How to Pick a Theme for an After Prom

One way of planning an after prom party is to base everything on a theme, including the decorations, the food, and the entertainment. To keep things interesting, the theme can change annually.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. In the early planning stages for the event, hold a brainstorming session for possible themes. In the beginning do not censor ideas, write down everything that comes to mind.

2. In considering all the ideas from the brainstorming session think about
   the following:
   
   How interesting would the theme be to teenagers? (Yes is good)
   
   Can you think of ways to incorporate all aspects-decorations, food, and entertainment into the theme? (Yes is good)
   
   Will the kids think it's fun? (Yes is good)
   
   Has the theme been used as the school for other events before? (No is good)
   
   Does everyone on the planning committee like the idea? (Consensus is great)

3. Once consensus, or a decision by vote, is reached begin using the theme to plan all parts of the party-from initiations and posters, to decorating for the event, to the various activities planned for the prom.

4. Carry through the theme in as many ways as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Some successful After Prom themes are:
• A Night at the Oscars (all activities were based on current movies. The casino was "Oceans Eleven; the entrance was a movie theater with a ticket booth, the Velcro wall was Spiderman).
• Road Trip (all the activities were based on sight seeing places across the United States. The food was a diner. Games were played at "The Country Fair." Tricycle races were held at the "Indianapolis Speedway." The entrance was a toll booth).
• Cruise Ship (the kids entered via the gangplank. Inside everything was based on "Ports of Call" or places on a cruise ship).
• Holidays (chose activities to match different months or different holidays).
• Orient Express (different activities were based on stops along the Orient Express).
• Beaches and Islands (celebrate the various beaches and islands around the world by picking a different one for each activity).
• Look through party supply catalogs for themes that might interest your committee.
• One tradition at my children's After Prom was not to tell the kids the theme. When they arrived at the party it was a surprise. This is a way to get the kids to at least come and check out the event.
• Come up with a slogan that matches the theme. This can be used on t-shirts and in advertising for the event.