Theme parties are a fun way to spice up your social life. Here are some themed ideas and tips on how to plan a great party.
Invitation: Start a theme party in the best way with a well-written invitation. Let your guests know what your inspiration is and give them suggestions on what to wear. Offer a prize for the best outfit to encourage people to dress up and participate in the theme.
Decor – Google Image Search is great for decorating ideas. Try a regular party store for a few things, but get creative! Also visit vintage or Goodwill stores for fun items.
Dress Up: Halloween shouldn’t be the only time we can dress up! Prepare your camera. Decorate a designated photo-taking spot for guests to take photos. Have accessories available for those who do not come in costume.
Music Playlist: Thanks to the magic of the Internet, we no longer have to DJ at our own parties. Save time by creating a Pandora online radio station that matches your party theme. Or take a look at many other options online for themed playlists. Keep the music light and relaxed when people first arrive, and then turn up the pace of the dance.
Signature Drink – This is one of the easiest things to tie into a party theme. Pick anything relevant to the topic that can be made ahead of time and easily served in a pitcher.
Appetizers – Choose options that can be made ahead of time to cut down on last-minute party prep. Not everything served has to be part of the theme – one or two plates will do.
Dessert: Choose a dessert related to the theme, or even just decorations to match the theme on a simple cake.
Theme ideas:
Cuban
- Decoration: Find Old Travel Ads for Cuba
- Dress: Fun dress that you would wear to a salsa club.
- Music: Cuban music artists, such as Desi Arnaz, Celia Cruz and Buena Vista Social Club
- Applications: chips and salsa, patties, bananas
- Dessert: Flan, Tres Leches
Playboy Mansion
- Decoration: lots of pink and lace.
- Dress: Heffner smoking jacket and slippers, feather boas, rabbit ears
- Music: Top 40 fun danceable pop / dance music; also Dimitri From Paris’ One night at the Playboy mansion
- Dessert: chocolate covered strawberries
Crazy men
- Decoration: anything retro
- Dress – Get inspired by the Mad Men TV show.
- Music: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and other lounge music from the 50s
- Apps: Find recipes in a classic Betty Crocker cookbook published in the 1950s
- Dessert: Something made with gelatin.
Pop star
- Decoration: pop music posters, teen magazines.
- Dress: come as your favorite pop star
- Music: Top 40 Pop, Old and New
- Dessert: Find a bakery that will decorate a cake with a photo of your favorite pop group
Strawberry cake
- Décor: fun vintage rustic strawberry plaid tablecloth
- Dress: Keep it simple with just accessories, like a strawberry pin or a hostess apron
- Applications: something light since dessert is the focus
- Dessert: Make Your Own Strawberry Shortcake Buffet
Old Hollywood: great to pair with an Oscars party
- Decoration: red carpet and lots of gold.
- Dress: Glamor
- Music: songs from old movies
- Applications: Fancy finger food
- Dessert: Mini cakes
