Party Tip #1: Location, Location, Location.

To plan a really great event you have to focus on something in particular, besides the wishes of the guest of honor. Once you figure that out, the rest usually falls right into place. If you want to plan an event without a lot of extra hands-on activity, you focus on location. With the right location, all you usually have to do is show up and have a great time.

Take a recent baby shower I helped plan. We had a small group of people and our mom-to-be had already had two family showers so we knew we wanted to do something a little less traditional. We also wanted it to be fairly straightforward and a little “city”. We landed at meeting for dinner at a restaurant.

It took awhile to figure out the location. I wanted there to be enough room for us and the gifts, but I didn’t want it to be crazy expensive, or at a place you’d need to do a package deal or anything like that. There are a million restaurants in Chicago and I just couldn’t settle on one that had the vibe I wanted.

And then E. and I hit upon it when eating at this great Chicago place that we love and always ask “why don‘t we come here more often?” every time we go. It’s totally local, serving really delicious organic food, and it’s all eclectic coffee house inside. Basically, it was perfect.

After that, everything fell right into place. Reservation in the back room with extra table for gifts, check. Delicious mac-n-cheese pre-ordered as starter for everyone, check (It’s a favorite of the mom-to-be and decidedly personal touch). Custom cake from local bakery ordered by the restaurant, check. All over email, all done in a matter of days.

Invitations were sent and then we basically just showed up. We added a few decorative touches, of course, but no one was running around that weekend making a diaper cake or canapés.

The best parties are where the guests get together and enjoy themselves, all while making the guest of honor feel special and loved. At this shower, I just put a fun group of her gal pals at the same table over great food in a cozy restaurant. And then I had them eat cake off of monkey plates.

Planning an event for someone doesn’t have to be stressful and time consuming, and it doesn’t mean you put any less of yourself into it if you didn’t hand paint the name tags. PARTY TIP #1: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Think about the kind of event you want to have. Find somewhere great to have it where you don’t have to fuss over all the details. Add a little whimsy with a gigantic monkey balloon.

You just planned the perfect party. You’re Welcome.