“Oh my gosh! How did you think of that?” It’s one of the questions I hear after parties sometimes, and it’s so sweet. But of course, parties don’t come to me full-blown. Creating the details is work, but I do have a trick to make it easier. Here’s how to brainstorm party ideas for your next party. (And P.S. you have great ideas of your own: Pinterest is not the only way to plan your party.)
This is an old brainstorming technique from my corporate days. It makes idea creation more visual and shows you the connections between your thoughts.
How does it work? I don’t really know. But it does work.
If you grab my free party planning cheat sheets, I’ve included a brainstorming template inside the cheat sheets. Plus you’ll get the worksheets I use to plan all my parties.
Here’s how to use my brainstorming technique.
1 – Draw a circle and write your party theme in the center.
Start in the center of a page with your party theme. Draw a circle around it. (Don’t ask me why.)
Then whenever the next thought occurs to you draw a line from your theme circle to your new idea.
2 – Connect the circle to your next idea.
If that idea gives you a related idea, connect the two thoughts with a line. Somehow, writing down ideas instead of just letting your mind wander generates more ideas.
3 – New idea = new line.
Have a totally new idea? Start a new line out from your theme circle.
If your brain works like mine, you’ll jump around all over your page. But in the end, you’ll have a great start to your party plan, covering everything from decor to food to favor to activities.
I’m working on four parties right now, and so it’s really important to get all the ideas out of my head and onto paper. I actually created four of these brainstorming guides this weekend.
Strawberry Shortcake Party Ideas
Under the Sea Party Ideas
Owl Sleepover Party IdeaS
Gardening Party Ideas
This is only a starting point, but I can keep adding to it or transfer these ideas to another format to flesh them out.
And that’s how I come up with “all those ideas.” Hope it helps with your next party!
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