Thread: How to keep it fresh and new????

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For the past few years we have always thrown a Halloween party and they have always been a hit. We've played several games and always had a good turn out. Last year was good, but SO much work and felt like it was kind of the same thing.

Any ideas on how to keep it fresh, new, interesting, different for those who always come?

Any of you ever go through this? I think i'd be okay even skipping it, but everyone looks forward to it and starts to look for their costumes before we even decide if we are doing something.

I have never had a theme before, so i am definitely thinking of that.

I don't know...i just need something to get my creative thoughts going...

This is my first year doing themes, but I do know what you mean. I've had the same party for 7 years, with added details each year. I've been keeping it fresh since I move from apartment to apartment (life of a college student...) , so a new place opens a ton of opportunities. But that probably doesn't help you, heh.
Doing a theme should really liven it up though, and you can change your games to focus on the theme or make it a mystery game throughout the night. Finding this forum opened my eyes to a ton of new party ideas. :}

Sounds like you have a recipe that works & gets guests involved.

To change things up...

do a theme
don't set it up the same- move things around
if the weather is nice outside, have a bonfire
setup the food in a different area & how it's presented

Call previous guests now & ask them what they liked & ask for suggestions on improvements

we are going with a theme. It seems to help from the feedback we have gotten. People are coming up with creative ways to apply the theme and I am having a blast coming up with ways to make the place fit the theme even better.

We have done a part for the last 5 years and this year is our first theme for the same reason... Keep it different and fun.

We do a theme each year with one or two new props.
It keeps them wondering what we'll do next

MsM

If people know what to expect, you could actually scare them by doing the unexpected. Halfway through the party all the lights go out, have candles and battery operated lights going. The music stops and scary sounds start.
Scavenger hunt in the dark, maybe outdoors?

Since your guests love your parties, just try to enjoy it no matter what you wind up doing!

We are going on our 12th annual Boo Bash this year. We have never repeated a theme yet, although for the 10th annual, we did a best of, with different themes and scenes past in various rooms. It is great. I reuse a lot of props in different ways and always build 3 or 4 new things to match the theme.

Eric

Try to think anything that can entertain everybody. Let's say, do not just stick on a horrible things but try to make it funny. The costume might be a Halloween costume but the scenes are getting crazy and full of fun.

Ibelle -- I too have experienced the "should I skip it this year" dilema because it can be a little overwhelming to try to "out do" last year's party but each year it gets better and better and before the decorations are put away I am thinking about what I'll do next year.

Having a theme really helps mix things up -- I don't change my decorations each year but I do try to move them around a bit and add a few theme related props. But we pull the theme into our invitations, games, drinks and costumes.

Once you decide on a theme -- there is so much incredible info on this site and creative ideas you won't have any trouble having a party with "fresh and new ideas" . Let us know what theme you choose.

Originally Posted by Wolfbeard

We are going on our 12th annual Boo Bash this year. We have never repeated a theme yet, although for the 10th annual, we did a best of, with different themes and scenes past in various rooms. It is great. I reuse a lot of props in different ways and always build 3 or 4 new things to match the theme.

Eric

Wolfbeard -- I am impressed that you have managed 12 different themes. I've been doing this for 7 years and am having trouble deciding on a a theme this year. I would love to know which themes you done.

Originally Posted by B Scary

Wolfbeard -- I am impressed that you have managed 12 different themes. I've been doing this for 7 years and am having trouble deciding on a a theme this year. I would love to know which themes you done.

We've done (in no particular order):

- Dead Celebrities
- Science Fiction
- Egyptian
- Pirates
- Vampire
- Aliens
- Carn-Evil
- Zombie/Night of the Living Dead
- Toxic Tragedy
- Spirits of the Past (10 year anniversary w/ favorite scenes from the past decade)
- Seance "Calling all Spirits" (This was tough, needed a bunch of volunteers to surprise invited guests with apparitions and effects throughout the evening. The best effect was the interactive demon on our TV answering questions.)
- This year: Classic Universal Movie Monsters (Different movie theme in every room)

It is a challenge, since we have a limited budget, but we get our core group of guests and some new blood every year, averaging around 45 people at the Boo Bash. I do all the prop building and my wife and I decorate on our own. Some home made props and scenes are in my photo gallery if you click on my user name.

Eric