I find myself looking for more theme ideas to help you plan a variety of parties quite often. It is not a question of not enough good ideas, but too many. Open your eyes and you will find a wealth of sources.

Start with other people. Every person you know, including relatives, friends, and even casual acquaintances, has some terrific ideas. Ask them for the best party they have ever been to and jot that on your list. Put down the major points such as reason for the party such as celebrating a birthday or a get-acquainted kind of affair. Write down those things that made that party so special in that person's opinion. Ask everyone. In fact folks, I'm asking you to pass on that same information and tell me about the best party you ever attended. Ask also about the party that they hosted that seemed the most fun for their guests.

Move to the Internet for more ideas. Keep a notebook handy to add themes, crafts, costume ideas etc. as you search for anything and browse the Internet. You never know where an idea will come from that may spark the plan for your next event.

Look in magazines and books for stories about another time and place. Who knows how much good material you might gather after reading a Sci-fi or looking through a modern art magazine. Go to the library already armed with possibilities and search out costumes, setting, and decorating ideas. The library may even have a supply of books to plan a menu from the Renaissance time or make favors for your Under the Sea party. The library with all that info in one place is a great 'party store'.

Sometimes a movie or TV program can be the beginning, the germ of an idea that develops into your next theme party. I can't watch Cleopatra or Gone with the Wind without wondering what living in those times would be like. Even Saturday morning cartoons could lead you to party ideas that are just right for the little ones.

I have even been inspired by music and art at times, which resulted in yet another theme.

So look around you. What do you see? Sometimes as we wonder through a junk store, antique shop, or a garage sale we uncover such a wonderful 'find' that it leads to big plans. This happened when I bought a rickshaw, really a homemade toy version, at an auction. We ended up using this strange possession as a basis for a business prom0otion. Don't close your mind.

So walk through life with yet another new purpose to find whatever awaits you as an idea for your next theme party.

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel