Organize your (Christmas) Party with Google services

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Google offering is capturing most of my time online. I find myself using most of their services for all of my Internet needs.

Therefore I decided to put my passion for parties and the free flavor of the Google world together to help you manage your Christmas party.

1. Set up a free Google account

If you don’t have one do not panic. Your time management is going to benefit from this. Go to the Google Account page, choose a username and password and enjoy it.

2. Start by using your Google Groups

Groups is going to be your basic platform to involve others. Create a group and share it with your friends by emailing them the link.

Edit your Google Group by:

Creating a page called “About this party” in which you will explain everything about the party. Theme, dress code, ticket price (should you have any),etc.
Creating a discussion post with a link to your map (see item 3)
Creating a discussion post called “Menu choice” in which you collect feedback on possible menus.

3. Create a Google Map

Go to Maps website, enter your address and generate you personal map. Copy the link and publish it on the dedicated post on the discussion page or in the “About this party” page (see item 2).

4. Create a Google Calendar

Google Calendar has a nice feature that allows you to share an activity. The good thing about it is that you will directly send the invitation through Calendar and you’ll be able to collect RSVP immediately.

5. Use Google Docs

This will help you to manage the party internally. Go to Docs and create:

a spreadsheet with attendees’ list and collected RSVP (see item 4)
a spreadsheet on venue management. You’ll be able to collect all the info about catering, decorations, supplies, etc.
a spreadsheet with a budget. A successful event relies on a sound budget. Keep track of your expenses and revenues (if you plan to have any)

6. Manage music with Gspace

Gspace is a Firefox extension that allows you to store your files.

Create another Gmail account
Share the password with your friends via Google Groups
Invite them to download Firefox and the Gspace extension
Invite them to upload their playlists onto Gspace
The day of the event use your PC to play the music with the integrated player

Become a vee-jay with Youplayer

“… YouPlayer is a video player with playlist similar to the one in Winamp. You may add/drag a YouTube, Google Video, Metacafe or MySpace link into a playlist window. When you double-click on it, it will be shown in the video window. You may drag a link to a browser window or right-click it and open in a new tab. You may also add/drag other links, thus the playlist will work as a bookmarker. YouPlayer also allows you to download video files! Just right-click it on the playlist and select ‘download’.”

Get the extension for Firefox and enjoy the Playlist!

7. Take a lot of pictures and create a gallery on Picasa