There’s a sort of art to throwing a party, especially if you want it to be a little crazy. The more creative you are in your planning skills, the more memorable it will be, and your guests will be talking about it for years to come. Here are a few ideas to get you started so you can plan your own wild and wooly shindig:
Think outside the box. Start brainstorming: what kind of a party have you never been to that you think would be fun, crazy, hilarious, etc. Do some research online for different theme ideas. Costume parties are a lot of fun, and including a Hollywood theme can jazz them up, especially if you make it even more specific by calling it a Hollywood Scandal Party. Invite your guests to prepare by scanning the tabloids before designing their costumes. Or you can plan a variation on this theme by calling it a “Too Soon?” party that encourages guests to somehow embody any sort of disaster, natural or otherwise, that may have occurred in recent memory. Often totally tasteless, but your guests will have a great time showing off their creativity. A “Superhero or Villain” party allows your guests to be funny, sexy, creative, or completely nuts, especially if their hero or villain of choice is animal-themed.
Go shopping! You can help yourself brainstorm by visiting party stores to see what sorts of supplies they have in stock. This will also give you an idea of how much to budget for when you decide on the kind of over-the-top extravaganza you’ve got cooking.
An eye for detail. Once you’ve selected your theme, begin pondering ways to amp it up. How can your food reflect the theme? Can you choose specific colors or shapes? What sorts of decorations did you see on your shopping expedition? Be as specific as possible when laying your plans.
A little help from your friends. Friends make invaluable resources, so use ‘em! The more creative of your buddies will love to be in on the planning process, and they may be able to come up with some wilder notions than even you thought of. Make a night of it: call three or four of your besties together, have a few drinks, and see who can come up with the craziest, most over-the-top party ideas ever planned by humankind. Remember to have someone take notes.
Budget. Don’t forget to keep track of all your spending. You can help yourself out by budgeting during the brainstorming process, which will keep you on track when you begin the actual purchasing (visiting the party stores in advance should give you an idea of what you can get, and how much you can get it for). Your theme may be totally insane, but you shouldn’t go crazy when you hit the mall. And though you probably won’t be able to afford them, but if you’ve got a windfall and suddenly find that you can, think: fire dancers San Francisco! (It helps if you’re a Californian.)
