this home as a favor! If you are using paper or plastic cups, have a permanent marker available for writing the person's name on the glass or cup. The quantity of glasses and cups may be calculated by having 2 to 3 glasses for each guest and 1 cup for each guest. For example, provide 2 glasses per person during the cocktail hour and additional glasses needed at the place setting for wine and water. 9. Decorations: lights, flags, candles, flowersThe decorations follow the theme of the Happy Birthday party and can be the most fun to prepare and are a necessity for the perfect birthday supply list.In advance of the party, verify that lights work and that flowers and candles are planned.
Click here for ideas on theme colors and more!
Another example, sprinkle the table tops with colored stones used in flower bowls, such as red, white and blue stones. Make a center piece for each table with white and red carnations with a blue ribbon.
10. HatsBirthday hats may be elaborate, feathered party hats, like the Madi Gras hats, personalized baseball caps, or simple for children's birthdays.If you are having an outdoor party, ask the guests to wear a hat! Ask the women to wear sun hats, fancy or not. Ask the men to wear their favorite hat. Remember that wearing hats indoors are poor etiquette for men and women! However, outdoor parties may be more fun with the right hat!
11. ShirtsThe shirt represents the guest’s attire. In the invitation inform the guests of any special dress requirements for clothing or shoes.If you are planning an outdoor event, the shirts may be on the perfect birthday supply list. Personalized T-shirts are popular and may be one of the best party favors for younger guests. They can be ordered in the theme colors, have the event or guests name on the shirt, and be more useful than most other favors. If you are planning on providing a shirt for the golf, basketball or fishing event, be sure to allow 2 months for delivery and to get the correct sizes of each guest.
12. SnacksSnacks are a required item if you are serving alcoholic beverages.The perfect birthday supply list includes a detail list of specific snacks, such as salsa and chips, three cheeses, antipasto, and vegetables with veggie dip. Details are important, so at the last minute a snack is not forgotten or does not conflict with the overall theme. Also if the party is near mealtime, you may want to have a few snacks to for the guests that must eat on time, such as diabetics. Please see this site for more details on how to plan the: 13. BeveragesThe perfect birthday supply list includes beverages for all age groups.Include water in the beverages available to guests. If you are serving traditional cocktails, wine or beer, have a designated space for all utensils, glasses, ice and napkins away from the appetizers, food and coffee or tea. A separate table, counter or movable bar works well for this purpose. This will help with the clean up and minimize congestion around the other tables. Take care to keep alcoholic beverages out of reach of underage minors. This is the responsibility of the host and hostess. In advance place many drink coasters on furniture so the guests will have a coaster to use. 14. FoodParty food may be elegant, gourmet dinners, or simple meals, or just snacks. It depends on your budget and the help required to offer the food to all guests at approximately the same time.Be aware of your guest’s dietary concerns and have a variety available for everyone to enjoy. If you are serving a meal, plan on minimally three courses: appetizer, meat with vegetable, and desert. Some parties also include the salad and soup courses. Please include the freshest bread available.
15. Music and danceNo other element has greater influence on the party!No other element has greater influence on the party! There are many musicians who make money on the week-end by playing for private parties. Ask around if anyone would recommend someone for your party. If you have friends or family who play an instrument, ask them to bring them when you send out the invitations. DJs with CDs are very nice for a party. If you plan to provide your own music, plan the songs in advance and make CDs for the party. You can download theme music or favorite songs to a CD and present it to the honoree as a present and momento of the party.
16. FavorsThe reason party favors are included in the perfect birthday supply list is that they are a matter of budget, theme and usefulness to the guests.Guests love party favors! Children expect a party favor and simple games or puzzles make the party last until days after for them. Coloring books and crayons make an excellent favor for children. Adults love personalized items, such as hats, shirts, bags, etc. There are wineries that make personalized wine bottles for all occasions.
17. Bathroom hand towelsPlace disposable hand towels in bathrooms for your guests. They will also appreciate hand lotion and anti-bacterial lotion.
18. Mailbox decorationsIf you are having the party at home, place balloons, streamers, or flowers on the mailbox.It helps identify your home and add to the festivities! You can also use flags, lights or large character figures keeping with the theme.
19. Front door decorationsThe door decorations should have the honoree's name and a greeting to the guests.Door decorations may be posters, flowers, or ribbons and streamers.
20. Games and Craft ActivitiesThe reason games and crafts are included in perfect birthday supply list is that ticket and material availability is critical.Birthday games and crafts are a form of entertainment and of birthday presents. A golf match for a golfer's birthday, a professional basketball game for a basketball fan, a horse show for an equestrian... Check local, state and national event calendars for events near you. For children, there are science museums, amusement parks and movies. Always try the event before the party to be sure it is what you expect.
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