I was recently invited to a gala black-tie fundraiser that had a vintage television theme, complete with Hollywood-style sets and actors posing as the cast from Gilligan’s Island, I Love Lucy, The Partridge Family, and other shows I’d rather forget. The party was impressive and all for a good cause, so I played along as best I could and even had a conversation with an Archie Bunker look-alike.
I don’t go to many theme parties and have only had one of my own, a Louie Louie Luau: a Hawaiian-themed event where we exclusively played covers of Richard Barry’s 1955 rock standard Louie Louie (of which there are many). That party ended with a live bagpipe performance of Louie Louie and a visit from the fire department, an ambulance, and the local police. (Don’t ask).
Theme parties and party games seem to have been much more common back in the 1940s through 1960s, the era from which today’s images come. My archives include a lot of party-game hand-outs and books devoted to elaborate party themes. (In fact, I covered the topic before.) Click on any image for a larger version.
I know there are still party stores that sell theme-related merchandise, but most of that strikes me as being for kids, which makes sense. I’m not sure why adults would require a theme or games to have a good time, though I do still enjoy a costume party now and then.
Many of the party materials I came across refer to games as a way to “break the ice.” And I suppose that may be the case, but I have to say that if someone tried to get me into a spelling competition or memory test in the name of fun, I’d go running for the door.
Many of the party games suggested in this material take the form of various quizzes or tests with the winner receiving a box of candy, a round of applause or some other “prize.”
But even worse are the physical games where people are expected to perform some goofy task, like shaking hands with paper-bag “gloves” or performing like dogs.
Other party ideas include guests taking on various personas – either that of historical figures, mythical characters or even popular food items. Then it’s up to the other guests to guess what or who each person represents, based on either a series of questions or whacky behavior. Combine these gags with enough alcohol and I guess they may have been fun.
Of course, parties aren’t all about breaking the ice and acting goofy – they’re also about the food and favors, which can also be related to a theme. There’s a lot you can create with crepe paper and cotton balls.
Perhaps the reason I don’t get invited to many parties is because I’m not much fun. I much prefer a decent conversation to a blindfold and humorous antics.
If you have any theme-party horror stories (or memories of good times) or have been wrangled into any bizarre party games, please share them by clicking on the Comments button below.
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This article was last modified on May 15, 2023
This article was first published on February 11, 2011
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