Get together with friends and loved ones during the summer. Parties are fun but you can also shake things up with themes that match your interests. You may even inspire your guests to try something new.
Try to Solve a Murder Mystery
Put on your thinking cap and get your Sherlock on. Buy a murder mystery dinner kit to save on time and money. You will assign characters to each guest. Some invitations might have clues. The kit reveals more clues as the party continues. As the host you might even know who the murderer is before the party begins. Each guest should really ham it up as their characters. Have fun being dramatic: a murder has happened after all.
Host a Wine-Tasting
Many grown-up parties will feature cocktails or other drinks. Use your own party as a chance to get creative with this. If you have a custom outdoor bar set it’s also an opportunity to show it off. Choose a selection of your favorite wines, or ones that you’ve always wanted to sample. Wine can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to limit the guest list to just a few friends. Don’t forget the cheese. Wine and cheese is a classic pairing.
Delight with a Masquerade Ball
What could be more fun than the chance to dress up? A masquerade ball is a great excuse to go all out. You can also plan around a specific theme. Some common ideas include coordinating by color, or going the traditional Venetian Mardi Gras route.
Test Your Luck at a Poker Party
If you’re feeling flush you can host your own poker tournament. Before you get too deep into planning you should cap off how much money guests can wager. This avoids disputes. Buy a few sets of poker chips so everyone has enough. You can use any card decks you already have on hand. It’s also a good idea to get one or two more just in case.
Go Back in Time to a Different Era
Decide on your guest list and figure out when they grew up. Center your party around that decade. Research what fashion trends and food were popular during that time period. For extra silliness you could even have your guests send in their yearbook photos and set them up in a slideshow.
Enjoy the party planning process. Themed parties are the perfect opportunity to think outside the box.
About the Author:
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to
college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she
enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her 3-year-old husky Snowball.