There are many things to consider when organizing a party, but throwing a successful perfect collage dorm party can be all the more challenging when you only have a few square feet and your budget is limited.
Now, before you go running to Ikea for those cheap plastic foldings chairs and tablecloths, take some time to think about what would make your awesome dorm room the perfect venue for an unforgettable collage-themed bash. Whether you're having a night on campus with friends or meeting new people from the school, you want to make it so memorable that your new roommates will want a copy for their own.
To help you get organized, I've compiled some tips and tricks for organizing your collage dorm party with these simple steps for creating an awesome experience:
Decide on Theme.
The first step in creating a successful party is making sure you have an idea of what theme to work with. Whether you want to just do a mock-up of the Great Gatsby or a basic outline of your last year's art class collage, you need to decide on something that will set your party apart from the crowd.
Listen to the Theme.
If you're not sure what direction to take, consider asking some of your friends or even the people in your dorm who have done a collage party before. You could even ask them for help with planning.
Choose a Design Style.
When it comes to choosing a theme, the design style is an important factor in making the party fun and festive.
The style can match the theme or be completely different. Your perfect collage dorm party can be as simple as a fun night out at the local pub or it can be part of a more elaborate theme such as Alice in Wonderland, The Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter.
Whatever you choose to go with, make sure that you find a design style and design motif that is original and memorable so your friends will remember your fun night.
Get Involved.
One of the most important aspects of planning a dorm party is making sure you involve your new roommates in the planning process. Remember, it's not a huge deal to agree that everyone can chip in $5 or $10 and buy some drinks, but if they have an idea of what they would like to create that night and make it happen, then your party will go over much better than if you just take their money.
Include the Guys.
If you are having a party with the girls, be sure to include the guys in your planning process. Don't let them just show up at the last minute and have no idea what to bring. They can be of great help when it comes to buying food and any other items you might need for your dorm party.
Make Preparations a Week or Two Before.
A week before the party, consider scheduling a last-minute meeting with your roommates to go over any final details. Send out an email or text message just before lunch to get everyone together and make sure they don't forget the bagels or cases of beer you have ordered.
Set the Time.
In order for your party to be a success, you need to decide when you should host it. Depending on where you live, there are certain times of day when parties aren't allowed on campus. Find out what time is best for your dorm mates and plan your party around that.
Decide on the Date.
You'll also want to know when you should schedule the party as well. If there are other events happening around campus, make sure you try to avoid them so your dorm mates can attend if they choose to do so.
Make an Outline of Events.
After deciding on a theme, you'll want to create an outline of the events that will be taking place during your dorm party experience. Here's a list to help you get started:
Come up with a list of games and activities to do at the dorm party. Remember, it's a lot of fun if people feel as though they are actually doing something or interacting with each other during the party instead of looking bored or sitting by themselves.
Decide on the food you want to serve.
You'll want to have something light and easy to prepare as well as some more hearty snacks for people who are hungrier. If you are planning on drinking heavily, be sure to have a healthy snack for those that need it.
Plan a cute perfect collage dorm party outfit.
Make sure you select a few outfits that work well with the theme of your party, but show off your personality as well. The outfit will also set the tone for the party and it will help to maintain a certain atmosphere throughout.
Find a way to make sure that everyone has their own safe ride home.
It's important to consider how you will get everyone home safely if they have had more to drink than they should have. Plan ahead and make arrangements with a friend, either on campus or off, who can make sure everyone made it home without having an accident or getting into any trouble along the way.
Include everyone in your planning process.
It can be hard to include everyone in your planning process, especially if you have several friends that aren't living in your dorm. Make sure you talk to them ahead of time so they are aware of the party and can be there if they want to be.