We know the struggle when life gets the best of you and all of a sudden, it’s someone’s special day. Planning a party last minute can add so much unneeded stress, so we wanted to make it easy for you and pull together a list of ideas that are fun, yet simple to execute. Whether you’re looking for a rental event space or would rather host from the comfort of your home, we have ideas for both.

Private Dinner Party

This theme is a super easy idea to execute on, yet still feels classy and elegant. You could host this at various private event venues or in your own dining room. We recommend coming up with a theme for your table, and it can be simple and tasteful to take out a lot of the leg work. Adding placemats, beautiful glassware, some candles, and greenery can make a simple table come to life. You can keep the meal simple as well to avoid cooking all day or you can ask your guests to each bring something they would like to share. To add an elevated feel, you can come up with a dress code for dinner too.

Movie Theater Night

This is a beloved favorite that is fun and simple. Choose your favorite movie, stock up on popcorn, candy, and your favorite beverages, and everyone cozies up around the TV. To elevate this idea further, if you or someone you know has an in-home theater, or you rent out a private lounge for your birthday party and project the movie onto the wall, you will have an even more over-the-top experience than your guests will love.

Pajama Party

Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned sleepover? Tell everyone to come in their most comfortable pajamas and you can have activities planned for when they arrive. To elevate this experience, you can have air mattresses blown up and beds made when people arrive to add to the theme and aesthetic.

Rent A Venue

To put in the least amount of effort, you can always rent a lounge for your birthday party and hand over the work to the professionals. This is an easy way to choose a venue you love and let the team take care of the rest. We at Ovation are always scaling parties to fit your needs and are more than happy to discuss your vision.

Photo-Ready Moments

We all love a good photo these days, so we have content to share on our feeds. This idea is relatively easy to plan and can be scaled accordingly. Create photo-ready moments around your home or an event space so your guests can take turns posing in front of them. Greenery, neon signs, and balloons are popular yet simple, and can really bring a space to life.

Brunch

“Brunching” is now a coined term due to the popularity that surrounds this cute and coveted meal between breakfast and lunch. Why not make a party out of it? You can come up with a theme and have people dress in their “brunch best.” This is something you can either host at home or elevate the idea and rent out a space for it.

Costume Party

Probably one of the easiest ideas you’ll come by but that does not mean it’s lacking in fun. Pick a theme and have everyone who shows up to the door decked out in character. You can have simple prizes for who wears the best costume.

We hope you keep these ideas in your back pocket in case you ever have a last-minute party to plan. We at Ovation are always happy to get more involved with our full-on event planning team. Why stress? Even if it’s last minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long in advance would I need to rent an event space?
A: That completely depends on the event space itself and availability. We always recommend calling and inquiring because you never know if they will have an opening. 

Q: If I did rent a space, can I have food catered so I don’t have to deal with it?
A: Yes. Most event venues will have catering options. We have an extensive network of connections and can always provide you with any additional services you may need.

Q: If I did a movie theater night at a venue, could they help me decorate the entire space?
A: If you are working with us, yes. We can help jump in and brainstorm ideas with you or simply execute your vision. Either way, we can help deck out the space.