Do you want to organize an over-the-top game night that makes your guests feel out of this world? Follow this fail-safe guide and your event will be all anyone talks about for weeks before and after.
Table of Contents
Elevated entertainment
Leaving your guests impressed requires elevated entertainment as the focus of your game night. There are several ways to approach this; only you know what will work best for your group.
One option is to plan one activity which lasts the entire evening. Immersive games such as murder mysteries work well to hold everyone’s attention and provide plenty of opportunities for interaction. Murder mysteries have the added advantage of allowing your guests to dress up in their best costumes and show off their style.
Alternatively, keep everyone entertained with a series of shorter games which enable more breaks, mixed groups and multiple winners! Options include light-hearted games like bingo which you can play in person or join online and more intense activities like charades or tactical multi-player video games.
Perfecting the atmosphere
The next step should be making your guests feel relaxed and matching your home to the mood of your party theme.
As any interior designer will tell you, lighting is key to achieving your desired look and feel. Opting for layered lighting with lamps and dimmable bulbs will create a cozy glow and depth, while overhead lighting promotes concentration and productivity but can seem cold and stark.
Remember to consider the wider senses when preparing your home for the party as these are key to perfecting the atmosphere. Play suitable background music such as contemporary tunes for period parties like Roaring ’20s celebrations, and use scented candles and diffusers to keep the air fresh.
Cater to impress
Take your party over the top with gourmet cuisine. You don’t need to spend a lot to cater to impress: simple dishes done well, or which look more complicated than they are, will be as appreciated as elaborate alternatives, especially if guests are just grabbing on the go. You’ll find plenty of party food recipes online or you can create a games-inspired menu with fun names.
If you don’t want the hassle and stress of cooking from scratch, upmarket supermarkets such as Waitrose and Marks & Spencer or your local artisan shops will sell everything you need, ready to serve and eat straight away. You could even go the whole hog and hire a catering company with servers which is a glamorous touch for a sit-down meal.
Before you plan your menu, be sure to check with your guests about any allergies or dietary requirements.
Pay attention to detail
While a strong foundation of entertaining games, a good atmosphere and delicious food are all you need for a lavish event, it’s the little details that set apart the top-tier parties.
Go all out with decoration to transport your guests into the time or world of your choosing. Let everyone know what to wear by giving specific instructions in your invitations, and encourage active participation in the games by carefully pairing the different personalities.
Speaking of invitations, have fun with these! They are your best way of generating excitement for the night as well as gathering your all-important RSVPs. Use pictures and wordplay to drop clues about what’s in store, or write it as if in character to reveal your wider theme.
Round off the evening with party favors so everyone has something to mark this memorable occasion! This could include classic options like chocolates and home decor or unique offerings such as Polaroids of the party, themed food and drinks, small prizes or makeshift trophies.
