Fantastically fun party themes
Some simple suggestions to make your party stand out!
Recently, I realised that yes, a theme really can make or break a party. Themes must be original and, of course, entertaining. Yet it has to be simple enough for people with limited time or creativity to still participate in costumes or activities! My friend group is notorious for going all out with party themes — the one memorable Carnival-themed birthday that had a jumping castle, alcoholic slushy machines and 800 fortune tellers. Or the many ‘childhood hero’ themes that I always seem to attend dressed as Batman.
Here are five party themes that I’ve encountered and absolutely adore!
1) ABC - Anything But Clothes/Cups
This theme is by no means new, but it’s such a classic I had to include it anyway! ABC, with the C standing for Clothes, results in some hilarious (usually overly sexual) revelations about your nearest and dearest. I’ve seen towels and shower caps, togas (that’s cheating!) and a backpack with leg holes cut out. The point of this theme is to be creative and ridiculous! Tape monopoly money to yourself. Gift wrapping paper. Cut holes for your legs and arms out of a roomy (clean!) rubbish bin, and have somewhere to store your drinks, too!
If you choose to host an Anything But Cups party, be prepared for some mess. And a few hours in, expect everyone to get tired of drinking out of watermelons, top hats and saucepans and discard them in favour of every drinking vessel you have in your house because you didn’t think of buying plastic cups. Because no one was supposed to drink from cups. Moral of the story: buy plastic cups anyway. Also, expect to wake up in the morning to many abandoned watermelons, top hats and saucepans… et cetera.
2. Letters
This one can work in a couple of ways. I’ve most commonly seen: ‘Dress as something that starts with the first letter of your name’. It’s a pretty cool idea — better than giving no constraints at all, but not too restricting. There’s nothing worse than turning up to an ‘underwater’-themed party as one of a hundred fish. So, my name is Taylor. I could dress as a turtle, a tree, in turquoise, a television, a set of teeth… Maybe not the latter.
Alternatively, get everyone to dress as something beginning with the letter of your name! This could tie in nicely with the decor, food and any activities, too. I could serve tiny tuna toasties, tortellini and Tim Tams. The venue would be decorated as a tent. Endless possibilities!
3. Around The World
My 21st. I didn’t want to have a party. After much peer-pressure, I caved and decided on a small dinner party get-together. But it couldn’t be a boring old dinner party, oh no! My lovely fellow editor Kristie-Lee suggested an ‘around the world’ theme. One option is to set each room up as a different country or continent. The living room might be Mexico, with nachos, tequila and mandatory sombreros. The kitchen could be Russia, serving vodka and various cold snacks. The backyard is America and features hamburgers, rap music and beer in red cups.
In my case, I grouped people into couples and gave them an obscure country - Uzbekistan, Argentina, Wales… They had to wear a costume and bring a meal inspired by their country. It was pretty successful and the food was amazing!
4. Rubik’s Cube
The Rubik’s Cube party is so popular it has its own website! It’s probably best suited for a Uni celebration, because things might get a little… intimate. The premise is simple: each clothing item you’re wearing must be one of the colours on a Rubik’s Cube. Mix it up and wear loads of different types of clothes in all colours! During the party, you all swap clothes. The aim is to be the first person to ‘solve’ your outfit - to be wearing only one colour. Yes, you’re removing clothes in front of everyone. Alcohol probably required. And pro tip: wear clothes you don’t care about losing!
5. Robots and Sluts
The premise for this one is simple:
“Guys dress as robots.
Girls surprise the guys by dressing as robots.
Everyone is robots.”
I would give a little feminist rah-rah, saying women are objectified within the college frat-boy landscape, where we are seen as ‘sluts’ or ‘hoes’ and nothing more.
But let’s face it. I love this theme simply because I want to dress as a robot. Someone should have this party and invite me. My costume is ready.
What memorable party themes have you seen? Let us know in the comments!
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