April
Fool's Day Party Ideas
Host an Entertaining April
Fool's Day Party
(FeatureSource) The origin of
April Fool's Day comes from those medieval clods who
refused to recognize that January was the beginning of
the calendar year. Their stubbornness made them ripe for
jokes and pranks.
Today, anyone is a fair target. So it takes a brave
person to host a party loaded with people who are all
waiting to pull a wild stunt.
"It's actually one of the most entertaining themes you
could have for a party," says Patty Sachs, author of
"Pick-A-Party: The Big Book of Party Themes and
Occasions" (Meadowbrook Press).
"What is April Fool's Day but the one time each year
that you can be as silly as you like?" Sachs says.
"Where is a better setting for such behavior than at a
party?"
Let your guests know what they're in for from the very
start. Mail their invitations in a tube. When they open
the mailing tube, they will have to wait to read the
invitation's details because they will be too busy
dodging a pop-out gag snake.
In your invitation, encourage your guests to dress as
outrageously as they can. Say that they can dress
backwards, inside out or as wacky as possible. You're
not looking for costumes (it's not a Halloween party
after all), but encourage your guests to dress like the
fool.
Your party site should also be a crazy character on this
oddest of days. Place as many things upside down or
sideways as you can. Put up gag signs such as "fresh
paint" and "restroom outside." Giant clown shoes or
huge, floppy hats can serve as snack trays. And don't
forget to have at least one whoopee cushion hidden away
and one doorknob freshly greased.
Your guests will want food and drink, but they knew the
risks of the party when they arrived. So serve them
silly cuisine like corn dogs, beef jerky, s'mores and
Ding Dongs. Drinks can be of any variety, but choose
something that doesn't stain because there just might be
a dribble glass or two circulating the room.
For activities, jokes and pranks should keep everyone on
their toes and entertained throughout the party. The
great thing about this is that the guests contribute
just as much as the host does. If you're in the mood for
more structured activity, however, you can always put on
a parade of fools fashion show. Give out prizes to the
most ludicrously dressed partygoer. You could also hand
out mismatched nametags to the guests and have them
search for the corresponding person.
When the jokes have died down and everyone has embraced
their impish delights for another year, send them on
their way with a gift. Of course, you're not going to
ruin the theme now. So hand out only gag, trick or
useless gifts.
Your guests will be highly amused. Best of all, they'll
already be plotting ways to get you back on next April
Fool's Day.
These and other hints come from Sachs' "Pick-A-Party
:
The Big Book of Party Themes and Occasions," which
offers celebration tips for almost every holiday or
event.
Holiday Decorating Ideas
