ESCAPE TO THE CIRCUS
Like the idea of a tent, but angling for something a little more raucous? Throwing a circus-themed bash could be just the ticket.
Start by inviting your guests to “step right up” to the event, either with physical tear-off tickets or an email invite in the same style. Your tent décor should be bright and playful, preferably using plenty of red and white. Bunting, festoons and voile are an ideal way to bring colour into the theme without it becoming too childish (it’s not a child’s birthday party, after all).
There are countless types of circus performers available to bring a playful atmosphere to your event, from jugglers and magicians to hula-hoopers, unicyclists and gymnasts. In between acts, keep your guests refreshed by hiring a circus food truck serving hot dogs, mini doughnuts, flavoured popcorn and candyfloss, with vintage-cola and home-made lemonade.
LUAU YOUR GUESTS
Wish you could whisk your staff away for an all-expenses-paid holiday? While that might be a far-off dream, turn the tides and bring the warm breeze of Hawaii to them.
This is another party that can be held outside at the right time of year, although the point of this theme is to prove that you won’t let a rainy day stop you from celebrating. Taking it indoors is simply a little more tongue-in-cheek, just make sure that your venue is decked out in potted palms and golden hues.
Give your bash an informal dress code, and garnish your guests with leis and sunglasses. Provide light bites and plenty of fresh fruit, plus tropical cocktails all night.
CELEBRATE THE PAST
Everyone loves a bit of nostalgia, so if you’re celebrating a big company birthday, why not match the theme to the era that your firm was founded? Whether that means rewinding to the super-fly ‘90s or flashing all the way back to the roaring 1920s, harking back to a past decade can make most of your theme choices extraordinarily easy.
For example, if business began in the 1950s, book out a retro bowling alley, hire a jukebox and keep it playing rock and roll hits all night. If you want to ramp up the entertainment, call in some jitterbug dance instructors to give your guests a lesson before performing a professional show. Serve up much-loved diner classics like mac ‘n’ cheese, hamburgers and hotdogs, paired with cream sodas and milkshakes.
LOOK TO THE FUTURE
If the years your company started don’t lend themselves particularly well to a party theme, how about looking to the future instead? Style your party to reflect the trends of years to come, and celebrate the fact that just about anything is possible.
Minimalist spaces work very well for futuristic events, so choose a venue that can act as a chic blank canvas for your cosmic playground. No matter how clichéd it might feel, space travel and super-cool technology are definitely going to play a massive part of the next few decades, so if your budget won’t quite stretch to robotic bartenders, at least make sure that every inch of your décor is made from metallic materials and lined with LEDs.
An adventurous menu is encouraged, but novel twists on familiar foods (like liquid nitrogen ice cream) can go down equally well. Keep your guests entertained with immersive VR headsets, UV light shows and a cutting-edge soundtrack.
The most important thing is to choose a theme the reflects the values and culture of your company, and whichever theme you pick, make sure that it stays coherent throughout the event. Even if it doesn’t go to plan, spicing up the routine will boost the morale and show your team that you really do want them to have fun.
