Many parties are held with a theme.  Fancy dress or costume parties are a great way to enhance a themed party.  A few rules ensue which should ensure your themed costume party is a success.

Rule #1:  The date of the party will generally dictate the weather conditions at that time.  For the comfort of your guests use a bit of thought when deciding upon the theme.  It will be a bit chilly for guests if they are in Hawaiian garb or togas in the middle of winter!

Rule #2:  Match your venue with your costume and party theme.  Host your “fairy” party at the local fairy wonderland centre, have a “Murder Mystery” party at a stately venue, hold the “Finding Nemo” celebration at the aquarium or on a boat.

Rule #3:  Take into account the guests that will be attending.  Maybe a “pimps & prostitutes” theme is not appropriate for an 80th birthday party.  If the theme is quite moderate then you will find that the majority of guests will try to dress up which will in turn ensure the success of your party.

Rule #4:  When sending out invitations to a themed costume party include a list of costume hire businesses in the area.  These can be easily be sourced through Wotado and printed out on a wot2do list!  Guests may be then more inclined to select a store closest to them and choose their costume for the party.

Party Themes for Kids Parties

Disney - Pooh Bear, Little Mermaid, Toy Story, Aladdin, Shrek, Peter Pan
Fairy
Cowboys & Indians
Dinosaur & Caveman
Alice in Wonderland
The Wiggles
The Simpsons
Soccer Party
Star Wars
Harry Potter

Party Themes for Sweet 16th

Hannah Montana
Glamour Goth
Disco Queen
Princess Party
Mall Rats
High School Musical or Camp Rock

Party Theme Ideas for 18th & 21st

Change of sex Party
Favorite PSII or Xbox character
Australian – Blinky Bill, Crocodile Dundee, Waltzing Matilda, Ned Kelly
The Letter of the Birthday Boy/Girl
Come as your favorite cocktail – Manhattan, Surfers mai tai, Serbian Fizz, Rusty Nail, Cosmopolitan
Olympian – Grecian and sporty
Rock Star
Casino Night

Party themes for Anniversaries & Engagements

Batchelor & Spinster Party
Heavy Metal (10th Wedding Anniversaries – Tin)
Under the Sea (35th Wedding Anniversaries – Coral)
Chinese (20th Wedding Anniversary – China)
1920’s Flappers & Gangsters
Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend – Marilyn Munroe & Hollywood greats

Party themes for Hens Nights

Superhero – Wonder woman, Batgirl, Super girl
Gangster moll and Flappers
Beach Party with hula skirts, coconut bra, leis
Angels and horny devils
Sexy Nurses or French Maids
Sailor Girls
1970’s disco theme
Cheer leaders
School girls
Police woman for the Hen with handcuffs!

Party themes for Bucks Nights

Beach Party – Hawaiian shirts and board shorts
Gangster Party
Blues Brother Party
Super heroes – Superman, Batman, Incredible Hulk, Spiderman
Austin Powers
Elvis and Jail House rock convicts
Cowboys and Indians

Party themes for 30th, 40th & 50th

James Bond theme
Come as a cocktail
Mad wig party
1950’s – Hollywood movies and TV shows
1960’s – music, drugs, war
1970’s – Flower Power
Black & White Ball
Masquerade Party
Kath & Kim Party
Fairy Tales – Snow White, Hansel & Gretel
ABBA, AC/DC, Rolling Stones

Christmas Party Themes and costume ideas

Red & Green – Christmas Tree, Santa, Grinch
Naughty or Nice – Angel, Ebenezer Scrooge, Elf
Christmas present or Ornament or Christmas Cracker
Biblical – Mary, Joseph, Three wise men, barn animals
Christmas carol – Jingle bells, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman
Santa’s Helpers – Mrs Claus, Elves, reindeer
Christmas Toy – Drummer boy, Jack in the box, toy soldier
Christmas food – Pudding, Candy Cane, Gingerbread man