ABOUT THE BOOK It’s party time! Well, it’s “party time” for everyone else; it’s probably “super-stress time” for you, the party planner. There’s so much to do: invitations, food, theme, decorations, setting, activities, party favors, thank-you notes...the list goes on. This guide will take you through planning a party for a kid, a teenager, and an adult, as well as give you a heads-up in what to expect from each age group. This guide will also suggest some food, drink, and activity ideas to get every party started—and keep ‘em rolling. You’re giving a party for a specific person with their own preferences, so it’s best to tailor the theme, food, and atmosphere to that individual’s personality. MEET THE AUTHOR Lily is super-duper close to completing her Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Oxford. She also has a rather non-lucrative Master of Fine Arts in poetry. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK Now on to the fun part: picking a theme. There are so many themed kits out there, from pirates to princesses to “Pink Poodle in Paris,” that you can be sure you’ll have all the necessary accoutrements to make your party très chic. The invitations will set the tone, so be sure to make them as colorful and exciting as possible. Many websites offer free or inexpensive “print-your-own” invitations—you just type or write in the date, time, and address. Other sites allow you to upload your own images onto high-quality cardstock that they’ll print and send to you. As for decor, you can go do-it-yourself or store-bought; whichever is easier. Let’s say you’re planning a Batman-themed party. It’s easy to stencil and cut out the Batman symbol in different sizes using black and yellow construction paper, and you can blow up black, yellow, and white balloons to display around the room. If your son or daughter (why not?) wants to dress up, there are tons of Batman costumes available. For party favors, you can tie each balloon to a Batman action figure that each kid can bring home with them. And there’s a lot to be said for Batman cupcake toppers. Buy a copy to keep reading!