The Killer Theme Party

by carlylyly - November 12, 2008

Rate Guide (3)

5 discussions

Forget the classics, stop making the jungle juice and throw out the 80's playlist. This is the theme party for the serious party host where "CEOs and Office Hos" will not be in attendance. The serious host wants quality over quantity and would never use a clever rhyme on the invite. These parties are not a joke. Your theme party is going to be epic, captured in the Flickr archives forever. If you are prepared to throw a theme party where even your bathroom decor is altered, read on. If not? Get out.

To Theme, Or Not to Theme?

The question is easy. The answer is simple. If you are brave enough to throw a party, you must pick a theme. The theme centers the festivities of your gathering. It provides the attendee with an idea of what to expect from the evening. The theme offers a chance for your guests to become someone else for the night without regret. Here is the bottom line: theme parties make for killer memories and who in their right mind doesn’t pine for those?

The answer is THEME.

Add Comment

Size Matters

Not every party needs to be a PARTY. When it comes to inviting guests, the first thing you need to determine is an appropriate size. Throwing a Mafia themed Italian dinner night? Don’t invite everyone at the bar. Think in terms of myspace top friends. Whatever theme you choose directly dictates the size of the party. Think about it before you hit send.

Add Comment

Tricks of the Trade

I’ve been planning, throwing and attending theme parties since I was five years old. It all started, thanks to my mother, with a Little Mermaid party. My father dressed up as King Triton demanding the “key” from guest which was included with the invite. We had a dingle hopper hunt in the backyard and a treasure chest in the living room. I blame this experience for my theme party obsession.

At this point, I’ve thrown more theme parties than I can count ranging from a big Italian dinner to a huge Studio 54 affair complete with faux coke. Through all the costumes, decorations and clean up, I have learned countless hosting lessons the hard way. Here are my party saver suggestions:

1. If you choose to throw a blow out, a.k.a. debauchery, invite everyone you know. There is NOTHING more depressing than an empty party. This may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s an important one. Don’t forget to encourage invitees to spread the word and to bring friends. The “more the merrier” saying is no joke.

2. Lighting is crucial. Nothing kills the mood of a Great Gatsby Soiree than your kitchen’s florescent light. Bring in lamps from other rooms or get some Christmas lights. On the same note, low lighting may not always be part of your theme. If you are having an Office Space party that florescent light may be just the thing. Lighting makes the theme so do whatever you have to do to achieve your goal. I’ve been known to duck tape light switches to avoid a surprise illumination.

3. Supply cheap booze. Don’t buy one bottle of vodka for your select few and assume no one is going to try to sneak a pull. Remember: at a theme party it isn’t so much what you are drinking as it is how you are drinking it. Be creative. Stock your fridge with the cheapest beer 7-11 sells. It won’t set you back too much and your guests expect it to be there. You’re throwing a party so be ready to spend some dough.

4. If you live in a house, hire a DJ. That DJ can be your best friend or your dad, but having someone responsible for the music all night will eliminate the stress a dead ipod can produce. Tell the DJ what you want to hear, hand him a beer and be off. Your guests will be impressed.

5. In the end, it is just a party. Just a party with your friends in silly costumes, drinking cheap beer. So, have fun! Don’t sweat the small stuff once the party starts and everything will be OK.

Those are the most important things I can think of for all you party throwing social butterflies. Good luck out there, and don’t forget to play the part.

Add Comment

Beverages & More

1441 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94133

For the drinking elite, “Bev-Mo” is the Vatican of all things alcoholic. Aisles upon aisles of booze provides even the most picky drinker with numerous options. Even when you have lost faith in what the cocktail can do for you, Bev-Mo will show you the light and lead you to the promise land.

Add Comment

Beyond the Cliche: Theme Parties for the Boldest of Party Planners

Andy Warhol Party: Cover your walls with tin foil. Hire an “it” girl for guests to fawn over. Serve all drinks out of cleaned out Campbell’s soup cans. Costumes include Warhol himself and celebrities he silk-screened, such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.
Taxi Cab (the movie) Party: In reference to the cult classic movie, this theme brings the rough streets of New York City into your own home. A Taxi Cab theme enables men to fulfill fantasizes of being Robert Deniro, while fulfilling women’s prostitute fantasies. Another key character was a seventies pimp, complete with a coke nail.
The Outsider’s Party: Remove all white furniture with the assumption that a climatic knife fight will go down just after midnight. In fact, split the house in two. Decorate half to look like the “Soc” side, or a posh, expensive home. Make the other side resemble an alley or street. Crumple newspapers, borrow a bench and construct a tree. Attendees must choose to be either a Greaser or a Soc. Elitist attitudes are encouraged by both.

Asian Fetish Party: Dig up your old Karate Kid videos and break out the sake: the Geisha’s are coming! Important decorations include a rising sun, bamboo trees and hanging lanterns. You earn extra points if you hire a traditional Biwa player. Costume possibilities include ninjas, field workers and creeps who search for Asian porn online.

Add Comment

Goodwill Industries

216 41, New York, NY 10001

Don’t overlook this thrift store super-giant! Goodwill stores are spread all over the country and have everything from funky lamps to hot pink gorilla costumes. You never know what kind of treasure you’re going to find. Goodwill is a perfect place to shop for your theme party. Why buy generic party supplies when you could buy authentic items to match your theme for even cheaper? Goodwill stores make dreams come true!

Add Comment

Trader Joe's

1092 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

You need food for your fine friends to snack on while they’re busy getting tipsy (no puking at your party!) I am a strong believer in Trader Joe’s seven layer dip. It is always a crowd pleaser and there are rarely leftovers. Drunk people equal hungry people so be prepared! Don’t you dare forget the two buck chuck.

Add Comment

Guides We Think You'll Like

Discussions

: by kaitlyngale 11/14/2008 Reply

also….for theme party attendees: Don’t be one of those type that choose to go to the party but not participate in the theme. The more the theme is embraced the more fun to be had!

: by britishrebel 11/13/2008 Reply

that’s so weird cause im having a prom theme too. its all about themes. getting away from normal clothes and having a reason to roll out in something not normal. love.