Planning a themed party may sound challenging, but it doesn’t have to be! Any good party planner will tell you that hosting a themed party is easy, as long as you have a well thought out plan. This takes a little time, patience, and a few lists.
If you’re ready to throw a harvest party to welcome the cooler weather or plan a low-key get-together with your besties based on your favorite pop culture show or movie, we can help you look like a party-throwing pro. All you need are our six best tips for hosting a themed party to get started.
Pick a Theme
The first thing you need when planning a themed party is the theme. If you don’t know where to begin, check the calendar to see if the date of your event falls close to any special days. Do a search for odd holidays that fall on the date of your party to get some inspiration. You may be able to create a theme around National Cherry Popover Day in September or Golfer’s Day in April.
If you aren’t into odd days of the month, have a party based around something you and friends love. Maybe having a romantic comedy night with your favorite couples, or maybe a party based around black and white photography is more your speed. Be sure to brainstorm as many ideas as you can and then narrow down the options until you can decide on just one.
Send Invites for your Themed Party
Many people overlook sending paper invites these days. However, receiving mail that isn’t a bill might really get your party guests excited. Pick or create invites that incorporate your theme or colors so that your guests start to know what your party is all about. Along with letting them know the date, time, and location, be sure to include details like what food to bring, any activities that may happen, and if you want them to dress in specific attire that matches the theme.
Choose Food That Fits the Occasion
You don’t need to have a four-course meal to have fun at a themed party. You can plan finger foods, appetizers, or just desserts. It’s really up to you. Once you are set on a theme, search for it on Pinterest and just wait for the sparks of inspiration to happen. If your theme is a bit more obscure, don’t worry. You can find ideas around the most memorable foods from fiction or rare foods from different countries, too.
If your theme doesn’t have any set type of menu and you just want a little help with this time-intensive portion of party planning, consider asking everyone to bring a dish to share. If you want to have some fun with it, assign each person a different letter of the alphabet and have them bring a dish that starts with the letter. Or, if you’re planning a party for St. Patrick’s Day, ask everyone to bring a green food or drink to share. Your guest won’t only enjoy some great food, but will probably have a few laughs over all the different things people bring to share.
Create a Playlist
Playing music is an excellent way to infuse the theme into the background of your party. Build a playlist on Deezer, Spotify, or Pandora, and include songs that match your theme. You can also look for pre-generated playlists if you’re short on time or aren’t quite sure what kind of music to use. You can also play a movie if this is a better fit for your event. If you’re planning a 20s themed party or a gambling night, look for some of the best casino films to show. You can play holiday classics for Halloween or Christmas parties or your favorite chick-flicks for a bachelorette party.
If you don’t have an ideal entertainment system for movies or music, no worries! Look for ways to watch videos from your phone on your tv. You may also want to consider purchasing a wireless speaker so that you can take your tunes with you no matter where you may throw your party.
Don’t Forget the Decor
Every party needs some decorations. Displaying images of your favorite Star Wars characters or hanging streamers in your themed party colors can help your theme come alive. To plan your decorations, create a list of all surfaces that you may need to decorate.
Think about tables where your guests will sit, places where food will be served, and any other seating areas you may have. Consider the type of fabric you will be choosing to cover chair and tables. Don’t forget to think about the outside of your party location, too. You might want to put up a sign in your front yard to let people know they have arrived at the right spot or hang a few streamers or balloons on your front porch.
Plan Activities
If you’re planning a Halloween party, your guest will probably expect a dress-up contest. Why should it be any different with other themes? It shouldn’t! Think about your theme and then plan a few possible activities. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Fall Harvest Party – Bonfire or a hayride
- Easter Party – Egg decorating
- Casino Party – Gambling or a card game
- Spa Party – Facials, manicures, or pedicures
Get Ready to Party
Planning a party should be fun. Take your time to choose your theme and every small detail until each one has been covered. Use these tips to make sure that your theme is infused into every decision you make. Then, all you’ll have left to do is have a good time.
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