Horror at Homecoming

The future is bright for all but one at Mayhem High…

Where to find that perfect suit or dress:

• Use (or borrow a friend’s) old bridesmaid’s dress

• Scour the second-hand shops and garage sales

• Try the clearance racks in a department store right after a high school dance

• Dress up any outfit or gown by adding beading, cording, fancy fabrics, fringe, etc.

• Not the right color? Take a can of spray paint to the dress.

• Accentuate any shirt by adding a costumed bow tie to it.

Order a personalized tiara. Click here.

You might want to create a Sash!

You can also, Design and order your own sash.

Surprise your date with flowers!

Make your own corsage. Click here.

Make a boutonniere. Click here.

To make the most of your Horror at Homecoming, you will want to transform your party space into your high school gym. Here are a few ways to do that are both inexpensive and FUN!

• School colors! Select school colors for Mayhem High and decorate using those colors. If the party is around Halloween time, you may want to use orange and black!

• Balloons, balloons, balloons! Nothing says a high school dance more. You can have them in clusters, archways, as table centerpieces, or just scattered on the floor. Nothing will make the mood more festive.

• Don’t forget the crepe paper streamers!!! Not only are these cheap, but they go a long way in pulling together your colors and theme of your party space.

• Create a “theme” for your dance and decorate your venue according to that theme. CLICK HERE for a list of possible dance themes.

• Make Homecoming Banners for the school and hang them in your party space.

• Print out and hang the signs included with the mystery (examples below)

You can’t go away from Homecoming without a picture! Be sure to provide your guests with a place to take their picture!

A few suggestions:

• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make a difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with. Pom pons, Varsity coats, crowns, top hats, boas, tiaras, sashes, etc.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter.” These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Use props like balloons, streamers, balloon arches, pillars, lavish chairs, anything you can think of, to create a staged area for pictures.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone into the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive to the disco murder mystery game.
– Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).
o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

With this mystery theme, you have a unique opportunity to do theme-specific activities and such to enhance the mystery party! Here are some ideas:

• Give your guest their own Homecoming Ticket. You can send these along to your guests with their character description once they have rsvp’d to the party. Ticket designs included with the mystery.

• Run your own Homecoming Court Election. Make a ballot box and have your guests vote who they would elect for the king and queen. Ballots are included with mystery.

• Crown Your Queen and King! At one point in the party, the Homecoming Queen and King will be announced. Have crowns on hand and/or sashes for the winners!

• Create a Photo Spot! What Homecoming dance would be complete without a posed photo to remember the night by. See directions and examples on the Decorations tab above on how to create the perfect backdrop!

• Throwing a Last Minute Party? Provide an assortment of accessories to help your guests “get into character” including: bow ties, costume jewelry, pom pons, crowns, etc.

Each month we highlight one of our customers who has posted on our blog and award them a FREE party!

To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party,

please email [email protected]

Don’t forget to add all the important details and party highlights that made your party one to remember! We love to hear about all of the hard work you, as host, put into your party. From the decor to the food, costumes, whatever. As well as how you and your guests acted (and reacted!) throughout the night! Everything that made your party one your guests will never forget — tell us about it! And be sure to attach some pictures!!!

Upon submitting, we will email you back a coupon to use for $5 off your next party AND enter you in our “Party of the Month” contest, where you could win a FREE party! Once submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!