List of things to do fro a birthday party

for maniacs of perfection or absent-minded people

A month before

- Set place, time and theme of the party. If you decide not to hold the party at home, book a place in some pub, restaurant or similar as soon as possible.
- Think about food. Decide whether to prepare a meal or ask guests to help with food and beverages.
- Prepare a list of those invited and send invitations by mail or e-mail. If the party is a surprise, remember to make this known to all.

One or two weeks before

- Prepare a shopping list. Remember to include throw-away plates and cups, decorations, batteries for the camera and gifts.
- Contact by phone or e-mail invitees who have not confirmed. Review the details of travel for those coming from afar.
- Begin to prepare the decorations and gifts. If possible, prepare the food for the lunch/dinner/buffet and deep-freeze it.

Two or three days before

- Buy everything you need, except fresh food. If possible, ask friends to keep in the refrigerator a part of drinks bottles.
- Check the recipes, and define a ladder for the preparation of foods.
- Check batteries and memory of the camera. Take some trial photo to verify that the camera works correctly.

The day before

- Ensure the cleanliness and the establishment of the space where the party will be held. Hang decorations and think about the parking and cloakroom for guests.
- Unfreeze all that you have prepared in advance and purchase fresh food.
- Run the latest audits of the entertainment devices (for example, verify that stereo system works).
- Wrap gifts and write the greeting cards.

The big day

- Tuck away valuable or fragile things.
- Give the finishing touches to decorations and a last clean to the place.
- Finish preparing the meal, if possible washing dishes, pots and a stove while you are cooking.
- Put in cooler drinks and prepares snacks.
- Finally, no panic! Take a few minutes to relax before starting off the party.