Theme Parties: Why I Love Them & 8 of My Faves

Over the years, my hubby and I have hosted our share of theme parties. Sure, we're adults, but there's still something so fun about finding just the perfect outfit and coming up with food and drinks that's so much more entertaining than just a regular hang with your friends. These are some of my favorites, along with some of the things we did to make the get-togethers totally on-theme.

Many of our friends are, like us, of a certain age. So an 80s dance party was a total no-brainer. We all donned our best 80s 'fits, ranging from Axel Rose and Ozzy Osbourne to Tom Cruise in Risky Business to an aerobics queen to the typical big-haired, neon-wearing 80s gal that many of us actually were in the 80s. 

So along with donning my Keds and downloading the ultimate 80s playlist to dance to, we featured our 80s go-to punch, jungle juice (although we used a clean cooler instead of the typical 80s trash can), complete with neon cups and flashing ice cubes to really add to the 80s vibe. We also had a bunch of 80s-themed appetizers, like that Velveeta and taco meat dip that was at every 80s party ever.

For decor, we had an 80s-themed step and repeat for photos with some great photo booth props. And, of course, a disco ball and disco strobe lights. And then? We danced the night away.

This was an early fall casual backyard picnic that was a ton of fun.

For decor, we brought in hay bales, pumpkins, fall leaves, and a ton of fall flowers. It was the perfect spot for photos and added to the fun fall atmosphere.

We brined and dry rubbed about 15 racks of baby back ribs that we smoked for hours on our smoker, served them with a side of yummy slaw and homemade BBQ baked beans, and we made a bunch of bourbon-based signature drinks, plus left out tons of different types of bourbon for tasting. 

It was a chill, fun, casual evening in the backyard that also included some of those big inflatable balls you can put on and crash into each other with — an entertaining activity that kept our aging hips safe, even as we were knocked to the ground. 

Our group of friends is down for anything, which is probably why we love them so much. And its also why we all donned inflatable costumes (I was a snail, and we had a guy wearing a toilet. There was also a squirrel, a dragon, a cat, two giant mushrooms, a skeletal t-rex, and a skeletal flamingo), and then attempted to maneuver around one another. 

Drinks were simple since we couldn't really get too close to the counter. There was dancing and a parade around the neighborhood with lights in the inflatables so we could be seen after dark. 

Boy, do I love a luau! The food. The drinks. The music. The hula. It's a feast for every sense and a ton of fun, to boot.

No. We didn't bury a pig in our backyard and cook hula pork. But we did have yummy luau food; stuff like teriyaki pork and pineapple rice. And we absolutely had a great selection of tropical-themed drinks like piña coladas, mai tais, and blue Hawaiis. 

No surprise, the music was Polynesian, and we made sure that everyone wore their favorite loud Hawaiian-print shirts and got lei-d when they got to the party. 

Related: 10 Hawaiian Non-Alcoholic Drinks With Aloha Spirit

My friends and I are all pretty casual folks. But that doesn't mean we don't clean up nicely. So, one year for New Year's Eve, we had a fancy party. We all dressed up to the nines, something we never do. We made a fancy dinner (prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes), had fancy drinks, and spent the evening as fancy people.

Of course, that doesn't mean we didn't have a killer playlist. And as soon as midnight came and went (complete with Champagne toast), we were out of those fancies and into our jammies so we could unwind before bed. 

This whimsical party is so much fun, and it's amazing to see how everyone interprets it in their costumes. Me? I was a unicorn faerie princess who farted rainbows. What's that look like? For me, it involved faerie wings, a rainbow wig, glitter makeup, a tiara, a rainbow unicorn horn, and a rainbow tail. I. Was. Magnificent.

This is a super fun one as far as decor goes. Faerie lights are a must, plus some rainbow-y stuff. Go wild. For food, we went with cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles, a sweet faerie nectar that was actually clarified milk punch, and lots of colorful munchies. 

Nothing fancy here. Just the perfect Taco Tuesday kicked back with my BFFs. We had a buffet of all the taco fillings and shells, and of course, a blender, shaker, and tequila at the ready to make the world's best margaritas. Best of all, we could do it in our everyday wear in the comfort of my home, where we all settled in for some fun (if boozy) girl chat. 

These are just a few of the theme parties I've thrown over the years. I love to be super on-theme, not just with decor but with drinks, costumes, music, and, in some cases, activities. Here are my tips for throwing a great adult theme party that everyone will love.

• You don't have to be super elaborate. As long as the drinks, food, and music are on-theme, everyone will have a good time.
• Give people a place to take photos. Include some fun on-theme props and, if you feel like it, a themed backdrop. Be sure to set it up in a well-lit area.
• Have one or two signature drinks that you've pre-batched, so all people need to do is add the booze and shake them up. Alternatively, opt for a punch.
• Don't forget non-alcoholic drinks, punches, or mocktails. 
• Go wild with lighting. It's usually super inexpensive, and it's a great way to get the atmosphere you're looking for. 
• Be sure to clearly communicate the theme and that costumes are a definite must in your invites.
• Curate the perfect playlist. Music can make or break parties. If you have good music and good drinks, that's all the entertainment you need. 

How can you not love a theme party? Sure, they can be cheesy (although a cheese theme party actually might be the next on my list now that I think about it), but everyone gets in the spirit, and they become parties you talk and laugh about for years to come.