Throw A Themed Party!
2/14/2008You want to have a party but not just any old party. You want to kick up the festivities a notch and throw a themed party.
When done right, themed parties can be quite entertaining. First, of course, you need to come up with a theme. Then you can start planning the party and selecting decorations, food and games that successfully convey that theme. Possible themes include:
Big event: You could focus on a big sporting event like the World Series or Super Bowl or a big entertainment event like the Oscars, Grammys or Emmys.
Cause: In addition to the better-known causes, you could focus on literacy, crime prevention or animal rights.
Decade: You could focus on a particular decade for your party like the 1950s,'60s or '70s.
Food:. You could focus on a particular food like chocolate, coffee or ice cream and have a death by chocolate party, a coffee lovers' party or a build your own sundae or banana split party.
Holiday: In addition to the better-known holidays, you could focus on some of the unique, lesser-known holidays like National Mustard Day or Groundhog Day.
General: These run the gambit and may include the beach, colors, Hawaiian shirt, pirates, show and tell, ugly candle contest and more.
Along with selecting a theme, you need to make a guest list, select a venue and determine a budget. Is this an adults only party or will it include children and teens? Where will you be having the party? Indoors or outdoors?
At your home or in another location? How much money can you afford to spend? Will you be supplying everything, or will you have guests bring something?
If you decide guests should bring something, be sure to let them know that when you invite them.
The answers to these questions will often dictate the type of party you throw. An adults-only event at home with a small budget might call for a formal dinner party, whereas an adult, teen and kid-friendly party at a banquet hall with a large budget might call for a dance party.
Once you have all of the major details taken care of, you can start gathering party items based on that theme.
This includes food, beverages, decorations and costumes, if you want to go that route. You can keep this simple or go for something more elaborate.
To help make the party more memorable, you might want to consider giving out party favors for keepsakes. When notifying guests, make sure you let them know what the theme of the party is and how far you are planning to take it, such as wearing costumes.
Hosting a themed party doesn't have to be intimidating. You can plan as simple or elaborate party as you feel comfortable with. All you really need to worry about is making sure everyone has fun, and if you have fun, your guests will, too.