Planning a Birthday Party without losing your mind

My son's 6th birthday is in 10 weeks and I am in the full swing of planning for it. Yes, 10 weeks ahead of time! I find if I start really early and slowly work my way through all the things that need to be done, it doesn't get too overwhelming and in the end is a time saver and even a money saver! How is this you ask? Well with so much time in advance I can be sure that the first venues or supplier I call for things will definitely be able to accommodate anything so far in advance. I will not have to spend any time calling around to find an available bounce house or tables for example. Also I am guaranteed the time slots I want for everything which is huge in my household. The closely kept calendar is a MUST in our household were I need to coordinate my husbands and I weekends off (as physician's we both are subject to being on call all weekend) AND we have lots of friends and family from out of town who seem just as busy as we are so if we want them to come we need to give them plenty of notice as well. And to make this year's planning extra fun, my son is scheduled to have a soccer game on Saturday of every weekend from now until October, so his party must also be planned around this schedule. And finally there is gathering the supplies, such as the party favors, the pinatas, the gifts, the table settings and the games with plenty of time to be able to leisurely put it all together in time for the party so I am not rushed and stressed out in the end. Here is also where the saving money part comes in. When you start looking for these things so far in advance, you have time to look for the best prices, find sales and even browse the Internet for deals and then not have to rush shipping (so minimal shipping costs there too) and can even get supplies from some of the discount suppliers such as Zulily (www.zulily.com) which can take a few weeks to ship to you. I also have time to MAKE my invitations and thank you cards which saves TIME AND MONEY (have you ever tried to address 25 invitations by hand???? And stock card is really not expensive and 4-6 invitations fit nicely on just one card)

So the following is a list of my personal birthday party planning timeline:

10 weeks:

• Choose date and make sure we have the weekend off.  
• Let our friends and family know that date

9 Weeks:

• Pick the "theme" 
• Pick the location (home or book a venue)

8 weeks:

• Call for the location or the supplies needed at home such as bounce houses, tables/chairs etc.

4 weeks:

• Make the invitations

3 weeks:

• Send out invitations (Set RSVP for one week before the party so you can get the party favors put together)
• order party supplies such as games and party favors

1 week:

• Put party favor bags together (this process can take longer than you think!)

3 Days:

• order cake (if you are ordering it)

2 days:

• stuff pinata

1 day:

• pick-up balloons

• pick up cake

• pick up food

• set up tables and chairs if at home

• get party supplies together in boxes/bags if hosting elsewhere

• Make cake (if you are making it) 

One of the invitations I made. Contact information blurred out for privacy.