Party planning guides

Party planning guides

Milestone party guides, costs, checklists and how-to guides for the day. There are 12 guides in this section, all free to read and copy from.

Every one is written for a specific moment rather than in general, so pick the closest fit and take the lines you need.

  • How to plan an 18th birthday party
    A practical UK guide to planning an 18th: venue options, licensing rules, realistic budgets and a countdown that starts three months out.
  • 21st birthday party ideas
    Themes, venues and realistic costs for a 21st, plus a countdown that works whether the plan is a big night or a quiet dinner.
  • 30th birthday party ideas
    Themes, venue options and realistic UK costs for a 30th, including how to plan one when half the guest list has young children.
  • 40th birthday party ideas
    Themes, venues and UK costs for a 40th, plus how to run a surprise party without it collapsing in the last fortnight.
  • How to plan a 50th birthday party
    A step-by-step UK guide to planning a 50th: venue and catering costs, guest list balance, speeches and a twelve-week countdown.
  • How to plan a 60th birthday party
    A step-by-step UK guide to planning a 60th: choosing a venue that suits every generation, realistic costs, speeches and a countdown.
  • How to plan a 70th birthday party
    A UK guide to planning a 70th: daytime venues, accessibility, catering costs and a countdown built around a family guest list.
  • How to plan an 80th birthday party
    How to plan an 80th that suits the guest of honour: short, seated, daytime, accessible, and built around family.
  • How to make a balloon arch
    A step-by-step guide to building a balloon garland arch at home, including how many balloons you need per metre and how to hang it so it lasts the party.
  • How much helium do you need for balloons?
    How many balloons each helium tank size fills, how long they float, what it costs in the UK, and when not to bother with helium at all.
  • Party bag ideas for adults
    Over 40 adult party bag ideas by budget and occasion, plus what to spend per guest and how to fill a bag that doesn't get left on the table.
  • Photo booth prop ideas
    Prop ideas by occasion, DIY versions you can make in an evening, backdrop options and how to set up a photo corner that people actually use.

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Frequently asked questions

How many party planning guides are there?

There are 12 in this section, and the full directory has 275 guides across 26 topics.

Are these free to use?

Yes. Copy any message, joke or checklist straight into a card or a party plan. You do not need to buy anything.