Party planning takes a lot of energy. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of perfectionism with everything from picnics to zombie prom birthday parties. We’ve compiled a list of tips to alleviate some of the anxiety associated with hosting the perfect event.

Plan in advance!: Make checklists. Break your responsibilities into manageable goals. Be sure to be honest with yourself and only take on what you can manage.

Themes!: We love theme parties. Themes do a lot of work for you! If you’re planning a J.D. Salinger-themed party, have everyone wear dark blue blazers (with lapel pockets for their candy cigarettes), serve Tom Collins, and play Rummy as a party game. (No fights over who gets to be Holden Caulfield!)

Hors d’Oeuvres: Great way to keep the party moving (not to mention less to coordinate!). If you’re cooking for your own guests, try to make some dishes that can be made the day before the party and reheated in the oven. Keep things simple–a theme can help reign in your kitchen ambition here–and self-serve means you don’t have to wrangle folks into the dining room at dinnertime!

Simplify Drinks: Have a self-serve bar! It’s fun to let guests play mixologist (and impress their dates). Pick a couple of simple, crowd-pleasing cocktails, make recipe cards, and stock the bar accordingly. For a more DIY approach, have guests bring ingredients to make their favorite cocktails for a mixed drink potluck!

Get Help: If you’re driving yourself crazy with lists and details, don’t hesitate to get yourself some support! Hire an event planner and let Greenvelope help with your guest list and invitation design. We love to help our customers plan & host the most successful event possible!

Just think how satisfying enjoying your own party is! Not only do you get to spend time with friends & family and leave worries at the door, but you get to soak up all the heartfelt compliments.

Check out our entertaining collection for more inspiration!