Whether you’re planning a birthday party, celebrating an engagement or going all-out with a New Year’s Eve extravaganza, choosing a party theme is an essential decision to make early on.
Once you have chosen a theme, options for food, decorations, dress code and entertainment become so much easier.
Plan the perfect themed party with our top tips:
How much time do you have to plan the party?
If you only have a few days to plan your party, keep the theme simple and classic – you don’t want to spoil the event for yourself by wearing yourself out with planning!
If you have several weeks or months of planning time, you can choose something a little more adventurous.
When is the party going to take place?
Consider the time of year you will be holding the party. If it’s around Christmas time, bear in mind that people’s diaries will fill up early with seasonal events such as work parties, carol concerts and nativity plays. However it’s a great excuse to go all-out with the festive theme with a winter wonderland party.
What’s your budget?
Make sure you have decided on your budget before you start planning your party. Once you’re wrapped up in organising the perfect event, costs can start to creep up.
If you’re on a tight budget, there’s no point attempting to hold a lavish champagne party, so be realistic about what your budget allows and keep this in mind when you are choosing your theme.
Does the theme suit the occasion?
When you are deciding on a theme, ensure it is age appropriate, suitable for the occasion and tailored to the guests who will be attending.
For example, a casino-themed party would not be that much fun for children. If in doubt, err on the side of caution and choose an age neutral, classic theme.
Keep it classic
If you’re struggling to decide on a theme, keep it classic. Eras such as the 1920s and 1950s are always popular, plus you can seek inspiration for costumes and decorations from famous books and films such as the Great Gatsby and Grease.
Colour
Choosing your colour scheme will depend on your theme. Classic festive shades of red and green suit a Christmas-themed event, whilst bright colours and bold decorations would work well for a summer party.
You can’t go wrong with simple monochrome shades, while soft pastels are perfect for baby showers and christenings.
Once you have decided on your colour scheme, choices such as invitations, dress code and decorations will become a breeze.
Ask for advice
Once you have decided on a theme, ask your friends and family for their opinion. They may have some great ideas to add that memorable finishing touch to the event, or they could point out any potential pitfalls you may have missed.
Perfect party props
Make your event memorable for all the right reasons with props such as a photo booth, karaoke machine or games tables. Kids of all ages – old and young! – will love a giant football table, which makes the ideal focal point and both indoor and outdoor events. For something a bit different, silent disco headphones will have everyone dancing away in their own little world.
Whatever theme you decide to choose for your party, don’t forget to have fun!
