Book Review: Planning Perfect Parties

When I was younger I bought an American Girl book about throwing slumber parties. It was one of my favorite things to flip through and got me super excited for my birthday to come around.

If you remember super fun birthday times when you were younger, they usually involved renting out bowling alleys, skating rinks, movie theaters, pizza places, etc. Well, we didn’t have much money growing up, so I was always doing the at-home cheaper DIY options and having that American Girl book made it way more fun.

I recently received another book about party planning that is perfect for the hip Pinterest world we live in now. Planning Perfect Parties: The Girls’ Guide to Fun, Fresh, Unforgettable Events by Jen Jones (April 2014) is targeted to teen girls, but any of these tips could be used sensibly at any age for birthday bashes, bridal and baby showers.

This book is exactly what young girls need to plan parties. First and foremost, it really hands them the responsibility of being a good hostess. Instead of relying on parents to run errands and provide the credit card, this book really gives the young party planner organization tips, creative ideas and realistic expectations (especially when it comes to budgeting).

Recipes, themes, decor, activities – this book covers it all! My favorite themes from the book have to be the “Stache Bash” and “Pamper Me Pretty.” On top of the ideas that this book gives you, you can scan QR codes throughout the book that will take you to the website for even more recipes and useful printables.

I look forward to having kids that I can share these fun ideas with and hopefully make them more creative and responsible for their guests. Love this book! I would even recommend it for the DIY-loving adult.

About the Author: Using her past experience as a writer for E! Online, Jen Jones has written more than 40 books about celebrities, crafting, cheerleading, fashion, and just about any other obsession a girl in middle school could have including her popular Team Cheer! series for Capstone.

When she’s not pinning cute party ideas on Pinterest, Jen also writes about food, lifestyle and fun for publications including LA Confidential, San Francisco, Whole Life Times, Thrillist, Shoptopia, and many more. She is also a graduate and current adjunct faculty member of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.