An effective party planner will tend to the guests' diverse needs and wishes.
As an activity director, you're responsible for selecting a range of activities and amusements that complement the interests and needs of the people you serve. When planning a party, an activity director at a nursing home can draw on residents' memories of bygone times. Activity directors at camps or after-school programs must plan gatherings that will engage children and keep them busy. In either situation, planning a party isn't difficult, as long as you know what will please partygoers and, if possible, involve them in the preparations.
Pick a Creative Theme
If you're the activity director at a nursing home, your residents probably have already gone to a number of walk-down-memory-lane parties. When you're planning a party, make the walk a blast. Transform the cliche into a memorable event by adding a jolt of creativity and focus. Instead of a generic 1950s party, make it a jukebox sock hop. Create a play list of classic songs and decorate the venue like a diner.
If you're planning a party for children, make a generic party something special. For example, how about making a pirate party a Bluebeard's Bash?
Involve the Guests
Whatever the theme of your party, you'll generate enthusiasm if you involve your guests from the beginning. When you send out the invitations, ask guests to help. For example, if you're throwing a party for someone, ask your guests to contribute an anecdote or a photograph. Assemble these in an album before the party. Let the guests peruse the album, and at some point during the celebration, present it to the guest of honor. If you're concerned about overtaxing your guests, you don't need to ask them to do anything. For almost any theme, you can provide some small, related accessory for the guests to wear. If you send out a novelty like a hat, you might even use it as the invitation itself, writing all the details on the inside.
Vary the Activities
Anyone, particularly children, appreciate a party that's planned with a range of activities. For example, guests enjoy a wedding party where the activity flows from cocktails and mingling to a seated dinner and then high-energy dancing.
If you're planning a party for very young children, you'll need to change activities more frequently. To keep the children from becoming bored and distracted, plan a party that lasts no more than two hours. Be flexible in your party timetable, as each group of children will vary in its likes and dislikes. But as a general rule, keep each activity or game under half an hour.
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