Whether you’re planning a viewing party to celebrate the launch of the latest instalment of The Hunger Games trilogy (Catching Fire comes out November 20th) or just a Katniss-inspired theme party for your special celebration, we’ve rounded up our favourite ideas even Effie Trinket would approve of!
Decorations
The beauty of a “Hunger Games” party for older teens, college kids or 20-somethings is that it’s by definition an outdoor event. Pick a good venue – a park or woodsy backyard – and the trees and terrain do most of the decorating for you. Here’s how how to complete the look:
- The Lighting: Make sure there is plenty of light, especially if the party is being held at dusk or in the evening, by hanging lights from the trees. This can be as simple as hanging twinkle lights, paper lanterns or mason jar lights in the trees. Be sure to place additional lights along walking paths. Star-shaped paper lanterns look amazing, but people are doing all kinds of wildly creative things with DIY mason jar lights these days too.
- The Arena: How you set up the space depends on the “Hunger Games” activities, of course, but including an outdoor fireplace (or several) with seating adds to the ambiance and fits the theme nicely. Also fun: an outdoor movie screen, lounge area and laptop projector to screen “Hunger Games” music videos, like Taylor Swift’s “Safe and Sound”, film trailers and – when it comes out on DVD – the actual movie.
- The Table: A long, wooden picnic table makes a great rustic buffet table, especially when embellished with branches and greenery. Use over-turned terra cotta flower pots to elevate your serving platters and baskets and give the buffet a little more visual appeal. Tuck battery-operated pillar candles in the greenery. A large cornucopia-shaped basket – to hold bread or fruit – is a perfect detail.
Food
The “Hunger Games” books are known for their lavish descriptions of food – Capitol Fare, district breads and even Greasy Sae’s questionable creations. So here are some ideas for what to serve at your “Hunger Games” party – and what to put the food on.
- Mockingjay Plates: Rustic wooden platters are certainly appropriate, but so are some cool, DIY plates, which begin life as inexpensive, clear glass plates. Blow up images of Katniss’ signature mocking jay pin or the Capitol icon. Print them on card stock, using a colour copier or laser printer, not an ink jet. (Ink jet ink runs when it gets damp.) Cut circles to fit the bottoms of the plates (mine were 4-inches across). Spread a thin layer of Mod Podge on the underside of each plate and press a circle into place, so you can see it through the glass. Let dry. (After your party, soak the plates in water, then peel off the paper. Or, use hot glue instead of Mod Podge to affix the paper. The glue will peel off later.)
- Grilled Groosling: Between the lamb stew with dried plums and district breads, food plays a huge role in these books. The easiest route, party food-wise, is to offer up platters of grilled chicken and label it “groosling,” an homage to the birds Katniss captures in the Arena. Fill baskets with a variety of whole grain, seeded rolls, with plates of goat cheese and blackberries nearby. Add a simple green salad, tossed with a light vinaigrette and adorned with edible flowers, such as pansies, nasturtiums and herbs, and you’re set.
- Elaborate Capitol Fare: For even more fun, re-create the food from the book, using recipes for Mockingjay Cupcakes, Goat Cheese and Apple Tarts and other great dishes.
- Drinks: You could go the full canteen-and-iodine-tablets route, but it’s more fun – and tastier – to get creative with your libations. Upload an image – a mocking jay, Capitol seal, Effie Trinket or whatever – and do custom labels for bottles. Or use sticky label paper and your artistic skills.
Games and Activities
If you’re throwing a “Hunger Games” party for older teens, college kids or 20-somethings, you’ll need a couple of activities to throw into the mix – something other than “pin the tail on the tribute” or, er, “battle to the death.”
- An Inflatable Obstacle Course: When actress Kristen Bell threw herself a “Hunger Games” party, she brought in huge inflatable games, including a bouncy house she dubbed The Capitol. Even better: rent a giant inflatable obstacle course, a bungee run and jousting game, if space permits.
- Outdoor Movies: There’s just something about watching a movie outdoors, while lounging on pillows and blankets, that’s cool. Use a laptop and laptop projector to screen your flicks – the “Hunger Games” movie trailers, soundtrack music videos and (in six months or so) the movie DVD – on a giant inflatable screen, or simply use a plain white wall or king-sized white sheet.
- Archery: Katniss Everdeen is famous for her prowess with a bow and arrow, so hire an archery instructor to teach a little “Hunger Games 101.” If there isn’t an archery club in your area, try contacting your local park and rec department or scouts organization. Instructors generally have their own equipment, targets and a very clear list of safety requirements, including site inspection and lighting (which may end up shifting your evening party to an afternoon).
- Painted Shoes: If you’re interested in incorporating crafts into the festivities, a canvas shoe project can be pretty fabulous. Guests bring a pair of white Vans, Keds or other canvas sneakers. You provide fine-tip Sharpie markers in a variety of colours, newspaper to crumple into the toes, and artistic inspiration – logos, phrases or images.
- More “Hunger Games” crafts: Salute the districts of Panem with your own DIY custom-made thumbtacks and Katniss-inspired jewellery, including charm-bracelets, key-chains and pendant necklaces.
