Today we are staring the planning process for our party! The first thing you’ll need to decide on when you are going to plan a fabulous party, is the theme. It’s my opinion that every party should have a theme. Having a theme makes every party more fun and it gives your guests something to anticipate! Even if your theme is just Candlelit Dinner & Wine party, suddenly your dinner party sounds really classy and exciting.
Having a theme will help give you direction for what decorations and invitations to purchase. It will also make it easier to decide what games to play, if any.
Here are a few theme ideas for the upcoming holidays:
* Vintage Thanksgiving Dinner Party
* Childhood Nostalgia Thanksgiving
* Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
* A Cocktail Christmas
* Winter White Christmas
The most important thing is to have fun with it, be creative and make it your own! My best advice is to throw a party that you would want to go to, even if it’s just a small dinner party. That is truthfully how I chose the themes for my parties. I get lots of suggestions but when it comes down to it, I’m a guest at my own party so I want to throw a party that sounds fun to me! Your party should be a reflection of you so make it fun for you too!
I’d love to hear your ideas! What are some themes that you’ve thought of? What are some parties that you’ve thrown that have had themes?
Emily says
October 2, 2012 at 8:10 amThe theme dictates everything from the invitations you send to the food you serve. Choosing a clear theme really helps you stay on track with your vision.
Shirley says
October 2, 2012 at 7:12 pmHi, I love your blog. I haven’t thrown a theme party in some time. These themes sound great.
Anna says
October 2, 2012 at 10:32 pmThank you Shirley! Welcome to my blog. 🙂 Theme parties are so fun. Personally I love an excuse to get dressed up so that’s why I started throwing theme parties. 🙂
Judy says
October 2, 2012 at 8:47 pmI am planning my son’s 3rd birthday party and am trying to decide between a train theme or a dinosaur theme or to combine the two with the PBS show Dinosaur Train.
Anna says
October 2, 2012 at 10:30 pmOooo, I’ve never seen Dinosaur Train but that sounds like a great theme! How fun, because no matter which the boys like they will have fun. 🙂
Sharon says
October 3, 2012 at 7:22 pmI can’t think of any theme parties I’ve thrown except for my son’s last birthday party (age 5) which was a monster theme. I like the idea of “grown up” parties having themes though. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for this series and I’m looking forward to learning your advice!
Anna says
October 3, 2012 at 8:22 pmThanks Sharon! A “monster” party sound fun too. 🙂
Pam says
October 31, 2012 at 8:55 amI’m having a hard time thinking of a theme for a 16 yr old boy birthday, any ideas?
Anna says
October 31, 2012 at 10:09 amHere’s a great idea I found if you have a gamer in the family: http://www.ucreateparties.com/2012/08/video-game-theme-birthday-parties.html#more
You could also do a Secret Agent Spy party. I think a smaller version of our Amazing Race party would be fun for teenage boys… does that help a little?
Janice Labnad says
November 8, 2012 at 7:05 pmHi Anna,
I am having a family birthday party for my daughter in law and my son’s girlfriend. The son’s girlfriend does not eat carbs. I’m at a loss as to how to celebrate, theme, dinner, games, etc. Can you help???
Anna says
November 28, 2012 at 10:19 pmAm I too late for this? What are some of the things she likes? Foods, traveling places, etc. Give me some ideas of things she likes and I’ll help you out with a theme. 🙂
TaNisha Simpson says
September 13, 2016 at 4:24 pmHello Anna,
I am turning 40 this year! I have planned parties for others but I am stuck trying to come up with my own theme (go figure). I love modern chic glam. Thought about doing a rustic vintage masquerade or a Tiffany & Co themed party. But I do not want to be so cliche, I am different and I want my party to be different and a reflection of me! Can you help?
Anna says
September 13, 2016 at 8:29 pmOh man, there are SO many good ideas! You can scroll through the parties I’ve thrown for my birthday here – https://askannamoseley.com/category/other-2/themed-parties/. I’d say my Hunger Games party was the biggest hit, but they have all been so fun for different reasons. 🙂 I love the idea of a masquerade, we did that for our annual Christmas party one year and it was super fun. I’ve also thought about doing a Moulin Rouge themed party, I think that’s next on the list. The important thing is that you do what’s most you, what you connect with, and will have fun with, because it’s YOUR party!!! Happy 40th! 🙂 I’d love to hear what theme you decide on. 🙂