Anyone who’s hosted a party will know how much planning is needed beforehand. Whether it’s finding the best drinks to mix at home or securing a venue, there will always be plenty to think about. Themes can also be an important consideration when planning a party, and they can make or break an event. If you’re wondering which is the right theme for your upcoming celebration, this article will help you.

Do Some Online Research

The first thing you should do is visit the internet for some inspiration. There are many great resources out there, from blogs to specialist articles about themed parties. This will give you a good starting point and help you to narrow down your options. You can also discover what’s trending at the moment for your particular party’s age range.

Some websites are a one-stop shop for all things related to hosting a party. The popularity of PartyVikings shows that people are looking for help with their themed parties, whether they’re for gentlemen, a girls’ night out or a birthday. Such sites often sell things like smoke machines, multifunctional nets, UV lamps, balloon sets, cocktail shakers, streamers, confetti and disco lights.

Ask People For Recommendations

Ask friends, family members and colleagues for additional ideas if you need them. Make a list of the themes that you like the best and ask people what they think. They may say they’re good ideas – or save you from making a mistake.

If your friends can’t provide any suggestions, check out such things as Facebook groups or online forums (e.g. for parents). You’ll be able to see all sorts of ideas shared by other users, ranging from photo booths to party vendors and everything in between. You should also ask people for recommendations on what to include at your themed party (e.g. games).

Consider The Occasion

Before you choose a theme, take into account the occasion. If it’s a graduation, for example, you might want to go with something classy and elegant like a black-and-white motif. For a birthday party, on the other hand, fun themes like “Alice in Wonderland” or “Under the Sea” could be perfect.

Retirement parties offer plenty of possibilities as well. You could go with something nostalgic like 1950s America or 1970s Britain – complete with music, food and décor from those eras. If it’s an engagement celebration, you might want to go with something like a “Love Story” theme.

Think Of The Venue

In many ways, your theme should be developed around the location where the party will be held. If it’s outdoors, you might want to consider water activities (e.g. pool parties or water slides) or sports games. Make sure there will be enough space for your guests to spread out and that there will be plenty of activities available.

If your party’s indoors, you could host a disco or live band (and get people to dress up). In this case, you’ll need to take the noise levels into account (e.g. loud music and laughing). Also, think of the neighbors when deciding how late will the party be going on (or how you can make the event quieter).

Create A Budget

This is something you need to establish before you plan anything, so you don’t overspend. You’ll need to set a budget for both the food and drinks as well as the decorations and activities. It may be that some options you’d have liked are too expensive or you need to find ways to save money.

If you’re looking for affordable party themes, consider choosing a themed potluck or BYOB party. They are perfect for those on a tight budget, as they allow guests to bring their own food and drinks. Another affordable option is to choose an activity-based party theme, such as a pool party or games night.

Whilst they are typically less expensive than traditional themed parties, they can still be a lot of fun for guests of all ages. If you’re looking to splurge on your party, consider choosing a themed costume party or an elegant evening do. They can be more expensive than other options, but they offer a unique and memorable experience for guests.

Think Of The Age Range

Kids

If you’re hosting a kids’ party they’ll need to remain active and stimulated a lot of the time. The only time you may get some peace is when they sit down to eat! Some popular kids’ party themes are:

• pirates
• princesses/kings
• under the sea creatures
• superheroes

Teenagers

Teenagers are a little more independent and will want to do things their own way – and they also like to be around other teenagers. You could consider a:

• beach party
• pajama party
• movie night
• bowling
• ice skating
• outdoor pursuit center
• gaming night (e.g. Fortnite theme)

Adults

When it comes to adults, the sky’s the limit and you can go with pretty much any theme as long as there’s food, drinks, and music involved. Some popular adult party themes are:

• masquerade ball
• 70s/80s disco party
• murder mystery dinner party
• blackjack party
• disco party

If you’re having a wide range of different age groups present, be sure to have something that will appeal to everyone. This will help keep people occupied and ensure that no one feels left out.

Decide What The Attendees Would Enjoy

If the attendees have certain hobbies or interests in common, it might be fun to choose a theme based on that. If you’re not sure what they like, ask around discreetly to discover their favorite activities or pastimes. You could also go with something seasonal or festive, depending on the time of year.

Once you’ve done some research and come up with a theme the real work will begin! You’ll be busy preparing for your James Bond, Star Wars or Frozen party. Be sure to get some of your friends involved at this stage. They’d love to help and it will make the process less stressful for you. In exchange for all your hard work there will memories in the making that everyone will treasure for many years ahead.