Throwing a Trivia Night Party

Parties with games keep things lively.

Throwing a party for any occasion requires a little planning, and trivia nights are no different. When you want to gather friends and family to play trivia games, take a few cues from the games themselves. Guessing games are entertaining ways to not only test your knowledge base, but they tend to get people laughing. And because the focus tends to be on the games themselves, you can decorate simply, or go wild with quiz touches everywhere and costumed guests. Have a batch of kooky prizes to offer winners of rounds, or of a trivia tournament.

Things You'll Need

• Notepad and pencils
• Paper invitations or e-vites
• Food
• Beverages
• Ice
• Beverage glasses or cups
• Serving plates, platters, utensils
• Dishware
• Eating utensils
• Napkins
• Trivia games
• Pencils or pens
• Score sheets
• Prizes
• Decorations
• Grab bag favors
• Tablecloths (optional)
• Centerpiece (optional)
• Costumes (optional)

Instructions

1. Set the date for your party and make your guest list. This is going to help you determine how much you'll need of everything. Arrive at the number of guests you can reasonably accommodate and send out invitations. If you plan to invite a large group, ask people to pitch in with food or beverages, as for a potluck, or let them know food and drink will be provided. If you are planning to have guests come in costume--such as characters or things representing items found in trivia games--make sure they know in advance.

2. Get invites out about 3 weeks before your party date. Then plan what you want to serve. If you are doing a main course only, or all the food, list the items you'll need to shop and prepare everything.

3. Shop and purchase all the food and beverage items, as well as any decorations and your own costume, if any.

4. Prepare what you can the day before the party, such as baked goods, potato salad, and items that will require only reheating. On the day of your event, plan the cooking times so everything is finished by the time your guests arrive.

5. Set up a serving area. For a group of four or six people, you can use a long kitchen counter or table. For larger groups, set up a long table and any additional tables. Cover them with cloths, and add a centerpiece if desired. The serving area will contain food, beverages, and all the items to consume them.

6. Add decorations to your party room or parts of the home where guests will congregate. Ideas include huge question marks, shadow figures, or silhouettes of famous or infamous people, places and things. Set out the games, scorecards and pencils where the games will be played.

7. Get yourself into costume. Greet your guests as they arrive, either with your customary greeting, or have an easy to answer questions for them to gain entry. Play it up, or stay as casual as you wish.

8. Serve the food and beverages or invite guests to help themselves. Once everyone has arrived and is enjoying the refreshments, set a time to begin the trivia games. Divide people into teams for different games, assign various scorekeepers, and let the games begin.

9. Award prizes to the winners of the games, and optionally, for the best costumes. Send people home with a small grab bag of amusing items in paper sacks so they can't see what they are. Keep them guessing until next time.

Tips & Warnings

• Remind your guests of the party a few days before the date arrives. If you ask for an RSVP in the invite, double-check your headcount so you have plenty of necessary items.

• Have a couple of fun extra costume bits in case someone didn't have time, or remember, to put one together. This is obviously for only costumed trivia parties, but a feather boa or two, some funny hats, a clown nose and overlarge garments or accessories are handy. Let them pick what they want to play with.

• Keep the night lighthearted and pleasant. If anyone gets too competitive, remind them you're just playing games, and return the atmosphere to one of good camaraderie.