How To Make Your Next Birthday Party Amazing
Birthday parties are celebrations we look forward to every year for special friends, family, co-workers and the other VIPs in our lives. They dot the calendar like holidays that we plan for, and for many people someone’s birthday could be THE big event of the entire year.
Whether it’s a sweet 16 or a decade-long milestone, birthdays are always a wonderful way to bring people together and make lasting memories.
For that reason, it’s good to have a plan in place that helps guide you through preparations of having a successful and amazing event.
We’ve put together a list of 10 must-have items that we believe will help you get started on the path to hosting the ultimate birthday party for yourself or someone very special!
1. Food Service
No matter how much of an effort you put into the décor and ambiance, the food is always one of the main highlights at a party.
Since most birthday parties tend to be casual side, having a proper food display and service is essential so your guests can see what’s being served and enjoy at their leisure. Equipment such as heated chafers, punch bowls or fountains, serving trays are all highly popular rental items.
2. Table Decorations
Empty tables can look a little uninspired but create a great opportunity to spice things up with decorations like flower arrangements, candles, LED lighted objects or gift boxes filled with sweets.
For themed parties, table decorations another way to add continuity to the theme. So, for example, a 70’s disco theme party could make use of lava lamps or mini mirror balls.
Be creative and have fun with it!
3. Tables & Chairs
The question of seating requirements for your birthday will depend on a few important factors. First, you’ll need to decide what type of food service is being planned. If it’s a full meal, then you will almost certainly need to accommodate seating for all your guests during the planned meal – whether it’s a lunch or dinner.
If this is the case, you’ll also need to know how many guests are attending so you have the correct number of tables and chairs available.
Next, you’ll need to choose the types of tables based on shape. Generally, your choices are round, square and rectangular. Part of that choice will be influenced by the size and shape of the room. The other part could be based on how you want to group people. Round tables, for example, can create a more intimate dynamic since everyone seated can make eye contact with each other.
Most importantly, you want your guests to feel comfortable, so it’s well worth the extra time to look at all the options available for tables and chairs as there are so many to choose from.
4. Decorative Backdrops
When you’re hosting a birthday party, a backdrop can help customize the theme. You can use a backdrop and panels to highlight the name of the birthday honoree, or fill an empty spot while providing an interesting background for taking photos.
5. Staging
If you plan on hiring a band or DJ for your party, you should also consider a stage rental. Not only will it provide a much-appreciated space for your entertainers to perform but you’ll also have a center of attention for toasting, roasting and making announcements. You can decorate the stage by adding balloons or other accoutrements to enhance the festive mood and theme.
6. Dance Floor
The fun factor for parties is often directly proportional to how much dancing is going on. Whether you plan for it or not, your guests may want to get down and boogie. Despite the old expression about “cutting a rug”, having a proper dance floor is really the only way to go. Not only is it easier to dance on but it gives a strong visual cue to your guests that dancing is encouraged.
7. Party Lighting
Good lighting is another essential element for any evening or indoor event – especially birthdays – and perhaps nothing else makes quite as big a visual impact on the guests.
Creative party lighting helps to imbue a festive atmosphere, and you can choose from a variety of colors, types, and styles. There are myriad lighting choices for both indoor and outdoor events depending on the mood or overtones you’re trying to create.
There are lights that are purely decorative, while others are designed for ambience. There’s lighting designed for staging, dancing, and spotlights for entertainment.
8. Party Furniture
For various reasons, party furniture rentals is an often overlooked and underrated item on many people’s party planning list. Possibly because many venues – whether homes or rented spaces – already have basic furnishings for social events and parties. However, nice party furniture is where you can really set your birthday bash apart from the ordinary.
Sofas, loveseats, ottomans, cocktail tables, lounge chairs, etc, can all add something very special for guests to relax, mingle and make themselves comfortable.
Another added benefit of renting is not having to worry about something bad happening to a piece of furniture you own, like a spilled drink or possibly worse. Your rental contract will include provisions for such situations, giving you one less thing to stress over. Not only that but you can be sure that the furniture will arrive freshly cleaned and beautiful condition for your guests to enjoy!
9. Portable Bars
It’s hard to imagine a birthday party – or any party for that matter – without beverages. And, if you plan on serving wine, beer, or spirits, then a portable bar should be on your list of party rental items.
A bar not only adds a touch of class to the occasion, but helps you to have a familiar and practical means of serving your guests whatever kind of beverage they’re in the mood for.
Portable bars can come in a variety of sizes and types depending on the theme or formality of the event.
10. Party Accessories
Sometimes the little things can make all the difference. Party rentals like a fog machines, bubble machines, popcorn poppers, snow cone machines, and other concessions can liven things up quite a bit, giving your guests even more entertainment options.
Why Renting Supplies for Birthday Parties is Better Than Buying
Party rentals for birthdays are great investment. Rather than buying lots of supplies and decorations you may only use once, you can simply rent an item for the time you’ll be needing it. This is especially true for more expensive equipment and furnishings.
Not only that, but a professional party rental company can deliver and set up your rental supplies based on the date, time and location that you need them! This saves a tremendous amount of worry and hassle when you have so many other things to think about on the day of the event.
Plan Ahead
One of the most important factors in planning a successful birthday party is to get started early!
It’s not unusual for some party rental items to get reserved many months in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to track down the items on your birthday party rental list. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to begin your preparations three to six months out.
This may seem early but just think of how much stress you’re going to eliminate by having all your rental items taken care of. Then, with all the big stuff out of the way, you can spend the remaining days or weeks before the party on finishing touches. Nice!
For more information on birthday party rentals and event planning, contact Stuart! We offer free consultations and one-stop shopping for thousands of party rental products and services for special events throughout the Bay Area and Northern California!
My colleague wants to throw a party to celebrate his niece’s birthday this year. I like how you suggested that he rent out a big table to handle her food and gifts during the event. Maybe they should try finding an event and party rental company around the area in the future.