Even the most organized person might have trouble juggling all the details of a well-planned party. Here is a condensed version--a checklist--of party planning tips so a ball doesn't drop.

• Start planning early.
• Pick a theme.
• Choose a location.
• Write the guest list.
• Send an invitation.
• Decorate the party place.
• Plan a winning menu.
• Welcome guests with a craft project.
• Choose party games.
• Select favors and prizes.
• Send thank-you notes.

PARTY SCRAPBOOK

After the festivities, when the ice cream is melted and the guests have left, keep the memories of your child's party alive with a ready-to-be-personalized scrapbook page from FAMILYFUN . Once your child fills in his guest list, games and more, the page becomes a keepsake that can be tucked into a scrapbook or photo album. To receive yours, send an SASE to FAMILYFUN Birthday Scrapbook, P.O. Box 1148, Northampton, MA 01062.

Click here for a printable version of the scrapbook. It will be saved to your hard drive as "scrapbook.pdf". Your browser needs to be running the Adobe Acrobat Reader Plug-in to view and print this file. Click here to download and install the free plug-in.