Lexington, KY - Depending on your disposition, organizing a party can be half the fun or a complete nightmare. If you have a penchant for entertaining, you might find joy in tasks such as picking out invitations or curating a menu and soundtrack for the evening; if not, the mere thought of hitting up a party supply shop can be enough to make you want to can the whole idea.
Either way, you probably agree some of the most memorable parties you have attended or hosted are well-executed theme parties. We've put together a list of party themes - some that are time-tested, some that are new to us - to help get the creative juices flowing for your spring and summer events.
Murder Mystery Party
Murder mystery parties involve assigning all the guests fictionalized character roles in advance, with details including their career, their relationship with the deceased, marriages and affairs, places lived, and other telling details that they can incorporate into their role for the evening. One of the characters is assigned the role of "murderer," with only this person and the host knowing "whodunnit" in advance. The rest of the evening revolves around guests drilling each other to figure out who the culprit is, with everyone submitting their best guesses at the end. Food, drink and attire should be geared toward the setting of the murder. While it may be easiest to purchase or download a "Murder Mystery" kit (the Internet has no shortage of downloadable options, and boxed sets are available at some board game outlets), if you are feeling particularly ambitious, you can write your own. Be sure to send invitations at least six weeks in advance, and stress the importance of RSVPing, since the success of the party revolves around a specific cast of characters.
Around-the-World Party
For this one, ask guests to bring food and drink from different countries, as well as a small label identifying their dish/cocktail recipe and its origin (depending on the size of the group, you may want to a assign a specific country to each guest to avoid repeats or omissions). Encourage guests to wear traditional garb from their country if you want to take the theme to another level. If space permits, you can even organize the party so that different rooms host different continents. This theme works as a large, casual, drink-centric party, as well as an intimate dinner gathering.
Outdoor Movie Night
For a more family- or neightborhood-friendly party, or just a laid back summer evening, invite some friends over for a backyard movie screening. Project the film on a blank, light-colored wall or garage door, or a hanging sheet. Sprinkle the yard with lawn chairs, blankets and pillows. Serve up some fresh-popped popcorn and other movie snacks; provide a cooler stocked with beers and sodas. Must haves: a movie projector/DVD set-up and working sound system (be sure to test it out in advance to avoid troubleshooting on the spot); understanding neighbors or a well-insulated backyard.
Movie or Television
Show Party
Choose a popular movie or television series and encourage guests to come in character. While it can be fun to have the party coincide with a season premiere or finale, shows that are no longer on the air can make for great theme parties as well. The key to making a film- or TV-themed party particularly memorable is attention to details: carefully consider food and drink, background music, and props that fit the theme or era of the show or movie - i.e., serve an Italian dinner for a "Sopranos" party; provide guests with candy cigarettes for a "Mad Men" party; decorate a room like the Black Lodge from "Twin Peaks." Consider providing small prizes for best and most original costumes.
Cosby Sweater Party
The loud-patterned sweaters regularly worn by Bill Cosby during his tenure as Dr. Bill Huxtable in "The Cosby Show" have garnered a curious amount of mainstream attention in recent years, with Jan. 20 being declared "National Cosby Sweater Day" and numerous websites dedicated to the phenomenom. While asking your guests to come donned in a hideous thrift store sweater from the '80s may not seem like the most innovative or inviting party tactic, you can take your Cosby Sweater party to the next level by serving Jell-O Pudding Pops and other Cosby-endorsed products; providing a Cosby-approved jazz soundtrack; and replacing all the framed photographs in your house with photos of the Huxtable family over the years.
Iron Chef Party
Taking cues from the popular culinary television show can add a fun layer of friendly competition to your next dinner party. Select four or five home cooks (or teams of two) to participate in the competition, and at least three judges. An ingredient is chosen at random and revealed to all the competitors at the same time. Each team has a set amount of time to shop for their ingredients (within a pre-determined budget) and prepare a tasting-size dish centered on the featured ingredient (prep work should be done at their own kitchen, while any last minute cooking can be completed at the host's home). There should be enough food so that everyone can enjoy a multi-course meal, and the judges, without knowing who prepared what, decide on the winning dish after everything has been tasted. As the competitors typically fork over the cost for the ingredients, the judges can be asked to contribute to a cash prize for the winner. This theme can easily be adapted for a large or small, formal or casual party.
"Food-tripping" party
Flavor-tripping parties got widespread media attention with a 2008 New York Times article about a series of privately organized rooftop parties centered around a temporary tastebud-altering "miracle fruit" (also known as the Dulci berry or Synsepalum dulcificum). Available in tablet or berry form, the fruit influences your taste buds for up to an hour, making just about anything taste sweeter and more delicious than normal, and has developed a cult following among hip and innovative party hosts in recent years. Order an appropriate inventory of berries (one per guest) and provide a spread of foods that will help kick in the "food trip."