Themed Parties: Why the Tradition Lives on

Casey Alter Mink
Alpha Phi

As all of us involved in the Greek system know we do a lot of good. Between our various philanthropies, volunteer service, and work done throughout our community, it is undeniable that Greeks are always doing what they can to enrich their surroundings. Though sometimes when we’ve completed our schoolwork and have given our all to a week’s given philanthropy, we Greeks like to have some mindless fun. I am, of course, referring to themed parties.

For decades, themed parties have been a staple of Greek life. However, the days of simple toga parties are long gone. Themes today are intricate and original, and as in everything we do, Greeks fully commit to every theme and go all out. No two themes are alike, and they range from School of Rock to Frat Boot Camp to an Around the World theme in which participants dress up representative of a different country.

Preparation for various themed parties is intensive, arduous and almost always riddled with stress. However, the preparation period can often be a bonding experience bringing chapter members closer with one another in both sororities and fraternities. For sorority women, generating creative costume ideas as well as crafting the costumes together is always an ideal means of bringing sisters closer and is ensured to produce laughs and be a fun time for all.

For fraternity men, themed party preparation is far more intricate than simply crafting costumes. Chapter members have an extremely short time to transform their fraternity house into a jungle or a barnyard or even a Hawaiian paradise. From what I’ve heard, the work is extremely laborious and is sure to induce a severe lack of sleep. Even though the men might complain throughout the process, they are also able to unite while they work towards the same goal as one.

An outside perception of themed parties may be that they are an excuse for girls to dress provocatively without judgment being passed upon them. Fortunately, those of us who participate know that is not the case at all. Themed parties are an optimal outlet for creativity and expression. Both men and women seize the opportunity to put forth their imagination and think outside the box coming up with costume ideas that are both innovative and unexpected. No idea is too abstract or extreme, and costumes that utilize comedy are always encouraged.

Of course, we in the Greek system understand that themed parties are indulgent and ridiculously silly. We are also aware that themed parties are one of the only aspects of Greek life that offer primarily nothing of merit to the community. Sometimes in life you have to do things due solely to the fact that they are mind-numbingly fun. After all, we are in college meaning we must have as much fun as humanly possible now because, as many of our parents will tell us, it only goes downhill from here. Besides, at what other point in your life will you be able to dress up as an alien, or a plumber, or a penguin on a typical Thursday night? Now is the time. I encourage you to get crafting on your next costume — I’ve heard there is a Winter Wonderland party next weekend, and you do not want to be caught wearing the same Santa Clause hat as every other person there. 

Casey is a sophomore studying journalism, media studies and Spanish. You may contact her at caseyaltermink@yahoo.com.