| I would just like to explain the reason we decided to | | | | supply your own bubbly? If you are using a Hotel or |
| write the word 'Grown Ups' in inverted commas..... It | | | | Function Rooms in a Conference Centre as your |
| is simply because the majority of us are still children | | | | venue, can they offer a special discount on rooms |
| at heart. Ok, maybe we have jobs, driving licenses, | | | | for your Guests? It is always worth asking! |
| responsibilities and wrinkles, even children of our own, | | | | Birthday Presents for Grown Up Boys |
| but that doesnt mean that we dont | | | | and Grown Up Girls can be difficult to |
| like a good party!! | | | | choose. After all, as an adult, they can usually buy |
| First things first; what does the Birthday person like | | | | what they want/need thus giving the unanswerable |
| to do? If you are organizing a bash for your | | | | question of What do we give to the person |
| Grans 90th, a Bucking Bronco may not be the | | | | who has everything?. Small novelties and |
| top of her entertainment wish list, however watching | | | | jokes are always fun to exchange, and there are |
| a close up Magician, having her caricature drawn or | | | | many such novelties in the strictly adult only 18+ gift |
| swooning over a Rod Stewart look-a-like may be | | | | section. One idea is to club together with friends, or |
| more to her liking. | | | | if indeed you are the birthday person, to ask your |
| Murder Mystery Nights, Race Evenings or a Casino | | | | friends to club together to buy a Day Out |
| Night are usually brilliantly organized events, and | | | | such as 4x4 driving, a paint-balling, a spa pamper day, |
| enable everyone to don their glad-rags and mingle | | | | or indeed no gifts at all but instead a charity donation. |
| with other people. Music is always a good way to get | | | | Oxfam, [ have a brilliant site where you can buy a |
| your guests smiling and socializing, and the choices | | | | goat, donkey, safe water or a toilet for those in |
| offered are limitless; from good old Discos or | | | | need. |
| Karaoke through to the more sophisticated Pipers | | | | You may want to show a slide show of home |
| and Harpists. You could let your choice of music flow | | | | photographs through the ages, and |
| into the theme and atmosphere of your evening, for | | | | thus need relevant projectors etc
. You may |
| example, by having a Country & Western Band | | | | wish to permanently record the event for future |
| playing and asking your guests to dress appropriately | | | | bribery or even to view at a later date, in which case |
| for an evening of boot-scooting. For | | | | you may wish to search for a photographer or |
| real die-hard music lovers, there are some fabulous | | | | videographer
.. One thing that people do tend |
| tribute bands about, or bands who chose to only play | | | | to overlook is the morning after. Its never a |
| music from a specific generation. Personally, I | | | | good idea to be hovering and sweeping with a |
| dont know many people who have turned | | | | hangover, book someone else to take care of the |
| down an invite to a 70s party
.. any | | | | cleaning for you! |
| excuse to wear a wig, paisley waistcoat and flares. | | | | Why not end the evening with a bang |
| Obviously, at any Grown Up Party, | | | | firework displays are simply stunning and |
| there must be a constant supply of cool beverages; | | | | unforgettable, or for those with noise limitations, a |
| and dont forget soft drinks for the | | | | laser show can be equally as effective. Dont |
| designated drivers and under 18s. If your | | | | forget the little extras you may want as |
| venue doesnt have a Bar, Mobile Bars could | | | | keepsakes
for example printed t-shirts |
| be your answer. Some Caterers will include | | | | depicting the face of the Birthday Celebrity
. |
| beverages as part of their package, always ask for a | | | | And dont forget Thank You notes! |
| breakdown of their quotation. Will they provide table | | | | If all else fails, and you feel completely overwhelmed |
| linens and crockery, or is your venue primed to | | | | by the options that are laid out in front of you, take |
| supply these items, or do you need to source them | | | | the easy road
. Hire a |
| separately? If your venue is a Restaurant or Hotel, | | | | Party Planner! |
| will they charge a corkage fee if you choose to | | | | |