Do you remember when growing up those nagging questions a parent or guidance counselor would ask you about setting goals for yourself? Did you ever do it? Yeah…uh, we didn’t think so. However, did you ever consider putting some thought into those goals while surrounded by friends, good food, and plenty of booze (you know, to keep the ideas flowing)? It’s time to set up that five year plan, and we’re going to help you make the process not only painless, but fun!
INVITATION TYPE
- Email – prior to the event, you’ll be polling your guests on a few things. You’ll want some of those answers before the party to help you put it all together. More on that below.
DECORATIONS
Keep your space simple and elegant. The main purpose of this party is to help your guests and you become better people.
- Leave the dining room table clear for a meeting space. Provide your guests with note pads and pens. You’ll also need to purchase a time capsule, which you can keep in the middle of the table as a centerpiece.
- Use real china, glassware, and silverware. While we know you’re fond of your Scooby Doo sippy cup, again, this party is about a more mature you.
FOOD AND DRINK MENU
The focus of this party is not on the food and drink, but you’ll want good food and drink to lure and coerce your guests into participating. Therefore, it’s best that you have this party catered. Poll your guests on two or three restaurants they would love for you to order food from and take it from there. Also be sure to provide a nice variety of beverages, particularly alcoholic beverages to keep those ideas flowing.
ENTERTAINMENT
If you have time between all your other activities to relax with a flick, here are some classic and not so classic films that are all about changing or swapping your life for a new life:
- Trading Places with Dan Aykroyd
- Big Business with Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin
- The Bucket List with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson
- Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan
GAMES
- Five Year Plan Survey – we’ve come up with this fun survey to coax everyone into predicting where they’ll be in five years. Collect everyone’s surveys and place them into the time capsule. Revisit the surveys in five years to see if anyone made any accurate predictions.
- Who Said It – in your invitations, ask each of your guests, “Where do you see yourself five years from now?” Have each person limit their answer to ten words or less. Take each answer and write it on a poster board without using the person’s name. Finally, during the party, have each guest figure out who said what by writing down their guesses on a sheet of paper. Award the person with the most correct answers a day planner.
- The Game of Life – add a little humor to your planning with this classic board game.
ATTIRE
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Come as you are…in the future! Get creative with your attire. Examples:
- Are you finally going to get that MBA and score an executive position at a Fortune 500 company? Then come in your most killer business suit.
- Did you live corporate America behind for life in the culinary arts? Then come dressed in chef gear.
- Are you planning on having a family? Then strap on that Baby Bjorn and place your “baby” (like a Cabbage Patch doll) inside.
- Come as a transgender should you be planning the operation in the next five years.
LAST MINUTE TIPS
Don’t forget your shovel! Bury the time capsule in your backyard and forget it for the next five years. Just think…you’ll have yet another excuse to throw a party when you exhume it!
And as always, remember to bring your camera!
