5 . How to plan a party for Mother’s Day

Planning a party for Mother’s Day can be exciting and fun, but if everything is put off to the last minute, it can be stressful. Therefore, we have come up a way to help you plan for it, without adding any more stress to your everyday life!

Four to six weeks before the BIG DAY!

Choose a theme first. Next, make a guest list and pick a date and time.

    1     Decide if you will have it at home, go to a park, or pay for a hall. Think about the day’s activities; what time to eat, what games to play, what crafts to do, etc. Finally you should order your party supplies, including favors, decorations, wrapping paper, plates, cups, etc.

Three weeks before the BIG DAY!

    2    

ASK for RSVP’s(不能参加请回复) by a certain date and time. Place a list of those you invited next to the phone to record RSVP’s.

    3    

If you haven’t received any RSVP’s, call to make sure they are coming. Make it clear that your helpers can still attend and what their duties will be. Order the cake.

One week before the BIG DAY!

Call all confirmed(确认的) guests and remind them of the big day, double checking directions. Buy food and candies. Make up the goodie bags based on confirmations.

One day before the BIG DAY!

Prepare your foods ahead of time.     4     In the evening, when everyone is in bed, clean the house and set up the party spot.

Day of the BIG DAY!

Pick up the cake. Blow up and set out balloons four hours before the event.

    5    

Week after the BIG DAY!

Send out thank you notes to all the helpers and those who gave gifts!

6 . TOKYO (Reuters) Young women in colourful traditional costumes, masks and white stoles braved cold weather in lines and sat seats apart from one another in Yokohama on January 11, to mark Japan’s Coming of Age Day, even though the city is under a state of emergency.

The ceremonies, typically full of kimono-clad women and smartly-dressed men, were cancelled in many cities and parties were discouraged to stop a rise in COVID-19 infections (感染).

On the second Monday in January every year, people who have turned or are about to turn 20 take part in ceremonies in local event halls or other similar places to celebrate the rite(仪式) of passage to adulthood.

The occasion, which is observed with a national holiday, serves in effect as class reunions for some teens and represents one of the major milestones for parents.

“I came as I’ve got my kimono ready and am taking steps to prevent infection. I’m not that worried," Mei Ohno, a college student, told the reporter at Yokohama Arena.

“I’ve just met my old friends after a long time. I’m having a good time. After the ceremony, I’ll take photos with my friends at the station, and then go straight home.”

Of Tokyo’s 23 regions, all but one have cancelled or put off the ceremonies. Instead, mayors’ congratulatory remarks will be offered online. The government last week declared a state of emergency for the capital and three surrounding areas.

Yokohama city, south of Tokyo, went ahead with celebrations at Pacifico Yokohama North convention hall and Yokohama Arena event hall.

“I decided to carry out today’s ceremonies as I strongly hoped everyone takes part in celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime milestone,” said the mayor(市长), in a message read out to attendees who had to take measures to keep themselves from the infection of COVID-19.

Participants wore face masks, had their temperature checks and were asked just to listen to the national anthem, instead of singing it out loud.