From fairy-inspired bashes to coastal-themed ‘dos, creativity is trending when it comes to party planning.Getty Images
On June 21, Amanda Elliott hosted a summer solstice party to bring her neighbourhood together. But this wasn’t any old block party with rusty lawn chairs and a cooler of soft drinks.
This one had a theme – Palm Royale, the new dramedy series about Palm Beach’s high society in the 1960s – and took place on a closed-off street in Toronto’s tony Rosedale neighbourhood, which Elliott decorated with palm trees, tables, chairs and even a pickleball court to mirror the show’s retro country club setting.
Now, guests didn’t roll out of their houses in typical neighbourhood streetwear, like Lulus or cargo shorts. They arrived in full character, wearing their best mod-inspired outfits in sunset hues, topped off with bouffant-style blowouts.
We’ve entered the era of themed parties. Just ask Pinterest Canada, which reports up to a 160-per-cent increase in searches on everything from ‘traditional summer party ideas’ to niche ones like ‘fairy dinner party.’
So, what sparked this interest in assigning a theme to your gathering? “Having theme parties allows for hosts and guests to curate an aesthetic, laying the groundwork for their true creativity to shine through,” says Mishal Cazmi, senior edit at Pinterest.
Elliott agrees: “Themes are a catalyst for creativity,” she says. “And they join people together in a way that regular parties don’t.”
This creativity is fuelled by the constant sources of inspiration we’re fed through our phones. “We see, for example, who was just in Greece, and what their dinners looked like; we see luxury fashion events and how they’re styled – and that has a huge influence on us,” says Jennifer Bassett, chief executive officer of Bassett Events Inc., a Toronto luxury events planner. “Plus, now that we’re really post-COVID everyone’s like, let’s have some fun.”
Here, Bassett shares how to host a memorable themed party:
Create the guest list
You may assume your first step should be to choose a theme – but Bassett argues otherwise. “Your party is only as good as the people who attend,” she says. “The guest list is No. 1.” Select an eclectic group of people – it’ll lead to more engaging conversations, which means a more enjoyable time for all.
Choose the theme
After you’ve decided who’s invited, consider the vibe you want to create. “For example, I have my chill friends and I have my friends who like to party,” says Bassette, “so that’s going to influence the theme.”
Next, decide: How do you want your party to look? How do you want your guests to feel? What are you interested in right now? What’s trending? If you need inspiration, some of the most popular themed party searches on Pinterest right now are ‘Pearls and prosecco,’ ‘coastal dinner party,’ and ‘Western theme party.’
Once selected, it’s time to create a mood board of ideas and choose the decor. For example, for a fairy dinner party, Bassett says you may want to string twinkle lights in your backyard, use silvers and pinks for the colour scheme, and make sparkly place cards. “It’s actually so easy to do,” says Bassett. “I hate to say it, but you almost don’t need planners – just Google ‘how do I throw a fairy tale party’ and all the information’s there.”
Select the menu
Your theme will likely influence the food you serve. If you have a Greek party theme, you have it easy. (Cue the souvlaki, tzatziki and baklava.) If you have a more vague theme like ‘fairy dinner’ you may want to get creative and, as per Bassett’s advice, consider examples of foods with a whimsical feel: Candy floss, for example, or pastel-coloured macarons or as Bassett suggests, a sangria bar.
Mind the extras
Two other elements that’ll make your party great are good music (“just use Spotify,” says Bassett, “where you’ll find great playlists like ‘summer hits of the 60s,’ perfect for a retro beach-inspired party”), and a dress code (“it brings people together,” she says). Plus, a dress code leads to easy icebreakers, which will make it easier for guests to have engaging conversations, and therefore, ensure your party is a success.