Dive Into Winter with an Icy Winter Theme Party

The Significance of a Winter Theme Party

In ages past, the cold of winter killed many people for lack of adequate shelter and food supplies. Now, we are in a modern age with technology to keep us alive, even though we are so changed from our ancient ancestors who perfected the survival skills necessary to survive colder climates. If you live somewhere with a dreadfully cold winter but have the means to stay comfortably alive – that is, with proper heat, warm clothing, and ample food, that is reason to celebrate. So rather than mourn the coldest, darkest time of year, embrace it with a winter theme party! If a snow party is too ‘soft’ for you and you need something a little more dramatic and striking, this party focuses on a sleek icy aesthetic. So let’s go ahead and indulge in the beauty of an icescape and create it with a winter themed party.

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How to Throw a Winter Theme Party

1. Turn Your Home Into an Ice Castle (or Cave)

The feel for a winter theme is smooth and icy. Think of icicles hanging clear, still and angular during a quiet winter day. To create this effect, hang icicle garlands or icicle lights. Pin up paper streamers and snowflakes in cool colours like light purples and blues. These will especially cast a magical feel.

The idea is to create a wintry vibe where guests walk in and are transported to an icy fairytale. While party decorations can get pricy depending on how elaborate you get, you can usually find inexpensive party supplies if you know where to look. Here are a few ice-inspired ideas to get you started:

• Acrylic icicles
• Curtain string lights
• Blue acrylic gems
• Crystal acrylic gems
• Silver glitter ice skate straws (set of 12)

2. Prepare Winter Themed Party Refreshments

How can you incorporate an ice-theme into food and beverages when everyone probably just wants a hot bowl of soup and bread? By focusing on the drinks: serve the hot foods to nourish, and then serve drinks from a mini ice bar! While it isn’t practical to freeze out your home to accommodate an actual ice luge, you can have your own makeshift version of an ice bar by freezing ice cubes in various shapes and keeping them in insulated ice buckets with premade choice cocktails sticking out of them. Or keep the cocktail glasses/cups propped in the ice, along with the drink bottles, and then prepare each cocktail as needed. Here are some delicious recipes for inspiration:

• Winter minestrone
• Roasted winter root vegetables
• Frozen cupcakes
• Winter fruit compote with cognac
• Icy party punch (non-alcoholic)
• Melted ice cream white Russian
• Similar snow-themed wintry recipes for a snow party

3. Set the Ambience with an Icy Playlist or Soundscape

Background music is key for a party’s vibe. If you’re having a winter theme dance party where music is part of the main attraction, you’ll of course amp up a killer playlist. But if you want people to be able to have a conversation without shouting over their drinks, you could opt to play either music or something that includes video such as background movie or a soundscape/ambiance video. There is no one-size-fits-all – your choice of audio depends entirely on the party’s energy level. But music is so very tied to the mood, so don’t just flip on the radio and hope for the best. Plan your playlist with some thought!

For music that evokes a hauntingly icy feel, play Ladytron’s album Gravity the Seducer.For a more relaxing and dramatic soundtrack, play something like this Arctic wilderness thematic music. If you are a fan of Disney’s Frozen, you could always play the soundtrack or movie in the background (this would be especially fitting if you bake Frozen cupcakes)!

4. Plan Winter Theme Activities

Time for games! If any guests have trouble opening up or shaking off stress from the week, icebreaker games (aptly named for a winter theme party) are a great way to break through and unleash fun. Here are a few fun winter theme party game printable downloads:

• Icebreaker activities (pack of 30)
• Icebreaker games (pack of 22)
• Winter games (pack of 10)

Checklist of Items You Need

This is a list of all of the physical things you need for this party:

1. Ice and winter themed party decorations
2. Refreshments including wintry/ice-themed drinks and dishes
3. Winter theme music
4. Winter theme party games

Checklist of Preparations for Your Winter Theme Party

1. First, confirm that people can come on any chosen date:

1. Choose party date/time, and preferably alternative date(s) as well. The coldest, iciest time of winter is preferred, but you want everyone to be able to safely arrive (and get home) as well!
2. Choose guest list and establish minimum number of guests you’d like (to make it worth your effort)
3. Six weeks out, confirm guests’ interest in the party and availability on chosen party date(s)
4. If your preferred minimum number of guests confirm interest and availability, have them secure calendar date for your icy winter themed party!

2. Then, proceed with the fun planning!

1. Schedule time on your calendar for each step of party prep (securing and/or making food/drinks, etc.)
2. Create invitations with all of the details and send them out 4 weeks before the party
3. Order any party supplies and decorations 3 weeks out (so they arrive in time to prepare and set up)
4. Shop for any party supplies/decorations you don’t order online, as well as non-perishable food/drinks
5. In your planned time slots, acquire perishable food/drinks early enough in advance to prepare in time
6. In your planned time slots, set up decorations
7. In your planned time slots, prepare food/drinks (depending on how long things keep)

3. Day of Party (in your amply planned time slot):

1. Prepare any foods/drinks that are too fresh to do any earlier
2. Set up any quick/easy last-minute supplies and decorations you didn’t want up before
3. Prepare music that evokes a dreamy, icy ambiance
4. Get dressed in your favourite party outfit
5. Once everything’s ready, take some time for self-care to get into a good head space if you aren’t already. You want to be relaxed, centered, and ready to host! You will be happier, and guests will pick up on your contagiously good vibe and automatically be happier as well – everybody’s best interest!