Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Consider your physical location when you're ready to find the ideal murder mystery theme. Smaller areas, such as an apartment or a more compact house, might require a simpler theme while additional square footage may afford you to choose a more complex mystery. Renting a ballroom or conference center is an option but you should still consider how much space you'll have for your murder mystery to unfold as the space will directly relate to how much interaction your guests will have with one another. Less space will mean a more condensed plot while additional space may make an expansive plot a possibility.
Decide on a time period and location theme that will work with your decorating and costume abilities. For example, if you're working on a limited budget, you don't want to plan a party in ancient China as it will require far more decor and complexity in costumes than a party set in a modern setting, such as a mansion in New York City. The more historical, and more foreign, your theme is, the more preparation will be required; extra preparation is often accompanied by additional cost.
Think about the individuals who will be attending your party. The number of guests is extremely important, as some murder mysteries work better with large amounts of people while others are best with fewer guests. Estimate the number of people who will be attending your party before choosing the ideal murder mystery theme.
Modify your party according to the age of your guests. For example, an adult-oriented medieval theme might not be appropriate for children or young teenagers. If you're working with a variety of ages - from kids to older adults - try to find a theme that will be acceptable for the youngest guest as well as the oldest. Some of the more whimsical murder mystery themes, such as "Wizard of Oz" or fantasy themes, are ideal for capturing the imagination of young and old alike.
Consider the personalities of the people you're inviting to your party. Outgoing party members will be more willing to act in character and accept dramatic roles, while more reserved guests may be hesitant to act too far outside their own personalities. Choose a theme that allows individuals with differing character traits to shine. When assigning characters to your guests, think about which character is best suited to which personality. Some murder mystery themes offer a wide range of versatile characters while others feature characters that are similar in nature. It's best to choose a theme with characters different enough so that everyone attending can participate without feeling uncomfortable.
Commit to a difficulty level for your party. If your party is for children or young adults, you might want to choose a murder mystery theme with minimal difficulty but if your party is for adults, it's safe to go with a more challenging theme. Take into account whether or not your guests have participated in murder mystery parties in the past. Those who are seasoned attendees will probably be happier with a more challenging event.
Pick your murder mystery theme and stick with it from beginning to end. If you choose a 1920's theme, people should not be using their cellphones during the party. If you're acting out a mystery that takes place in medieval times, people should not be using any electronics at all. In fact, they should probably eat dinner with their hands! The closer you adhere to every theme of the party, the more realistic the fantasy will become. When the murderer is identified and the guests return to their own lives, they'll leave with happy memories of a delightful party with an ideal murder mystery theme.