How to Throw a Masquerade
- 1). Choose a large space for the party. Masked parties are best and most comfortable in a space that's large enough for your guests to be able to move about with restricted vision and, possibly, while wearing costumes that extend a few inches outward from their heads and bodies.
- 2). Give guests plenty of notice about the party. Provide invitations or other notification with at least a month's work of lead time to allow your guests plenty of time to choose masks and costumes for themselves and build or obtain them in time for the party.
- 3). Create a theme for the party. This can be any sort of limitation or inspiration for the masks and costumes, such as a color theme where you gives guests a choice of two or three colors alone, or a thematic element such as an animal or superhero masquerade or a historic-style masquerade.
- 4). Offer advice and assistance for your guests in obtaining the mask and costume. Consider throwing a informal, pre-masquerade party for guests to make or decorate their own masquerade mask using purchased plastic masks and craft supplies such as feathers, sequins and decorative fabric.
- 5). Serve food that's easy to eat around or through a mask. Choose finger foods rather than menu items that require knife and fork or spoon. Serve food that's relatively tidy to eat and doesn't slop or leave a lot of crumbs. Place straws on the table for drinks if you expect particularly complex mask costumes.
- 6). Instruct guests to keep their identities secret. Tell each guest this as they enter, or include the information in your invitations.
- 7). Light the party room dimly and play music loudly. This will help preserve the anonymity of your guests while contributing to the party atmosphere.
- 8). Announce a removal of the masks at midnight. In traditional masquerade parties, guests keep their identities secret until this time in the evening.
Source...