Plan A Summer Bash And We'll Reveal Which Movie Character Will Crash The Party
- by Rose Moore
- – on
- in Movies and TV
August is here, and that means that the end of the summer season is fast approaching... but the long sunny days aren't over yet, and it's time to plan one last big summer bash! Unlimited funds, any location, and as many (or as few) people as you want - what does the perfect end of summer party look like?
Plan everything from the food and location to the dress code and the music, and find out which of these great movie characters would be looking forward to crashing the party... because after all, it's the perfect way for them to let loose and have a little summer fun!
Would your party attract the boozy, wild Captain Jack Sparrow of Pirates of the Caribbean, to drink all the rum and generally cause charming chaos for the night? Or is it a more family-oriented affair, with games for the kids and a BBQ for the grown ups, the kind of neighborhood bash that would appeal to Marvel's Spider-Man? Maybe you prefer something a little quieter and more cerebral, good conversation under the stars that Harry Potter's Hermione Granger would love... or something quirky, with lots of lights strung, cocktails in mason jars and wine in boxes, just like 500 Days of Summer's Summer Finn? Or if it's a super swanky black tie affair, could James Bond be the one to come by for a martini?
Take our quiz and find out!
Day or Night?
First things first, are you hosting this soiree during the daytime, or later at night? Daytime is certainly a more family friendly part of the day, and everyone gets to enjoy the last of the hot summer sun... or are you a bigger fan of a nighttime event, maybe even one that goes on to the wee hours of the morning?
Indoors or Outdoors?
It's a summer party, and to most people that means spending time outdoors to soak up the last of the great weather before its gone - are you a fan of outdoor parties to catch some rays? Or would you rather bid farewell to the summer from indoors, where there's less dirt to worry about?
Pick a Location
Time to choose the perfect location for the big bash - which of these great spaces would you most like to have your party in? Are you looking for a great green space like a park or a big back yard, or would you rather go for something with more of an urban feel, like a rooftop?
What's the dress code?
How would you like people to dress in order to come to the party? Are you unconcerned about any kind of dress code, and just want people to be comfortable (and even wear swimsuits if it's hot)? Or are you expecting people to make a little bit (or a whole lot) of an effort to attend?
Are kids welcome?
Is your summer party going to be family friendly, or is this more of a no kids allowed kind of party? Maybe you love kids and think a summer party isn't complete without them playing in the sunshine... or maybe you think that babysitters exist for a reason, and that parties are for grown ups.
How many people are coming?
How big of a bash are you planning to make this? Is this going to be a small and intimate affair, with just your closest friends over to celebrate and everybody knowing everyone else? Or are you more the kind to invite as many people as possible - and to tell them to invite their friends, too?
Are there going to be games?
Is this the kind of party where there are games available for guests to play, or where the entertainment is something a little bit different? Are you a fan of big lawn games, family games... or maybe a drinking game like beer pong for everyone to enjoy? Or perhaps you think that games are for kids birthday parties, not adult events.
What about entertainment?
Whether you are having games at the party or not, are you going to be hiring other entertainers to keep your guests amused? Maybe this isn't the kind of party where that would fit, or maybe you would love to have some professional entertainment for everyone to enjoy - and who cares about the cost?
Pick some background music.
Everyone knows that a party needs some great tunes to get the energy up and keep it there - but what kind of background music do you want for your bash? Are you going for music to whip guests up into a frenzy, or something a little more relaxed, just to keep things moving along?
Big meal, or little snacks?
Every party needs some kind of food, but there are so many different ways to do that! Are you more likely to just throw some snacks on a table and let people help themselves, or would you rather make sure that everyone eats with a big, maybe even sit-down, meal?
How are people arriving?
How are most people going to get to your party? Are they going to walk on over or take public transit, or is this somewhere that people are expected to show up in cars? Maybe this is the kind of party that people even get drivers and limos in order to get them from their homes to your big do...
Who is making the food?
Whether you are just doing snacks or going all out with a meal, who is going to be the one responsible for getting everyone at the party fed? Are you going to be making all the food yourself, or would you rather just hire a catering company? Maybe potluck is the best way to get everyone fed?
What style of food?
More options for eating... what style of food appeals to you most for the party? Are you going to go for something unusual, like Moroccan cuisine, or would you rather stick with the classic BBQ or picnic foods to keep everyone happy? Maybe you want to go fine dining, or even hire a hipster-friendly food truck?
Who's the co-host?
Who in your life is going to be the one helping you to host the party? Are you going to be going completely solo, or getting a friend or family member to take on some of the responsibility with you? Maybe you think that the best way to do it is just to hire someone, and let a party planner do their job.
Pick one of these decorative touches.
You've got the food, the music, and ways to keep the guests amused... but what about decorating the party space? Pick one of these classic decorative touches to bring your party to the next level (and to look great in photos of the event, of course!). Are you a fan of the fun and straightforward, or do you go all out?
Pick a snack food to serve.
Which of these snack foods would be most important for your party? Which of these is the snack that you just can't imagine having a party without - it is something sweet or savory? Something simple and casual, or are your 'snacks' more like carefully planned appetizers?
Pick a main food to serve.
The snacks have all been nibbled, and now it's time for the main course. Which of these foods would you want to serve at the party? Are you into the classic summer BBQ, with burgers and hot dogs for everyone? Maybe you want something healthy and different, or something super fancy?
Pick a dessert to serve.
You can't forget about those guests with a sweet tooth! When the savory food has all been eaten (or mostly been eaten, in any case), which of these dessert options appeals the most to you and your party style? Are you happy with some brownies and cookies on a plate, or does dessert have to be something really special?
What time does the party end?
Even the best parties have to end some time... what time do you tell your guests the party will be winding down? Are you looking to get everyone out around sunset, and home to the babysitters? Or are you happy to keep the party going until well after midnight, as long as everyone is having fun?
Is it actually going to end at that time?
Telling people that the party is going to end at a specific time is one thing... actually following through is another! Are you going to be making sure that people are actually leaving at the time you originally told them, or are you happy for the party to go on till dawn, as long as you are enjoying yourself?
Pick another snack food.
You can never have too many snacks at a party! You've already picked one type of snack food to serve to your guests, but in case you run out of that, pick a second kind of snack to serve. (And feel free to mix it up - having one set of fancy appys doesn't mean you can't have a bag of chips too, if you want!)
What are your guests drinking?
What's on the menu to quench your guests' thirst? Are you going to be serving up a full bar with plenty of different cocktail, wine and beer options? Are you tapping a keg? Or are you keeping things booze-free, and sticking to soft drinks and water?
Pick a signature cocktail.
Whether you are laying on the booze or just want to have an option of a tipple for the few grown ups who will partake, what signature cocktail will you offer at your party that really sums up the mood? Are you going for something strong and classy, or something sweet, fruity and summery?
Pick another decoration
You've got one decoration in the bag, but that's not going to be enough to really create the kind of look that you want for your party. Pick a second decoration to add to the first, and to really make sure that your event space stands out from the crowd and makes people remember your summer bash.
Do guests get goody bags?
At the end of the party, do your guests leave with just the memory of a fantastic time, or are you going to give them something a little more concrete as a favor? Maybe you are making goody bags just for the kids at the party, or maybe you think that the whole idea is completely over the top.
Pick a party game.
If you are going to have games at the party, which of these classic party games is going to be the one for you? Do you want something that will have people on their feet and making noise, or are you more into something a little bit more quiet - or perhaps a little bit more expensive?
Pick a party theme.
What's the overall theme of your party going to be? Are you going to match everything to a specific movie or time period, and go all out with decorations, or are you going to be a bit more low-key, and just theme it to something simple and fun for your guests to enjoy?
What's more important - conversation or craziness?
There are a lot of elements that go into a great party - when you are thinking about the most important things for you and your experience, which is the bigger deal... conversation, or getting crazy? Do you want to have phenomenal and intelligent talks with your guests, or would you rather that someone does something off the wall to keep people talking?
Are dietary needs catered to?
When it comes to putting on food for a large number of people, there can be a lot of different things to worry about - are guests vegan or gluten free? Do you have someone with an allergy coming, or someone who keeps Kosher? Are you the type to try and accommodate everyone, or just assume that people with dietary needs will take care of themselves?
How loud are things going to get?
No one wants to annoy the neighbors, but loud parties are probably the number one way to do that! Is this party going to get so loud that the neighbors will think about calling the cops (unless they are invited, of course), or is it strictly a calm and quiet affair that they will barely even hear?
How are people going to remember the party?
When the party is over (and everyone has fully recovered from their hangovers the next day), how do you want people to remember this night (or day)? Do you want them talking about what a rager it was, and all the crazy stuff that happened? Or would you rather be remembered for something unique, classy, or something else?
Pick a soft drink option.
Even if you are serving booze (and plenty of it), it's always a good idea to have some soft drinks available for the designated drivers and the little kids. What do you offer to those who don't drink? Are they stuck with water or sugary sodas, or are you going to go all out and serve them something special too?
How much booze is being ordered?
Unless you are having a totally dry party, you need to bring in some amount of booze - and now we know what your guests are drinking, how much of it do you think you'll need? Are you ordering the alcohol by the truckload (and still worrying about running out), or do you know that a few bottles will be just fine?
Pick a talking point
If you want to really boost your party to the next level, why not add to the music, games and entertainment with something that is designed to be a talking point? It can be something that guests can do, or something to add to the food, drink or theme, but it's the part you want people talking about long after the party ends.
Finally, pick a movie character to invite.
Before you find out which movie character is going to be crashing your party, which of these movie characters would you most like to actively invite? Who do you think would have the most fun with your guests and at your event, and that you could see fitting in right from the start?
