Everyone loves a theme…
13 party ideas to host this season from cozy Gilmore Girls nights to kitschy Christmas chaos.
It’s no secret that I love a good themed party (see: last year’s Halloween party). And there’s something about fall that gets my wheels spinning on all the hosting ideas. Here are 13 parties for this fall/winter that I’m this close to texting the group chat about.
Gilmore Girls Fall
I love that we all just agree that Gilmore Girls and fall are made for each other. There’s a million ways to host a Gilmore Girls themed get together but here are some of my favorites
Stars Halloween: The one thing that has leveled up my annual Halloween party is picking a theme and going all in. Convert your hosting space into Stars Hollow and have guests come as one of the small town’s quirky characters (she’s so me). Extra points if everyone stays in character all night.
Btw, I’m currently trying to zero in on this year’s Halloween party… a deep dive post coming soon for my fellow avid Halloweeners.Gilmore Girls Night In: Nobody does cozy nights like the Gilmore girls. Have everyone order takeout from different spots, throw on one of Lorelai’s favorite old-school movies (Mary Poppins, Singin’ in the Rain, Casablanca), and swap stories over snacks. Dress code: sweats.
Turn your kitchen into Luke’s Diner: If one of the dreamy DIY home cafes has come across your For Your Page, it’s probably on your bucket list. Take it up a notch by turning your space into Luke’s Diner with plenty of hot coffee and donuts flowing. Bonus if the host rocks a plaid shirt, backwards hat and grumpy attitude.
For the Rom Com Lovers
I mean, where do I even begin? Here’s some fast-fire ideas for a nostalgic rom com night:
Trivia night: Romcom quotes are like song lyrics - stuck inside your brain forever even if you don’t realize they're there. Host your most avid romcom-loving friends for a trivia night and dress as a signature look of your favorite rom com character.
Iconic Rom Com duos: Harry and Sally, Kathleen and Joe, Andy and Ben, Margaret Tate and Andrew Paxton… pick your pair and dress up with a partner or bestie.
some iconic couple outfit inspo
"First Date Fit" - grab your girls, make a dinner reservation and wear what you’d wear to an early-2000s rom com date night.
DIY Wine Bar
This one’s easy to pull together, but feels elevated. Instead of a big dinner party, turn your space into a cozy little wine bar. Dim the lights, pull out your prettiest glassware, and light every candle in sight… and then some more. Have each guest bring a bottle under a certain theme – could be “wines under $50,” “a label that feels like your personality,” or “holiday reds.” Can even have them make their own labels.
If you want to take some pressure off the host, have everyone bring an hors d'oeuvre that pairs well with the wine they bring (charcuterie spread, marinated olives, dark chocolate, crudité). For the vibe, put on a French café or Bossa nova playlist. Set up a wine tasting session and have people vote on their favorite bottle of the night. Winner takes home a prize.
Camp-from-Home
Going camping in the fall sounds cozy in theory but you lose me at sleeping bags and no showers. If you don’t have it in you or your schedule to load up the car and cook over a fire, host a camping-themed night at your place. Split your guests into cabins for any team games (the perfect hack if you have a group that doesn’t all know each other). Bob for apples, roast marshmallows, play card games (and yard games). Then sleep in your own bed at the end of the night. Sounds like a win to me.
TJ’s and PJ's
I live for going all in on an eccentric party theme but I’m learning that I don’t always have to “go big or go home” when it comes to hosting. Even doing something simple like leveling up a night in with an achievable theme makes life a little more fun (and saves some stress). Plus, everyone loves an excuse to munch on Trader Joe’s goodies. Have your guests bring their go-to TJ’s appetizer or favorite seasonal snack and come dressed in PJs for a cozy night on the couch.
PowerPoint Night (how niche can you get?)
This one’s been a favorite for years, but I swear it only gets better every time. Everyone comes prepped with a 3–5 minute slideshow presentation on a topic of their choosing. Think: wildly specific, slightly unhinged, and nothing you’d ever cover in an actual class. The more dramatic the delivery, the better.
Here are some presentation ideas to get the wheels turning:
