I know most people tend to think of a new year as a time for a fresh start. Resolutions start flying around left and right…lose weight, stop smoking, volunteer more, etcetera, etcetera. I have long since stopped making New Years resolutions, not because I think they are silly or don’t work, but because I know me….and they don’t work for me. So while everyone else is planning what they are going to give up, or get into for the new year, you know what I am thinking about? Party themes! That’s right, parties!

I tend to think in terms of celebrations, quite an excellent way to look at life if you ask me. See, I have three daughters ages 10 and under at home and a 23 year-old who lives in Texas. I have loads of birthdays, graduations, and probably at least one wedding in my future. Not to mention the clients who hire me to help execute their special occasions. Themes are big with me and so I start thinking of them early. Not that I don’t allow my kids to express what kind of party they might like to have, on the contrary, I ask them what they want and if they don’t know I sometimes create a theme from what they are into at the time.

For example, a few years ago when my daughter was turning six, I asked her what kind of party she wanted to have. She was on an Oreo cookie binge at the time so she said she wanted an Oreo party. Huh? I was only stumped for about 10 minutes, I had seen some Milk and Cookie themed parties so I decided I would just substitute Oreo’s for the traditional chocolate chip. The party turned out excellent, everyone “ooohhh’d” and “aaahhhh’d” over all the different flavors of Oreos that we had. Who knew they had so many?

So you get the point right? A party can be created around anything, favorite colors, activities, and yes even food. So you don’t have to be like me and ditch the resolutions, just think about what you are going to do for your upcoming celebrations this year, it will make your time on the treadmill go by much faster!

Adonica is the owner of A2D (Attention to Detail) Events in Columbia. She and her husband DeMarko are the parents of four beautiful daughters; Jazmyn, Camryn, Paityn, and Jordyn. In addition to her family and business roles she also volunteers with Granny’s House and sits on its board of directors. In her spare time, which is admittedly not a lot, she enjoys long lunches with friends, traveling and of course, parties!