Theme-Setting 101 ... Dem Bones

I know I said that lights and music are the lynchpins of successful party theming -- and I've covered some lighting, so you're now probably expecting me to discuss music. 

Thing is, music is a huge topic, so for now I'm going to continue discussing decor, as long as I'm on the topic.  -- and, will get to music later. 

So yes ... party lighting is a great idea. A close runner-up for most versatile party decorations, after your lighting, are human skulls, or even full skeletons if you can manage it.

Yes, you read that correctly. Bone decorations (fake, obviously, but realistic is good) work for a surprising number of party themes, and if you plan to throw a number of parties that aren’t, say, Christmas and Easter (a skull is right out as a tree-topper), its great to have them in your party war chest. Consider a few examples:

• Halloween (obvious)
• Mexican Day of the Dead - an artistic, geometric pattern executed from an arrangement of bones on the windowsills - or on a Dia de los Muertos altars with some marigolds and a few beers -- is just the ticket.
• Pirate party – partial or full skeletons dressed in tattered ‘pirate’garb and still clutching weapons, with ersatz coins and gems scattered around. Or just a fake treasure pile with a few skulls mixed in for good measure.
• Tiki party  -- skulls on bamboo poles around your yard!
• Cannibal party – tiki party variation (channeled through Papua New Guinea perhaps?), skulls on poles again or for the big bang, a full-on, charred-looking skeleton on a big grill or spit over a fake fire
• Wild West party – what’s the Old West without Boot Hill? Or, for that matter, a skeleton in tattered western duds hanging from a porch rafter or somesuch out front, to let your guests know where the party is.
• Swords and Sorcery party – similar to the pirate party idea; every self-respecting dungeon needs at least one hero’s skeleton in shattered armor in the corner.
• Cinco de Mayo – a single skull centerpiece, festooned with a sombrero and/or chili lights, and maybe a lifelike plastic scorpion … cheesy? Absolutely, and wouldn't have it any other way.
• Psychadelic 60’s party – full skeleton in Grateful Dead duds, sitting on couch in relaxed pose … OD victim?

 … and so on . If you still don’t believe me, consider Disneyland. Just how many bones are in that park, anyway? It sometimes seems you can scarcely look at an attraction (Tomorrowland excepted) without encountering boneheaps, even avoiding obvious examples like the Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted House rides. Bones are great for theming, perfect for getting that extra shudder or laugh from your guests when they encounter them -- thoroughly worthwhile investment. The best deal, if you can find it, is a net bag of styrofoam-over-wire bone selection, often available from outfits like Oriental Trading Company around Halloween.

A Dia de los Muertos Ossuary!