Choose theme for wicked party

By Melissa Kossler Dutton - 10/11/2008

AP Photo This undated photo provided by Jamie DeBree shows decorations for DeBree's "Get Shipwrecked on Treasure Island," themed Halloween party at her home in Billings.

BILLINGS — At Jamie DeBree's house, grass skirts, palm trees and parrots pass for Halloween decorations.

That's because the Billings woman always chooses a theme for her adults-only Halloween party after checking out catalogues, Web sites and party stores. This year she announced the theme, "Get Shipwrecked on Treasure Island," by mailing invitees a message in a bottle.

Having a theme "gives you something to focus around for food and decorations," the 33-year-old said. "It's also helps our guests. It gives our guests costume ideas."

Giving a party a theme can make the planning easier, agreed entertaining guru Jennifer Sbranti.

"There are so many fabulous themes to play with for Halloween parties that are decidedly ‘grown up,''' Sbranti, founder of HostessWithTheMostess.comwrote in an e-mail. "Since pretty much anything goes on Halloween, it's the

ultimate chance to get creative."

After choosing a theme, focus on the invitations, suggested Kimberly Kennedy, author of "The Art and Craft of Entertaining."

"It's the first indication to your guests about the fun time you're planning," she said.

Anyone with a printer and access to clip art can make great invitations, Kennedy said.

DeBree and her husband, Brent, ordered her message bottles online. Two years ago, she made miniature coffins out of folded cardstock to hold the invitations to her Goth-themed party.

Once the invitations are selected, start planning the menu, said Patricia Mendez, author of "Easy Entertaining for Beginners." Not everything has to be made from scratch, she said.

"I'm all for filling in with some purchased food that the host really likes," she said.

Adult guests will prefer good-tasting food over silly food designed to fit with the theme, Mendez said. Themed cocktails, however, can be lots of fun, she said.

Kennedy also suggests plates and serving pieces that go with the theme.

"Spaghetti with ‘eyeballs' and Jell-O brain molds — that stuff doesn't taste very good," she said. "Put the fun on the way it's served."

Finally, choose decorations that bolster the party's theme.

"Concentrate on the room where the party is going to be or the table where the food is going to be," Mendez said.

Focusing the decorations on a few places makes the job more manageable, she explained. After all, Halloween is about having a good time.

"It's a great holiday to do a lot of planning and get creative," she said. "In the end, if it's not perfect, that's OK. It's Halloween."

Themes to consider:

HANNIBAL LECTER DINNER PARTY