As the host of a house party, you may want a memorable theme that can act as the ideal conversation starter… but how to choose one?
Themes for the timid and the bold
Aside from Halloween, it can be difficult to get everyone in the mood for dressing up. But if the theme simultaneously allows enthusiastic commitment and minimal effort, every guest will fit the brief without dreading it.
A costume theme such as ‘pirates and mermaids’ allows one guest to simply wear a bandana and another to create an elaborate under-the-sea make-up look. ‘Decades’ could involve a 60s-style dress and hair… or a hoodie to represent the 2000s. ‘Historical figures’, while it sounds ambitious, encompasses anyone from Caesar (simply an old sheet) to a Viking (a LARPer’s dream). The key is allowing the guest to decide their own level of devotion.
If you prefer something simpler, you could try ‘hats’ or ‘the first letter of your name’ – the latter comes with a lot of freedom, and you may have cowboys, cheetahs, and Cinderella at the same party. A non-costume option is one that asks people to bring ‘anything but a cup’ to drink out of.
Film and TV-based themes often go down well with a crowd. Something along the lines of ‘Star Wars’ or ‘Shrek’ is just as variable as it is iconic. Or create one based on an actor or director, such as ‘Johnny Depp roles’ or ‘Wes Anderson films’. You could also choose a TV show, a genre (‘sitcoms’), or a cinematic universe (‘Marvel’). The opportunities are endless.
The music scene also provides plenty of costume ideas. Pick a particular band and their songs, or keep it vague: ‘any song, artist, or album’. This allows guests to dress up as a singer, turn a song into an outfit, be inspired by an album title, or come as a band in a group. Again, the guests can be as dedicated or relaxed as they like: embody Lady Gaga on her Mayhem tour or tape an ID to yourself and be Olivia Rodrigo’s Drivers License.
Prioritise second-hand items when sourcing your costume: visit charity shops, scroll on Vinted, or borrow from friends if you can’t make up an outfit from what you already own. A one-time-use polyester costume from Amazon is not worth the cost to you or the planet.
Hosting made simple
Now that you have chosen a theme, you can get ready to throw a great house party! Hosting may sound like a daunting prospect, but all it takes is a bit of organisation and a willingness to clean up the next day.
Create an invite list: without one, you could end up with empty space and awkward conversation, or a crowd feeling like sardines. Visualise everyone at your place to work out a limit, then message people individually or create a group chat. Preparing the house is easier than it sounds: move furniture out of the way and tidy items on kitchen surfaces and tables. The fewer breakages, the better. Although it sounds counterproductive, a small amount of cleaning goes a long way, too – especially in the bathrooms. Don’t forget to top up the toilet roll while you’re there!
To keep the night running smoothly, provide some cups and make room in the fridge for drinks. Don’t forget to also prepare a playlist and charge your speaker. On the night, keep the lighting low with lamps and fairy lights; no one likes the big, blaring light dominating a party.
As the host, you are likely to know most of the people invited, but they may not know each other. If you introduce people to one another, the shy guests might be grateful. Additionally, snacks are a useful tool for when people don’t know what to do with their hands.
Once your house is filled with costumed people and the drinks are flowing, you can sit back and enjoy the night, knowing that your bed is only a few stumbling steps away.
Just in case in case you need it, here is an article for the following day – Hangxiety: We’ve all been there
