The Appeal of Revisiting the Medieval Era
If you would happily live at a renaissance festival and fancy yourself a medieval history lover, you are the perfect host for a medieval themed party. Jesters, royalty, peasants, armored knights, ale, turkey drumsticks, colourful ribbons, quaint ceremonies, and anything noteworthy from the medieval era is inspirational fodder for this theme. Whether you enjoy the aesthetic and want to serve it up as a fun party or whether you are a die-hard medieval geek who could make it a monthly event, this is a delightful theme where all friends can have a good time!
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How to Throw a Medieval Themed Party
1. Create a Medieval Setting
Decorating can be so much fun, especially when you love your theme! You know you’ve decorated successfully when someone walks in and immediately knows what kind of party they’re at. One of the easiest ways to deck out your home for a medieval themed party is to hang large tapestries from your walls. Tapestries can be pricey depending on the size and the material used, but you can find fabric print options at lower prices, such as the famous Lady and Unicorn tapestry or a King Arthur tapestry. Other affordable tapestries include a medieval unicorn scene or other medieval designs, plus plenty more.
Another way to cast a medieval ambiance is to burn a bunch of beeswax candles everywhere. These extra drippy beeswax candles especially add an aged, medieval look. Beeswax is the cleanest-burning and most natural wax to burn. Plus, it removes toxins by ionizing the air (in other words, it releases negative ions which then bind with toxins, removing them from the air). Beeswax candles are also the longest burning candles and the wax itself has a light, naturally pleasant honey smell that’s barely noticeable but pleasant. So not only do beeswax candles perfectly complement a medieval themed party, but they’re lovely and practical candles to have in your home in general. They cost more than conventional paraffin wax candles, but the longer burn times make them more economically feasible so you actually save money.
If you have a fireplace, especially a wood-burning one, lighting it is another surefire way to add a medieval ambiance to your home. Unlike beeswax it won’t purify the air, but it’s period-specific and functional, too (unless, of course, you throw your medieval themed party during summer…if it’s 90 degrees outside, forego the fire)!
2. Prepare Medieval-Themed Food and Beverages
Don’t skimp out: your peasant guests are thirsty! Serve plenty of mead, beer, and mulled wine. For food, simple and hearty classics like bread, cheese and stew fit the bill. Medieval times were well before the Victorian era so no one was watching their figure or suffocating themselves with tortuous corsets. The goal was ample nourishment, not weight watching. So rather than counting calories, make your calories count! Below are just a few medieval-inspired recipes to get your menu started. You can always request that guests bring a dish or drink to share, too, but still provide at least a couple of hearty dishes to share.
- Medieval Peasant Potage
- Medieval Pottage Stew
- Medieval Times Tomato Bisque Soup
- Medieval Cabbage Chowder
- Medieval Strawberry Tart
3. Set the Ambience with Medieval-Inspired Music and Scents
There is plenty of fun medieval music on the internet. Play minstrel-style music or pleasant harp music such as that by Celtic harpist Sarah Marie Mullen.
Now, consider the scents. To truly immerse your guests in a medieval themed party, think of ways to engage the evocative sense of smell with these enchantingly-scented candles:
4. Plan Medieval Themed Party Games or Activities
If you or anyone you know has renaissance festival-worthy skills, your medieval themed party is the time to shine. Know any fire dancers? Sword swallowers? Harpists? Jugglers? If so, invite them to perform at your party! There are also many medieval-inspired games you can explore, or you can download and invite your guests to delve into The King’s Feast: A Medieval Murder Mystery. Murder mysteries require a little prep before the party so if you choose to do so, be sure to include relevant information in the invitation so everyone’s ready.
Another fun way to engage people but without as much of an agenda is storytelling. Storytelling is a compelling activity that’s more like conversation but with specific stories/topics to share. People enjoy this as they get to relax and are captivated in a story. There is no pressure to contribute, yet they may be compelled to share their own as well. Maybe no one has a specifically medieval-themed story to share, but invite everyone to go around and share the most interesting (or silliest) thing they know. This is a great way for guests to get to know one another and maybe learn something new!
5. Establish Guest Participation
Guest participation is optional and involves the extent to which you invite your guests to contribute or participate in any specific way. As mentioned above, this is definitely a party for anybody you know who dresses up for a renaissance festival. Your medieval themed party will feel just like their stomping grounds, so have them dress for the occasion! Encourage other guests to do the same, to whatever extent is feasible with what apparel items they already own.
Another example of guest participation is to request that each guest bring a dish to share, potluck-style. As the host of a potluck-style party, just be sure to provide at least one large dish that is both tasty and filling (just in case others end up bringing things that are less tasty or less filling). Same goes for dressing up: you set the bar, so make your medieval outfit (or whatever shared effort) count!
Of course, always choose your guests mindfully and with their interests in mind. Prioritize friends who you know would most enjoy this theme. But don’t shy away from others who may not know much about the medieval age. You never know, they may really enjoy it!
Checklist of Items You Need
These are the things you need for a medieval themed party:
- Medieval-inspired décor
- Medieval-inspired food and drinks
- Medieval-inspired scented candles and music/speakers
- Medieval-inspired games (optional)
- Medieval costume/outfit
Preparation Checklist for Your Medieval Themed Party
1. First, confirm that people can come on any chosen date:
- Choose party date/time, and preferably alternative date(s) as well
- Choose guest list and establish minimum number of guests you’d like (to make it worth your effort)
- Six weeks out, confirm guests’ interest in the party and availability on chosen party date(s)
- If your preferred minimum number of guests confirm interest and availability, have them secure calendar date for your festive medieval themed party!
2. Then, proceed with the fun planning:
- Schedule time on your calendar for each step of party prep (securing and/or making food/drinks, etc.)
- Create invitations with all the details and send them out 4 weeks before the party
- Order any party supplies and decorations 3 weeks out (so they arrive in time to prepare and set up)
- Shop for any party supplies/decorations you don’t order online, as well as non-perishable food/drinks
- In your planned time slots, acquire perishable food/drinks early enough in advance to prepare in time
- In your planned time slots, set up decorations
- In your planned time slots, prepare food/drinks (depending on how long things keep)
3. Day of Party (in your amply planned time slot):
- Prepare any foods/drinks that are too fresh to do any earlier
- Set up any quick/easy last-minute supplies and decorations you didn’t want up before
- Prepare ambience (audio/visual, candles/scents)
- Get dressed in your medieval party outfit
- Once everything’s ready, meditate or do any preferred self-care to get in a good head space if you aren’t already. You want to be relaxed, energized, and centered. You will be happier, and guests will pick up on your contagiously good vibe and automatically be happier as well – everybody’s best interest!
King/Queen of the Party
However you hold your court, so long as you plan well and enjoy the process, you are all set to host a medieval themed party. Have fun with it, try different approaches, and have another one in another few months if everyone has fun and wants to do it again! Let the merrymaking begin.
