How to Set Up a Masquerade Party

Plan a splendid masquerade party for friends and family.

From alluring masks to flashy decorations, masquerade parties are similar to masquerade balls. Masquerade parties, which embody traditions of the Venetian Carnival, can be traced back to 15th-century upper-class masquerade balls in Venice, Italy. The elements of masquerade balls in the Renaissance were fancy clothing, mysterious masks and dancing. Unfortunately, masquerade balls became less popular, and the extravagant events were reduced to masquerade parties. Learn how to set up a masquerade party to entertain family and friends.

Things You'll Need

• Paper masquerade masks
• Spray adhesive
• Silver and gold loose glitter
• Black card stock
• Silver ink pen
• Envelopes
• Metallic confetti
• Gold tablecloths
• Gold and silver balloons with black ribbons
• 2 balloon weights
• Black, gold and silver crepe streamers
• Scissors
• Tape
• Gold and silver ribbon streamers
• Silver napkins
• Gold paper plates
• Plastic cups
• Serving trays
• Sour cream
• Black pepper
• Honey mustard
• Cheese cubes
• Meat slices
• Fruit slices
• Bowl
• Candy
• Pretzels
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Ice
• Bottled soft drinks
• Bottled water

Instructions

Invitations

1. Lay a paper masquerade mask on a flat surface. Spray the front of the masquerade mask with spray adhesive.

2. 

   The masquerade mask will look sparkly and glamorous.

   Sprinkle loose silver and gold glitter across the masquerade mask. Let it dry for 30 minutes.

3. Lay a piece of black card stock paper lengthwise on a flat surface. Fold the left side over to the right side. Press hard on the crease of the fold to flatten it.

4. Open the card stock paper. Write the party theme, time, date, location and RSVP phone number with a silver ink pen.

5. Put the black invitation and the masquerade mask inside a envelope. Sprinkle metallic confetti inside the envelope, and seal it.

6. Continue making invitations for all guests. Send the invitations to guests one month in advance.

Decorations

1. Remove everything from the floor. Place two long tables against the wall, and cover the tables with gold tablecloths.

2. Put three gold balloons with black ribbons on each table. Keep the balloons on the table with balloon weights. Sprinkle metallic confetti and loose glitter across the tables.

3. Tie gold and silver balloons with black ribbons outside the party location, and inside the party room. Tape the end of a crepe streamer to a ceiling corner.

4. Spin the roll of crepe streamer while walking to the opposite corner of the room. Trim the strip from the roll, and tape it to the ceiling corner. Continue hanging black, gold and silver crepe streamers across the ceiling.

5. 

   Gold and silver ribbon streamers will look captivating.

   Dim the lights. String gold and silver ribbon streamers from light fixtures.

Drinks and Food

1. Put serving trays, silver napkins, gold paper plates and plastic cups on the tables.

2. Arrange varieties of cheese cubes, meat slices and fruit slices on a serving tray. Lay crackers next to the serving tray.

3. Put bottles of sour cream, black pepper and honey mustard on the tables.

4. 

   Chocolate chip cookies are sweet, simple treats.

   Fill a bowl with a mixture of candy and pretzels. Lay chocolate chip cookies on a serving tray.

5. 

   Buckets of ice will keep drinks cold.

   Add ice into buckets. Arrange bottled soft drinks and bottled water in the buckets. Put the buckets next to the tables.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the quantity of masquerade party invitations, supplies and food according to the number of guests.

• Invite a lot of people to the masquerade party to heighten the element of mystery.

• Play music during the masquerade party.

• Gold, silver and black can be substituted with other colors.

References

• Celebrations; Masquerade Party Invitations; Yelena Johnson
• Home and Garden Ideas; Hosting a Masquerade Party; Katherine O'Brien; January 14, 2011
• Celebrations; New Year's Eve Masquerade Party Decorations; Yelena Johnson
• "Better Homes and Gardens": Snack Cracker Toppings: 10 to Try
• Victoria Masquerade Ball: History of Masquerade Balls

Resources

• Celebrations; Make Your Own Masks; Kaysie Norman