Tips on hosting your themed parties

What are the rules to hosting a themed party? It’s simple – use the same rules as regular parties with just a few intricate details with some glitz here and some jazz hands there. I recently threw an 80’s themed party, and here are some tips that helped me throw an amazing a mediocre party!

The first thing to keep in mind when planning is that things won’t always go as planned. There will always be some sort of hiccup and that’s ok. Repeat after me – there will always be some sort of hiccup and that is ok. I don’t care how organized you are, things happen and despite it all – and for the sake of your guests – you need to act like everything is going as planned. Being relaxed is key.  If you are tense, everyone in the room can feel it and no one wants to be at a party where you can feel the crazy vibes in the room.

Tip # 1 : Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

• You will want to send invitations about four weeks before your party. The more notice you give, the more likely people are to come.
• You need to ensure that people will have a place to sit.  If you don’t have enough, I’d like to introduce you to Frisco Party Rental.  It’s a locally owned and operated company, so you know they’re invested in providing the best possible service to the community, and that’s exactly what they did for me!  They brought tables, chairs and linens and incredible customer service.  If you’re planning a graduation party or any other event I would strongly recommend contacting them.   They’re extremely affordable and offer top quality.

• Once you decide when to hold your party, be sure to reach out to any vendors that you may need.  This will ensure that you will have enough time to get everything that you need on the day that you need it.
• Leave empty space in an extra room in your house so that you can shove any unsightly thing into there so it’ll be out of your guests sight.  For example, I used the home office that my husband has been telling me to clean up for some time. All I had to do was put the new clutter with the other clutter for  just one night (or at least that’s what I told my husband).
• Make sure you don’t overdo it while spraying your house with perfumes and deodorizers….remember that some guests can have reactions to strong smells. There’s is nothing worse than someone having to leave the party with a headache 5 minutes after arriving.  After all you went through all that work why fumble on the obvious?
• Make sure to follow the mantra of the airlines (no, i don’t mean to inflict bodily injury on them by throwing them out).  Keep all exits clear.
• Set rules for smokers, designating a spot for them outside and preferably 50 yards away (says the ex smoker).
• Make sure whatever room you are designating as the coat room is presentable.
• Close the door to all rooms that you designate off limits.
• Make sure the powder room doesn’t smell like a urinal. Maybe that’s just for me, but my boys have created a unique litter box aroma in my downstairs bathroom that I am constantly working to eliminate.  Make sure the restroom that your guests will use is sparkling and odor free.
• While we’re on the subject of bathrooms, stock them with clean hand towels and other necessities such as additional rolls of toilet paper and some extra soap.
• Create a par-tay schedule to keep you on your toes.  This can be something as simple as a checklist on a small 3×5 notecard. This will help keep any planned events on track.

• You don’t need to spend a fortune on food.  Do what I do and load up on bulk purchases from Costco and snacks from WalMart.  This will allow your guests to pick and choose from a variety of tasty delights – and will keep you from blowing your entire food budget on a one night event.
• Another option (and one that I chose recently) is a potluck.  It took some pressure off of me and allowed me to spend my time where I needed to – like cleaning my house and decorating.
• Even if you do choose potluck, don’t leave it all to chance.  Instead make sure that you have at least a few things on hand.   For example, I had brownies by Coffee N Cream.  Oh my GWAD! They were ganache filled squares of heaven!   “Nobody puts this brownie in the corner!” The brownies was so moist, delicious and oh so decadent. Word to the wise…. you can try to eat a whole one by yourself and that is just WRONG on so many levels. This is a brownie that needs to be shared with friends. Its so rich and creamy and you need to savor the bites as it dances along your palate.

PC: Coffee N Cream

 Rule # 3 Decorations, games and party favors

• For my party it was only the best for my crew; Target and the dollar tree. No joke their stuff is legit and provided more funds to go where it was needed. Prizes and more alcohol.

• Play games or create other events to keep your guests entertained. I failed at getting a dance floor and strobe lights (the latter due to my migraines and fear of having an epileptic fit). I had a karaoke machine on standby but we never got to it.  Dancing would have been nice but whatevs.  Instead I did an 80’s bingo, 80’s memory game, word search and other fun things.

 

 

• I gave out prizes too! I had many fabulous vendors provide goodies for raffle prizes, swag bags and just because prizes.  Coffee N Cream donated coffee n cookie cards for each of the guests in addition to a $5 gift card for one of the raffles. Not including their amazing brownies. Their brownies put Frisco on the map. Ok I don’t know about that but if I had to assume I would say so! Spa810 donated two $25 gift cards for the event. Totally radical

 

Disclosure: Frisco Mom Blog was compensated and or provided product in return for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.