How to Throw a Masquerade

The masquerade is a masked, costumed party tradition dating back to the Renaissance. The masquerade has survived to modern times, though it's just uncommon enough to make it a real treat for those who enjoy the hint of a historic festival atmosphere. Many practical and aesthetic considerations go into throwing a successful masquerade party.

Things You'll Need

• Party location
• Party invitations
• Craft masks
• Craft supplies
• Party food

Instructions

1. Choose a large space for the party. Masked parties are best and most comfortable in a space that's large enough for your guests to be able to move about with restricted vision and, possibly, while wearing costumes that extend a few inches outward from their heads and bodies.

2. Give guests plenty of notice about the party. Provide invitations or other notification with at least a month's work of lead time to allow your guests plenty of time to choose masks and costumes for themselves and build or obtain them in time for the party.

3. Create a theme for the party. This can be any sort of limitation or inspiration for the masks and costumes, such as a color theme where you gives guests a choice of two or three colors alone, or a thematic element such as an animal or superhero masquerade or a historic-style masquerade.

4. Offer advice and assistance for your guests in obtaining the mask and costume. Consider throwing a informal, pre-masquerade party for guests to make or decorate their own masquerade mask using purchased plastic masks and craft supplies such as feathers, sequins and decorative fabric.

5. Serve food that's easy to eat around or through a mask. Choose finger foods rather than menu items that require knife and fork or spoon. Serve food that's relatively tidy to eat and doesn't slop or leave a lot of crumbs. Place straws on the table for drinks if you expect particularly complex mask costumes.

6. Instruct guests to keep their identities secret. Tell each guest this as they enter, or include the information in your invitations.

7. Light the party room dimly and play music loudly. This will help preserve the anonymity of your guests while contributing to the party atmosphere.

8. Announce a removal of the masks at midnight. In traditional masquerade parties, guests keep their identities secret until this time in the evening.

References

• "Parties that Wow: Setting the Stage for Creative Entertaining;" Jonathan Fong, et al.; 2007