Themes for a Supper Party
- Choose a theme to make your next supper party exciting.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
Rather than fretting about what to cook the next time it's your turn to host the group dinner party, get creative and plan an exciting get-together. Supper parties don't have to be boring or stuffy -- there are actually a wide variety of themes to choose from, such as dress-up themes and topic themes. Set the party tone with your invitations, decorate your dining room, and build your menu and drinks around your interesting evening's planned theme. - International-themed dinner parties invite your guests to experience a meal event from a different part of the world. After choosing your particular region, country or area, coordinate your decorations, food and cocktails around it. For example, if you choose Mexico, send fiesta-themed invitations. Decorate the table with sombreros and brightly-colored, woven place mats. Serve appetizers of jicama, guacamole and tortilla soup. The main dish can be enchiladas or arrechera (Mexican strip steak). Serve margaritas or Mexican beer. Play mariachi music, and invite guests to partake in a lively game of Mexican train dominoes. Pass out miniature bottles of tequila as party favors.
At an Indian-themed dinner, send invitations with photos of the Taj Mahal. Serve naan bread, jasmine rice, lentils, tandoori chicken and chai tea. Elaborate decorations for an Indian-themed dinner include rug seating around a large coffee table, hanging scarves and sandalwood incense. Put on Bollywood music in the background, and play a racy game of Kama Sutra trivia. Give guests little bags of exotic Indian spices as party gifts. Tell everyone the theme in advance, so guests can wear the appropriate international-themed clothing, such as saris. - Hosts and hostesses who are creative and well-organized can enjoy planning a murder mystery dinner party. Send individualized invitations giving each guest a mystery "identity" and clues about the character they'll be playing at the party. That way, guests can come dressed in character. When guests arrive, give them name tags and any additional props. Decorate the table with elegant candlesticks, flowers and formal place settings. Serve a formal, five- to six-course dinner, and instruct the "murdered" guest to die when the lights suddenly go out. One of the hosts typically plays the part of the detective and appears after the murder. The dinner guests then question each other in order for the clues to come out. After dessert is served, the guests make guesses about who the murderer is. The winner receives a prize, such as a vintage bottle of wine or box of chocolates.
- Plan a seasonal-themed dinner party to commemorate the changing time of year. The invitations should match the season. For example, if you're planning a July supper party, send patriotic, red-white-and-blue invitations. Hold your dinner party outdoors during the warmer seasons, and decorate your patio or backyard with twinkling string lights or Chinese lanterns. Typical summer fare includes barbecue, cold salads and a wide variety of fruits.
Throw an elegant spring party with organic white wine, roasted chicken and fresh vegetables from the local farmer's market. Celebrate autumn with spiced cider, baked acorn squash and turkey. Wintertime meals include hearty beef entrees, potatoes, pasta dishes and spicy curries that warm the belly.
Provide activities such as card games or dominoes for your guests. Choose party favors that match the season. For springtime affairs, give guests little potted flowering plants. Sparkler fireworks make fun gifts for summer parties, and small pumpkins are good for autumn dinners. If your party occurs during the winter holiday season, plan a white elephant gift-giving activity in lieu of party favors.
