Make your next luncheon fun with a theme, like a luau.
Luncheons can be a fun and convenient way to celebrate engagements, pregnancies, retirements, promotions and a variety of other celebratory events. Luncheons are great weekday events which, when planned over the lunch hour, can be easily attended by co-workers. Luncheons can also be perfect weekend parties for parents with young children or fun get-togethers for parents who stay at home with their kids or for people who are older and no longer have to work. Start planning your fun luncheon today by settling on a theme that ties your party together.
Instructions
1. Select a theme for your luncheon. Think of something lighthearted and relaxing like a beach luau or something upbeat and energetic like an 80s dance party. Tailor your theme to the person or event being celebrated.
2. Create invitations and send them four to six weeks before the luncheon is to be held, which gives your guests time to arrange their schedules so they can attend. Include the date, time, place and theme on your invitations. Provide an email address or phone number for guests to RSVP to about one or two weeks before the luncheon.
3. Once you know how many people are planning to attend, decide what type of food and drinks you will serve. Prepare a menu that fits within your budget and your theme. If you are planning a beach themed luau, for example, and have $500 to feed 25 people, you will need to keep your catering costs to $20 per person. Offer meat and meatless entrees with a variety of sides such as salads and chips or snacks as well as water, juice, soda and tea for drinks.
4. Purchase or make your own decorations to fit your theme. Remember that decorations do not have to be elaborate or expensive to communicate your theme effectively. Outfit a beach themed luncheon with a few blow-up beach balls, plastic leis and miniature umbrellas along with maraschino cherries for the drinks. Fit each table with a short glass or plastic vase filled with sand, shells and tea-light candles. Bring a CD player or portable MP3 player with speakers to the luncheon site and play island-themed music with Caribbean steel drums and other tropical sounds.
5. Plan an order for your luncheon. Plan out the time you have to give structure to your luncheon. Start with a welcome to guests and time to allow guests to get food. While guests are eating, especially if you have only an hour or so for your luncheon, play a group game together such as themed bingo or, if time and personalities warrant it, hook up a karaoke machine and have an open mic for guests to perform.
Tags: your luncheon, your theme, beach themed, before luncheon, guests time, luncheon with