Partied Out

Okay so i haven't posted any tips in a while - let's just say that I am partied out... from hosting out of town guests, to family reunion for me and 150+ of my closest relatives, to a scavenger hunt party, to a baby shower - I am just so pleased to have a weekend without any party commitments to myself...I don't even have a party to plan in the horizon. But there are a few parties for me to attend to continue in my quest for collecting the most unique party ideas.

so here's a wrap-up to the last few events I've had a hand in planning:

Hosting out of towners
1. Make the experience memorable - have a unique welcome gift for them, or plan to take them somewhere they've never been.
2. Help Guide them - create a passport of activities that might interest them - leave the "social" calendar for them - like a copy of the Honolulu Advertiser TGIF, the Midweek Calendar or the Honolulu weekly.
3. Plan a few meals "out" to give your kitchen a break.
4. Stress that you aren't a hotel - and ask for your guests to help out around the house - cleaning, cooking, caring= NOT crazy!
5. Transportation - secure or be sure they secure adequate transportation - being host doesn't mean having to commit to being chauffeur too.

Family Reunions Do's & Dont's
1. DO Have a planning committee and delegate out tasks
2. DO be sure to check rules on outside beverages or cocktail service for dinners and meals.
3. DO have a contingency plan for activities and schedules
4. DO ensure that people know their responsibilities
5. DO have a homebase for reunion attendees to gather and get information about the week/weekend activities
6. DON'T have programs planned that last for more than 2 hours - think about it people go to a 1.5hr movie and they are entertained. a 2 hr movie - maybe a stretch, a 3 hour movie and it better have been rivetting or else - so Five hours of "talent show" entertainment and "walks down memory lane" are a bit MUCH. Make that a 1/2 hour if kids are involved. create 1/2 hour blocks of experiences to help keep their attention moving from one activity to another - We really could have benefited from a jumper rental in the evening - during the "Luau" program for the kids to be occupied while the adults enjoyed the festivities inside.
7. DON'T have formal photo taking in the sun. Especially if small children are involved. Babies get overheated in 10-15 minutes. There should have been coolers of water if being in the sun was our only choice.
8. DON'T lose track of your children. This creates undue stress on all parties involved.
9. DON'T do raffles at a formal program - save this kind of thing for more casual atmosphere.
10. DON'T save the best for last - reunions out to be a top down type of activity with the best activities at the start of the reunion - when people are excited and open to it with their attention - by the end - people are tired - family rivalries and personalities may have come out - and everyone is usually just plain scattered...Have things like the elders sharing moolelo at the beginning - this will start other conversations and make for a more memorable time together.

Watch for tips on creating a scavenger hunt activity and more baby shower tips - COMING SOON!

Okay this morning I discovered a wonderful site called Anytimegrinds it has great information about eateries, sorted and searchable by cuisine and location locally here in Hawaii...thre are even menus and many of the listed restaurants offer catering services...a good starting ground for planning your party menu.