Party Proofing Your House

The concept of party proofing might seem like an odd concept, but it’s something you can reap the rewards from. No one likes to survey the damage after hosting a party and see irreparably damaged items or furniture, so taken preventative measures ensures you will remember the night fondly rather than with anger.

When people party, they’re clumsy – even if they have the very best intentions, and the utmost respect for their host. This is all the more true if alcohol is added into the equation, and is something a party host should expect. Do not be surprised if you do not party-proof and then find yourself the morning after sobbing over a smashed family heirloom.

Thankfully, party planning is not particularly difficult. The rule is simple: survey each room that will be opened up to guests, look at each item and ask yourself: “would I be upset if that got broken?”. If the answer is yes, move the item to either the attic or a locked door, out of harm’s way.

Furniture is a trickier issue, as few of us can move our sofas into the attic. If you are having a rather informal party, it may be worth considering plastic sheeting for the sofa just for the duration of the party. Other options include throws and blankets, which can most up the worst of any staining.

Finally, unless an electrical appliance will be used during the party (such as the stereo), unplug it. Guests may trip over wires and harm themselves and your home, so try and keep trailing wires to a minimum.

How Correct Lighting Can Make A Party Perfect

If you are having your party at night – as most are – then one area you should spend particular time focusing on is the lighting. In a naturally darkened room, the correct lighting is often so crucial to dictating the mood and feel of a party. You need to walk a difficult line between making sure everyone can see each other and what they’re doing but at the same time, allowing the lighting to be ambient enough to create a mood.

Options for lighting include candles, colored light bulbs and spotlights – all of which can be achieved easily on a budget.

Candles –

Space candles around a room, and test out the positioning prior to the party’s commencement. Ensure candles are placed as high up as possible, so they are less likely to be knocked over. Buy a small household fire extinguisher just in case the worst should happen, or insert a glass over each candle for an extra effect. Secure with tape if you’re particularly concerned.

Colored Bulbs –

Available to buy online and at most hardware stores, colored bulbs instantly change the look and feel of a room. Insert colored bulbs into existing light sockets and use sparingly. Try to avoid red, due to its “ladies of the night” connotations, though!

Spotlights –

You can buy stick-and-click spotlights for a couple of dollars, and can then easily create a soft light ambiance which nevertheless provides enough light to be practical. Simply remove the sticky backing from the light, insert batteries and then press the light against the wall – it can then be clicked on and off, and you can add more lights to areas (such as the kitchen) that require extra lighting.

Home Made Paper Decorations Tips

A quick, efficient and cost-effective way of decorating a room for a party is to make paper decorations. These can take the form of lantern-esque shapes, cut out shapes placed together on a string and hung – or even perhaps a return to the simple paper chain. You’ll need to spend a little time putting the decorations together and hanging them, but you nevertheless can achieve a nice party feel without spending a fortune.

One thing to remember when it comes to making paper decorations is that the quality of the paper has a huge effect on the overall outcome. If you use cheap and flimsy paper that is poorly dyed, it is unlikely – no matter how crafty you are – that the decorations will look anything other than cheap and quickly put together. Rather than making many, many decorations with your budget, focus on making several very good decorations – the total effect is much more aesthetically pleasing.

You can buy properly colored or tinted paper at craft stores or online. For your main decoration – such as a banner – use thick cardboard, or linen paper if making paper chains. The heavier the paper, the better the decoration will look and hang once affixed to a ceiling or wall.

It is also worth investing in an invisible form of adhesive, such as a glue stick which becomes clear when dry or craft double-sided tape. This will help eliminate the visibility of the joins in a paper decoration, which in turn will make the decoration look more professional and expensive.

Combine the two – invisible adhesive and heavy, quality paper – and you could soon have a set of home made party decorations to be proud of.