Party Tips & Ideas

If you are planning a party, particularly a theme party, the following decoration ideas will get you off to a good start.

There are the following sections on this page:

• Decorating for mystery parties
• General party decoration ideas
• Extra decoration resources.

Decorating for mystery parties

There are decor suggestions and prop suggestions in the host guide for each kit. See Our mysteries page and click on the title of the kit to see more details and access the samples and host guides.

Depending on the mystery party kit plot, you may like to recreate the body of the victim as a decoration.

Depending on the kit, you may like to draw a mural or create a sign for the imaginary town or place.

Gina Hardin sent in a photo from Tina Vance's party which shows the decorative creativity of their group (see below). For their One Of The Girls party about a school reunion – they drew a mural on the wall of school lockers.

General Party Decoration Ideas

Your house will feel warm and inviting if you have lots of candles and pretty lights both inside and outside.

Outside Party Decorations

String strands of tiny white lights in your garden, along railings, through potted plants, around tree limbs or around the front door of your house, for a special atmosphere.

Paper bag lights

Place paper bag lights along the edge of your path leading up to the front door to create a warm welcome for your guests. These soft lights will also help to guide those who are not quite sure of your address. Another good place for them is amongst plants in a garden bed and on the letterbox. Here's how you make them:

1. Pour a few inches of sand or soil into the bottom brown paper lunch-size bags.
2. Open them into a cylinder shape so the sand holds the bag flat on the ground.
3. Push a short candle (a few inches long - so it sits below the top of the bag) into the sand. The sand will keep the candle upright and the wind won't blow the candle out because the bag protects it. If the sand has made a solid base the bag will be well away from the flame.
4. Have a bucket of water handy to pour on any of the bags if they do happen to catch alight.

Inside Party Decorations

Here are some party decoration ideas you may like to try:

• Float small candles in water in glass bowls. For variety, color the water with food coloring.
• Decorate plain glass tumblers by pasting stars cut out of tissue paper on the outside, and place a short candle inside.
• Tie candlesticks with wide gold, silver ribbon.
• Clump candles of different sizes in groups on a table.
• Sit short candles on a tiered cake stand in amongst pine cones.
• Stand a candle in the middle of a dish of seashells.
• Use scented candles to give the room a nice soft smell.
• Spray pinecones or whole walnuts with gold or silver paint and cluster them around a candle. Tie with a broad ribbon to hold them in place.

Warning: Never leave burning candles unattended. Keep flames away from paper, greens, or other flammable objects. Make sure candles aren't placed where partygoers will knock them over or brush against them with their clothing. Have a bucket of water handy and a hose.

Other decoration suggestions

Fill the house with a delightful aroma by simmering a pot of water with cinnamon and citrus fruit.

Fill mittens with potpourri, tie with ribbon and hang near the front door for a lovely aroma. These can be given as gifts at the end of the party.

For a dramatic tree decoration make a huge bow out of richly colored wired ribbon and place it on top of the tree. Just make big loops, tie them together with floral wire and allow long lengths to hang down through the tree.

Extra decoration resources

Candle Goodies - All types of candles, holders and candle making supplies. Wholesale also available.

TheWorldsBestFlowers - From crochet flowers to wild flower tattoos to gardening flower wedding favors, pictures, clipart and photography via all kinds of flower gifts... a veritable flower pot-pourri...

Our murder mysteries

Merri Mysteries have over 18 murder mystery games ideal for injecting drama, fun and intrigue into your dinner party, birthday or corporate event. Order and download over 18 kits online which include a host guide, guest invitations and clue scripts. For more information have a look at our full range of mystery kits.

• Mystery Parties / Party Tips & Ideas / Party Decoration Ideas