A Masquerade Ball

It may seem overdone, but there’s a reason for that. Masquerade balls have an air of mystery about them that no other kind of party can replicate. The sheer excitement of trying to find out who is who in a sea of covered faces is enough to bring loads of fun and excitement for all the participants.

Décor: Enhance the “mystical” experience by adorning the party venue with similarly intricate and mysterious decorations. Long, heavy curtains and low lights will do a lot to set the overall tone. Throw in a couple of grandiose set pieces here and there such as sparkling chandeliers, sophisticated table top centerpieces, and maybe even a small fountain of liquor for that extra bit of pizzazz. As for the colors, feel free to go with either a lush red, violet or blue as these three hues are commonly associated with wealth.

Food: Try to include ingredients that have a rich, sweet taste such as honey or chocolate as they would go well with the overall feel of the party. Serve the chosen menu in the finger food form, so guests are free to walk around and talk to “strangers”. It will help to have some people walk around serving the food to the guests too. Try to keep everyone on their feet and avoid having a buffet table that they may hover around in; as long as everything is in motion then it should be smooth sailing all throughout.

An Outdoor Barbeque

Outdoor barbecues are best for those who are looking for a more casual get-together without sacrificing any of the fun. This will feel like a homey and friendly gathering which is especially great for those who are looking to break down the usual “professional” barriers.

Décor: Barbecues are best conducted outdoors where the smoke won’t fill the area. If this isn’t possible, then you could go for a well-ventilated space instead. For decorations, there’s not much to go on but if you really want to spice things up, then go for simple picnic paraphernalia coupled with a traditional picnic cloth. Wooden furniture would definitely be fitting to the outdoors.

Food: Well, a barbecue isn’t a barbecue without any grilled meat. Bring fresh cuts of meat that everyone can choose from – beef, pork, chicken, or even fish! Couple that with some delicious rice, vegetables, and/or breads as side. As for drinks, any will do, but citrus-y or refreshing ones are definitely recommended.

A Retro-Themed Party

Why not bring back the 60s and 70s in your corporate event? It may seem old-fashioned, but your employees will definitely appreciate the instant time machine. Plus, the retro era displays peace and love which is sure to put anyone in a good mood. Give in to the groove and replicate the era of retro with crazy clothing and let your employees dance in the music of Jackson 5 and The Foundations.

Décor: You can identify a retro theme through its décor, hence it’s important to incorporate the details from top to bottom. Add the right mood setter by bringing in a disco ball and colored lights. A difficult but worthy addition is a black and white checkered flooring where your employees (and you) can showcase distinct funky moves. It’s particularly important to understand retro, before anything else. With that said, you can request a dress code or background color code that goes from green, red, and yellow. Or anything that contrasts or blends well, really. Don’t forget the bell-bottom pants, too!

Food: In serving retro-themed foods, you should very well consider simpler, nostalgic dishes as this works perfectly for this kind of theme.

• Vintage cocktails: Side Cars, Black Russians, Classic Martinis, Harvey Wallbangers, Philadelphia Fish House Punch, Gimlet, Brandy Alexander, and Manhattan
• Finger foods: Cheese Puffs, Shrimp Cocktail, Spiced Lamb Meatballs, Cheese Balls, Rye Bread Served with Olive Dip, French Onion Dip and Crackers Served with Cheese Spread
• Desserts: Baked Alaska Pie, Sparkling Jell-O Mold, Yodels, Ring Dings, Classic Party Fondue, Broken Window Glass Cake, Junket, and Tunnel of Fudge Cake

A Beach Luau

Of course, let’s not leave out a beach-themed party. Definitely, this is one of the most anticipated party themes. Whether it is on an actual beach or a man-made beach setting, everyone loves the beach and its tropical atmosphere. If you choose these suggestions, then be sure to add the popular summer hula dance craze!

Décor: To pull off this extremely versatile theme, you can choose from many styles: Tiki, surf-style, or Hawaiian tropical. Once decided, you can apply it to everything from your invitations to the actual venue. Line up some Palm Trees with flower bouquets on the walls and entry path for a tropical scene setter. But if you really want to go all out, then place a waterfall with hula girl and boy stands on a corner of the hall for photo-ops. For an even more perfect setting, make the bar stand out with the use of a lantern garland. Use good lighting to make the bar glow.

Food: If you’re familiar with Luau parties, then you wouldn’t leave out the traditional mood setters. These are Poi, Haupia, Mahi Mahi, pineapple, and coconut desserts. Be sure to ask your catering service about this. Chances are that they are familiar with the authentic Luau food menu and you wouldn’t need to worry about it anymore.

Key Takeaway

The next time you find yourself at a loss for ideas for your next big party, consider the aforementioned themes and have a blast with your coworkers!