Themes – Page 5 – The Party Theme

Winter is coming, and with it comes the need for winter party themes. Playing host to friends or strangers for events means taking on the responsibility of ensuring everyone has a great time. There's nothing more dispiriting than planning a party or event only to discover that your guests are underwhelmed. If you don't want to end up wishing you'd planned better, check out these themes and find the right one for you.Planning a party in winter can seem limiting at first. With cold weather, your options for outdoor fun are more restricted than in the summer. That just means you need to be more creative with your planning. There are great party themes for every occasion, from a children birthday party to a gala event, you just need to find one you love.Elements of Successful Winter Party ThemesThere is no one right way to throw a winter party, but there are important keys to planning a party you should understand to ensure your winter party is as successful as possible. Consistency throughout your theme is the most important principle to focus on. Whether you choose the refined elegance of a white Christmas party or the laid back approach of a tacky sweater party, the more elements of your night you fit to that theme, the better time you'll have. Nothing should be seen as a hard line -- if you love fancy wine there's no reason you can't drink it in your pajamas -- but when in doubt, if you're faced with two ideas you like similar amounts, err on the side of the one which fits your theme.Food and drinkWinter has its own flavor pallet, and you should aspire to make use of it if possible. The range of wintry delights is broad, so there are options for all occasions. Peppermint is a popular winter choice, with the cool and refreshing flavor fitting well with the season. Winter meals are often heartier than the lighter fare of warm weather months. For informal parties, consider hosting a potluck dinner at your party, and encourage guests to bring their best comfort foods.DecorationsAlthough there are many differences between the themes presented below, there are certain styles and elements which evoke winter, and are excellent fall back options for any theme. Snow is the most obvious wintry touch, whether it's fake snow on your windows, or powdered sugar on food. Winter is also commonly associated with a woodsy atmosphere, so small decorations like branches or pine cones make for stylish little touches which put your party over the top. Candlelight creates an old school feel which resonates will with more refined winter party themes. Spicy aromas dominate winter scents, so consider burning some scented candles, as smell is an easy way to create a mood in a room.The Cost of Our Winter Party ThemesIt's important to have a strong understanding of your budget when choosing from the best winter party themes. The simplest party themes require little knowledge and spending on decorations. However, committing to an all-white blowout is likely to cost you more, depending on how many white pieces of furniture and decoration you already own. The good news is with so many great winter party themes to choose from, no matter what your budget is you can find a party to fit it.The Best Winter Party ThemesThe right theme can make or break a party. Even the best plan can be improved upon with the right theme. The themes on this list are all excellent ways to spend a night, and are presented in no particular order, so simply find the theme you like best and get to work!WhiteoutThere's no more iconic look for winter than a landscape of pure, driven snow. Bringing the vast white plains indoors creates a stunning decor for your party. Whether you're hosting a large event in a ballroom, or simply having friends over for dinner, lean in to the season. The best part of a whiteout party is how easy it makes your decision making when preparing. From food to furnishing to decorations, when in doubt, white it out.To really wow your guests, trick their taste buds at desert. While people are accustomed to white frosting meaning a vanilla treat, that doesn't have to be the case. Add an uncolored extract to your frosting when making a cake or cookies to creating a surprising pop of flavor for your guests to enjoy.Tacky sweater partyHoliday jumpers may no longer be in fashion, but that doesn't mean they can't ever come out of the closet. A tacky sweater party, AKA the ugly sweater party, is a great way to gather your friends for a relaxed night together. You and your friends dust off your sweaters of old, or hit up the local thrift store to find something new, and enjoy a night of food, drinks and laughter together.[amazon box="B07B7L8XGM,B0147H8K08"]A tacky sweater makes it clear to guests that they're in for a relaxing night. There's no pressure to spend all afternoon preparing or worrying about if an outfit is fancy enough. Any sweater works. Tacky sweaters are about unwinding and having a good time.Polar partyEverybody loves cute animals, and winter critters are some of the most popular. If your party is in need of cute decor, make it a polar party with penguins and polar bears as the stars of the show. Kids love them, making this one of the best winter party themes for kids.When planning a birthday bash for a child born in the winter, a polar-themed party puts smiles on kids faces. In addition to balloons and party favors featuring the winter animals, prepare some seal, polar bear or penguin crafts for the kids to complete. Parents of nature-loving children can't go wrong with this theme.Winter workshopJolly Ol' Saint Nick and his workshop are synonymous with the winter holiday season. Deck out your party with everything you'd expect to find in a toy workshop. Wrapped presents make for excellent centerpieces, while nutcrackers and wooden trains instantly make guests feel like they're really stepping foot inside of Santa's workshop.Some winter party themes work for dining as much as decoration, and the winter workshop is no exception. Prepare gingerbread treats, and hang candy canes for style and for snacking. What's a workshop for Santa without cookies? Make sure to have some delicious chocolate chip delights available for guests to channel their inner Claus.Home chaletJust because you don't own a ski resort doesn't mean you have to keep your winter party indoors. What's a better ways to spend a winter day than out in the snow while the sun's up, and inside by the fire at night? The best part of a chalet party is the ease of customization. Simply pick the outdoor fun you prefer. Whether it's sledding down a backyard hill, channeling your inner child with a snowball fight, or throwing on skates on a local pond, how you spend the day is up to you.Once it's time to retreat indoors is where your party truly shines. Hot cocoa is a can't miss treat after a day out in the cold. For adults of age, a splash of peppermint schnapps makes for a tasty drink that warms you to the core. Gather everyone together around the fire and kick your feet up for a night of story telling and conversation together. Make sure to remind guests to bring a warm change of clothes for when the party moves indoors.Game night[amazon box="B01JYVHMVA"]When the weather outside is frightful, time indoors with friends is purely delightful. Game nights are an unbeatable way to spend an evening together laughing and having fun. The best party games allow you to adjust for groups ranging from just a handful up into double digits, meaning you can accommodate parties of nearly any size.[amazon box="B01C3IMJNC"]When snow is falling it's easy to create an atmosphere which says "we're trapped in this house," which makes for the perfect setting for a murder mystery night. If the intensity of getting in character seems a bit much, Mafia is a can't beat game of deduction and deception which can be played right at the table. For a game requiring less prep time and more flexibility on the number of attendees, a night of charades or Monikers, its modern descendant, is an easy way to simply spend the night hanging out with people you care about.Game nightWhen the weather outside is frightful, time indoors with friends is purely delightful. Game nights are an unbeatable way to spend an evening together laughing and having fun. The best party games allow you to adjust for groups ranging from just a handful up into double digits, meaning you can accommodate parties of nearly any size.When snow is falling it's easy to create an atmosphere which says "we're trapped in this house," which makes for the perfect setting for a murder mystery night. If the intensity of getting in character seems a bit much, Mafia is a can't beat game of deduction and deception which can be played right at the table. For a game requiring less prep time and more flexibility on the number of attendees, a night of charades or Monikers, its modern descendant, is an easy way to simply spend the night hanging out with people you care about.Movie marathonSometimes when the weather is too cold, there's nothing to do but bunker down for an extended stay inside. Call up your friends and grab your coziest blankets for a night of movies. Pick a theme for the night. While holiday movies are an obvious choice, don't overlook other themes. A rom-com night or an evening of horror flicks are both strong choices for your winter get together. Movie nights are fun for the whole family, so make a tradition of an annual marathon that everyone will be looking forward to when winter rolls around.[amazon fields="B00KL8SM92" value="thumb" image_size="large" image_align="center" image="2"]Summer in the snowEveryone's heard of Christmas in July, but there's nothing stopping you from going the other way with it. Sometimes all you need in the middle of a long cold snap is a little taste of warmer times. Treat your guests to all the things they miss about the summer. Indoor-friendly takes on grilled classics like burgers and hot dogs brings fun in the sun indoors, even in the coldest time. An indoor swimming pool isn't a must, but it's an incredible addition if you have access to one.Complete the atmosphere by decorating with beach decor. Lay out towels, and greet your guests with leis as they arrive. Mix up some summer cocktails, and keep the heat up so guests can dress up to summer fashion once inside. Light a candle with the scent of the ocean. You can't fast forward the calendar, but that doesn't mean you can't still bring summer to to you when you need it.Choosing the Right Theme for Your Winter PartyAt the end of the day, there's no singular best theme for a party. No two groups of guests are the same. The best way to make sure everyone has a great time is to know what you're looking to get out of your evening. If you're entertaining an important client, a classy white setting will wow them. For a relaxed night with friends, dialing it back with a simulated sleepover may be the way to go. Take a few minutes to think about who is coming and what they enjoy, as well as what you're looking to get out of the evening. Once you know what kind of a night you're trying to create for what group of people, it's simply a matter of finding the theme that fits your goals best.Do you have a favorite of our winter party themes? Is there something our list missed? Let us know about it in the comments![amazon box="B076VBQ3SC,B06XWHMTC1,B0742F13GD" grid="3"]