[dane82]

i've never really had a "theme" party, just parties where there was a lot of halloween decorations, people in costumes, and food and drink. i'm thinking of doing a murdery mystery party this year, if the people who plan to come are into it. while i'm not sure i want to go crazy with a party theme, i do think i'd like to tie things all together this year more than i have for previous parties--at least in the decor. any suggestions on an easy and cheap overall decorating motif?

 

[pumpkinpie]

Easy and cheap were my big must haves this year so I settled on the zombie theme (think safe house) Here's a link to my thread if you want to take a peek though I'm not sure how you could tie it in with a murder mystery http://www.halloweenforum.com/party-ideas-experiences-recipes/125434-zombies.html

Another theme that fits the bill is just an old abandoned haunted house. You could have the ghost leave clues for your guests to help solve the mystery of their death. Cover furniture with white sheets (u can ask hotels for these, I got several last year FREE ) make everything look dusty (flour) and old. Print off old black and white photos from The Victorian era (or whatever you like keeping in tune with your overall story) and use those to cover up all your family photos. You can do the damaged walls http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=10217 and broken windows http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/88923-need-help-making-glass-look-broken-2.html#post829504 (supplies can all b found at Dollar Tree).

You could even incorporate a seance into the party as a way to get clues. As for food and drinks on a budget...always, ALWAYS BYOB and for food we always have a contest for " most devilish dish" people love sharing their creative concoctions and the cost of a small prize is way cheaper than all the food everyone will happily bring.

 

[dane82]

i like the look of both the zombie theme and the abandoned house idea (and they're reasonably easy ideas to put together too, so that's a plus). i'm not entirely sure they fit with just a general "murder mystery" theme, but the problem is, i'm not sure i know what DOES fit with a murder mystery theme. so i may just go with what looks cool.

 

[pumpkinpie]

There are several people on here that are amazing with murder mystery maybe someone could help... Here's a couple from my friends list

http://www.halloweenforum.com/members/mysterymaiden.html

http://www.halloweenforum.com/members/celipops.html

If you do decide to go with zombie Dawnski has some great ideas that are easy on the budget that I'm incorporating into my plans http://www.halloweenforum.com/members/dawnski-albums-2012-zombie-apocalypse-party.html


Another thing I'm doing is I changed my plans to just a chili/nacho bar for ease and budget, but I'm having guests bring zombie themed foods (kind of a food contest)...let me know if yould like my pinterest link (everything looks like body parts...nothing cutesy at all)

 

[dane82]

awesome, thanks!

 

[dane82]

and on the pinterest link...i check that site out on occasion but don't have an account or anything like that. the link would still work even though i don't have an account, right?

 

[pumpkinpie]

It should...if you have trouble just let me know and I'll send u all the links