Thread: Anyone planning a party for a big group (60 to 80 people)?

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For any of you planning parties for large groups of people - 60-80 - a mix of adults and kids, are you planning on hiring some sort of entertainment - a DJ or magician?

We've hired a magician in the past and it's worked out well. Wondering if I should get a DJ this year instead. I've always wanted people to get up and dance but find that people cluster around and talk and I think that it gets boring. I usually play music off of my MP3 player but have never succeeded in getting people up to dance.

Also, with a big group of 60 people, is it even possible to coordinate any games?

If you hold a costume contest, how are you planning to choose the winner? We tried ballots before but it took so long to tally them up.

Have you tried setting aside an area which is very obviously for dancing, with lighting and the music coming from that area? If it's too easy for people to stand around chatting then they've no incentive to dance, or no one person will be brave enough to get it started - set up an area where it's obviously for dancing (no chairs or food etc) then maybe people will get into it!

It might depend on the music you're picking as well. Do you choose some popular dancey stuff?

As for games - this might apply with your situation, I'm having a smaller party of about 20+ people but a lot of them won't know each other well and don't do Halloween much, so instead of doing serious organised games I'm just going to do activities around the house that people can choose to take part in, like apple bobbing and tempt your fate

We have about 75 people and more this year. This is our 3rd Annual Party and I decided to hire a DJ. Last year I kept having to reset the ipod and change the music. This year we decided to hire a DJ and that way the music will be good and he can help with the games we decide to do. Ours is an adult party and the last 2 years we did the Winking Death game with much success. I am thinking of changing it up this year just to do something new. good luck!

We're having a karaoke DJ who will play dance music, coordinate karaoke singing, que and coordinate line dances and the like. Karaoke is always a big hit but I have always had to coordinate and run it which makes it hard to mix and mingle. We've had magicians in the past and it has worked well. Also had an Elvis impersonator once which was a hoot. And one year we brought in a male stripper for the ladies. Made for some great photos that we still use for blackmail! I've found that if you want people to dance you have to set the example and start cutting the rug first.

A DJ would be a ton of fun! They also help get things up and rolling but set up an area forsure to just dancing.

don't laugh but have you considered hiring an artist to do caricatures of people in their costume or to make balloon sculptures. Both are fun to watch and your guests are left with a momento from the party.

Our balloon artist is amazing. He can make anything out of balloons (weapons, wands, hats, pumpkins, monsters, super heros etc).

Another fun idea for large groups is creating a photo booth with a background and props. or create photo ops throughout the party...... halloween themed standees work great.

whenever we have kids, we plan kid centered activities earlier in the night or in another part of the house and hire babysitters to help out. later at night we set up pillows and blankets and show a kid themed movie.

candy bars or ice cream sundae bars work well for large groups especially when you include gummy worms ang strawberry topping (blood)

games are hard with big groups because most people want to socialize and are easily distracted. we play an icebreaker instead.

finally, i read that one member uses applause to find his costume contest winners. he even bought an applause meter.

I'm planning to do a tempt your fate type of game this year. Invited about 60 people bu I think it will work well. Last year I had a smaller group and did an interactive movie themed hunt. Went well but I wouldn't do it again haha.

Originally Posted by ajrghoulgirl

We have about 75 people and more this year. This is our 3rd Annual Party and I decided to hire a DJ. Last year I kept having to reset the ipod and change the music. This year we decided to hire a DJ and that way the music will be good and he can help with the games we decide to do. Ours is an adult party and the last 2 years we did the Winking Death game with much success. I am thinking of changing it up this year just to do something new. good luck!

Oooh, can you please let me know how you got the Winking Death game to work with such a big group? How does it work again?

We do parties of 60-80 twice a year. Normally we hire a live band (haven't done the DJ thing). Most people love the band, but the rest think it's just too loud. It really is, but I like it. You might want to think about that when planning. Just puttin that out there for thought.