Need a theme for a housewarming party?  Take a cue from the old saying  "Bring Your Own Bottle" and throw a Bring Your Own Plate Party.  This is a prefect party for a someone moving out for the first time or someone newly divorced who needs dinnerware.

Each guest is asked to bring a plate for the new home owner. You can vary it by asking guests to each bring a plate, glass, and coffee cup.  Be sure to specify this on the party invitations you send. To add a little extra fun, have the guest bring food on the plates with recipes attached to the back.  They can bring items like home-made brochette, cheese and crackers,  mini sandwiches, cupcakes, pies, or even a whole meatloaf.  Leaving the food choices up to the guests and their culinary specialties makes for a fun surprise.

For decorations, create a table centerpiece by purchasing flatware, some ribbon and some flowers.  Group the knives in a bundle leaving an open center and tie them tightly with the ribbon. In the center place a few items of the flower of your choice. Buy a  short vase to hold the spoons and forks. Place flowers inside or around the vases.  Since the flowers will be without water during the party, wait until the last moment to add them to the centerpieces.

You can vary this party idea in so many ways.  Maybe they need furniture.  Ask guest to give a piece of furniture they no longer use.  The party would then change to "Bring Your Own Chair", or a "Bring Your Own Wall Art".

It all depends on the needs of the honoree. The concept is to help set up a new home, have some fun and make memories. I love the idea of an eclectic mix of plates and cups. Each individual item represents the friends and family of the honoree.  After all, memories of family and friends help make a house your home.

Wedding and Party Network is happy to bring you this party planning idea. Also, a special thanks to PittyPat's Porch, an Atlanta GA Caterer for the use of their southern Georgia Gumbo picture.

Everyone knows that a party is more fun if there is a theme involved. That’s why whenever hosting a party, I  try to have some kind of central idea to focus around whether it be Hawaiian themed, Mexican themed, or holiday themed. Here lately, I have been in a rut with my party theme ideas. I really needed some fresh ideas.  So, I started exploring possibilities outside of my norm. I considered weird wacky themes, outlandish themes and even considered recycling some old themes.  Then in the midst of my brainstorming, I thought of a new and exciting idea for any kind of party: Decade Themes.

With a decade as a theme, you can incorporate many aspects of entertainment into your party planning including: popular foods, clothes, games, and music. To make sure the theme really takes off, be sure and send out party theme invitations ahead of time incorporating elements of the decade. Let guests know that decade attire is required for the party. Guests decked out in decade party attire will add to another element to your party decorations, not to mention some good laughs. Think of how much fun guests will have putting together outfits for the event. You can even have a contest for the best decade outfit.

Choosing what to serve at your party is completely up to the host. Regular party food is always fine. However if you want to get creative, find or make some foods that were popular during that time. Entertainment is a must. Games are optional of course, but games such as Twister and Super Nintendo sure do bring some laughs to a room full of MC Hammer pants. Of course pumping it up with a little music, is probably the best way to immerse your guests in the decade, as well as, entertain them.  To add that special musical ambiance to the party hire a band that plays a variety of songs from the decade. If you can’t find the right live entertainment for your party, a good decade music list from your Ipod will work just fine.

A decade theme party is a fun and unique way to throw a fabloulous shin-dig.  So pick a decade and let the good times rock and roll.

If you have a relative celebrating their 60^th birthday this year, consider throwing a Party with a "Sock Hop" theme. Those born in 1949 will remember the 50’s and will appreciate a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

What You Need For A "Sock Hop" 60th Birthday Party

1) A Classic Car. Have the honoree picked up and driven to the party site in a classic car from that era. This will set the stage for what’s to come.

2) Sounds From The 50's. Don't forget the music which was a huge part of the 50’s. Hire a DJ to spin 50's tunes or turn in to the fifties channel on your stereo.

3) A 50's Atmosphere. Decorate your walls with pictures of the honoree from the 50’s that have been enlarged. Decorate with retro items. Create a 50's atmosphere by setting up a "Malt Shop" bar with 50's memorabilia including glasses containing hand-dipped milkshakes and malts.

4) The Taste of the 50's. If you’re serving a meal, consider classics like meatloaf and mashed potatoes or drive-in favorites like burgers and fries.

5) Party like they did back when. Hula hoops came of age in the 50’s, so why not have a hula hoop contest?

6) A trip down memory lane. Most of all, give the guests an opportunity to pay tribute to the guest of honor. A 60^th birthday is a special milestone and it’s a great time to tell humorous stories and anecdotes about the honoree. With a trip down memory lane the stories should be abundant and a great way to share how important the guests and birthday boy/girl are to each other.

So stroll down to the party store and pick up some 50’s theme party supplies and in no time your 60 year old birthday boy/girl will be rocking and rolling their way to fabulous birthday.

I’m always looking for an excuse to throw a party. For 2009, I decided that the Golden Globe Awards was a great adult party theme to kick off the New Year. I’ve put together some great ideas to make your Golden Globes Party fun and creative without breaking the bank.

First, you can’t have a Golden Globes party without a red carpet. Run down to you’re local store in search for an inexpensive red carpet. If you can’t find one there, you can certainly make your own. A few yards of inexpensive red fabric will do the trick.

Games are always a great idea for any kind of party. Before guests arrive, prepare a list of the Golden Globe nominations on elegant paper in a fancy font. The guests can use this list to select who they think will win each category. Before the awards ceremony starts have everyone turn in their ballot and who ever has the most correct after the show receives their very own golden globe. You can pick up a fake Golden Globe at a local party supplies store or order online. If your budget allows, you could send everyone home with a mini Golden Globe as party favors.

Planning a dinner?

When throwing a birthday party, decorations and details are very important. Utilizing color and making it the base of your party is the easiest theme you can choose. It can revolve around sport team colors, school colors, or the birthday person’s favorite colors.

Choose one or two favorite colors of the birthday man or women. Start with decorating with crepe paper. String crepe paper from each of the four corners of your room to make a crepe paper canopy. To the center Read the rest of Color Me Surpised Birthday Party Theme »

This is a very versatile party theme. It great for childrens parties, adult parties or birthday parties and involves something everyone loves – cheeseburgers.

The Cheeseburger in Paradise party theme for children is easy and takes minimal planning. Send kids party invitations in the shape of a cheeseburger. Before guests arrive, place a Welcome to Paradise sign in the front yard. Upon arrival give each child a cheeseburger-shaped goody bag that includes party favors; like Read the rest of Cheeseburger In Paradise »

Need to throw a party to thank some one? Need a Theme? Throw a fond-of-you Party. A fond-of-you party pays tribute to a special person. The theme is all about the party honoree and his/her personality, hobbies or interests. A variety of party decorations should be available to fit the personality of the honoree. You may even want to hire a celebrity impersonator or some other form of entertainment depending on the special guests personality.

Since this is a fond-of–you party, what better way to serve some tasty treats than a fondue bar. You can hire a cater to prepare and supply the fondue or rent fondue pots and prepare the treats yourself. Have several Read the rest of Fond-of-You Party Theme »

Pairing wine and chocolate: a perfect party theme for adults.

Many say that wine and chocolate cannot be successfully combined, but others beg to differ. The key is to find the right combinations of the two decadent treats. In fact, the trend is growing so rapidly that many are throwing wine and chocolate tasting parties. So why not throw your own wine and chocolate party. If you follow a few simple guidelines your party will be a scrumptious success.

Read the rest of Wine & Chocolate Pairing Party »

The Casino Royale shower theme is great for an elegant couple's shower. No it’s not what you’re thinking…much more. The idea for a casino royal theme party is for the quest to bring a gift to stock a home bar. Wine glasses, martini shaker, different sized jiggers, corkscrews, mixed drink recipes, or monogrammed cocktail napkins. On the invitation explain what the party theme is and specify that everyone come dressed as 007. With James Bond inspired looks … a tux for the men and elegant cocktail dress for the Read the rest of Couples Shower – Casino Royale Party »

This is an adult party theme that is sure to be a bit spicy, fun, and sweet. Gather up or rent some Highball glasses for the Mojito’s (a rum and sugar drink with lime juice, mint and club soda.) Now add in the spicy Salsa, not the dip but a Salsa dancer. However, salsa dip and chips would be great food to have at this party. Hire someone to teach your guests to salsa.

You can hire a Salsa band or rent the equipment needed for the dance music. You may need to rent a dance floor as well depending on your party location. Many rental companies or party supply companies can help Read the rest of Mojito's & Salsa – The Sweet & Spicy Party Theme »