Lately, it seems as though the blogosphere is buzzing with talk of the 1920's. Flappers, the Prohibition, Jazz, the Charleston... I have read about this era on several blogs, thought I would tell you about a 1920's themed Murder Mystery Party that I hosted.
...........
I rented out a 1920's house in Hollywood from a bizarre lady who was stuck in a 1920's time-lock, so her home was perfect for the party. It was already decorated in a gorgeous art-deco style, so I didn't need to spend any money adding 1920's decorations. It had a library, and even a secret staircase - I was so excited when I found it.
There were 30 guests coming to the dinner party, and they each had been prepped a month ahead of time with information on their characters. I bought a Murder Mystery game for 20 people from here, and then just wrote in 10 extra characters. The invitations came with instructions on how to do The Charleston, and also a list of 1920's vocabulary, so when everyone came, they were the perfect picture of someone from that era. The game even supplied play-money, so people could blackmail one another, or pay others for information. Unlike other Murder Mystery games I had played, this one gave you full freedom to roam around the house and discover clues, and meet new people. It took about 6 hours to play.
It was such a fun time. Everyone really got into their characters. There were several murders. Apart from the first main murder, Eric's character was conspired against, and killed on the staircase. Heather poisoned my dear Brian, whose death was mourned greatly. And in the end Ashley won best costume.
So if you love unique ways to get together with friends, or enjoy the 1920's era - I highly recommend throwing a 20's theme Murder Mystery Party.
What is the most unique themed party that you've ever been to?
66 comments:
Wow, I have no party story to compare to that, I'm impressed! And jealous that I wasn't there . . . oh we don't really know each other, well darn it, that looked like fun!!
I love the 20's. Once I looked up all the "slang" from then and went around speaking it.
The party sounded very fun. Love the pictures! :D
Hannah
dionne,
I would literally kill (pun intended) to be invited to that party. Great idea!
The best party Ive been to is a masquerade party where we all had feature camouflaging costumes, and danced the foxtrot. So muc fun!
You all look so gorgeous!! This is such a fantastic idea. My parents actually went to a 20's themed Murder Mystery Party and my dad was the murderer!!;)
I love these kinds of parties and really want to throw one in the future.
That looks so much fun, I love the costumes and the pictures! I don't think I've ever really been to anything with a unique theme, apart from where we had to dress up as what we'd like to be when we grew up, some costumes definitely raised a few eyebrows [one of my pals came as a gynacologist] ♥
What a wonderful idea! And the pictures are so fantastic!!
What a fun party! I love having an excuse (besides Halloween) to dress up!
Fun party! I love the 1920's
oh man! what fun!
you plan a killer party :D
this sounds like my perfect party! i love the 1920's style. love the pictures!
omg, what an idea! the only unique party I had was a costume party where I acted as a chinese princess lol, using all red cheongsam and white powder plus uber red lipstick :D
you're really a great event organizer, I should ask you to help me prepare my wedding day later, lol :P
Hi Dionne! Thanks for your wonderful comments on my first quilt; you made me feel better about it!
I don't think I've been to any theme parties as great as yours, but my friend Isaac did throw a pretty great "pool" party for his birthday one year. He put kiddie pools filled with water on the roof, everyone wore bathing suits, some of the guys from Sloane played in the dining room, and the Jagermeister girls came with free swag and Jager. It was pretty fun!
Totally fun. Can't believe you found the perfect setting such as that! In my 52 yrs. I have yet to have many friends who love to host parties, darn it. I threw a "recession" themed party in Feb. & it was quite fun. You know the - drank out of jars, table cloth fashioned from a drop cloth, napkins from flannel, centerpiece of Campbell Soup cans. Menu was soup, soda bread, spinach salad & bread pudding. I asked people to show up in their p.j.'s or sweats, since many of us were out of work & why would you need to get dressed?!! Great post :D deb
What a great idea -sounds like it was a ton of fun!
That sounds like so much fun!!! You're awesome for planning that, Dionne. So when's the next one?? :)
hahaha! this is SOOO awesome!
I would love to go to a 20s themed party! such a cool decade. I loved the book the Great Gatsby.
Wow, Dionne, you amaze me! I remember going to a murder mystery party long ago and for my character I had to dress up like a man! Not as much fun as dressing up like a flapper! :(
Dionne-- this is fabulous! I love the 1920s! I actually modeled our wedding after the 1920s with hints of The Great Gatsby -- this party looks so fun and what a neat idea to host a murder/mystery bash...
omg what a cute cute idea! i love it. how did you find that hollywood house?? sounds amazing.
what an amazing idea!!
This is an awesome idea! Wow, when you do parties you do them right! How cool :)
A coworker of mine did this exact same thing! Sounds like a ton of fun.
Oh my gosh... that is amazing!!! SO FUN! what a fabulous idea. You are so creative, girl!
So fun! My friend had a 1930's party in honor of her 30th. Cute idea~
oh dionne... if only you could come to utah in october to see the halloween film we're doing this year! it is right around this era... and i may even have a part doing the charleston!
how absolutely fun! we've held murder mystery parties before, maybe we'll have the gumption to do it again now that i've seen these. fab!
Wow! That's such an authentic looking 1920s party!!
I have so got to do one of those some time!!
ohh what a great party planner you are!! You look great! {everyone did!} Looks like such a fun time!
You look unbelievably gorgeous, love it when people really go the whole hog. Your costume is beautiful, i LOVE that headband! Im planning a big 30th next year and thinking of a theme, this is divine inspiration...
So jealous, I want to go to a party like that! But I'm so terrible at putting together costumes. It's really sad.
What a fabulous party! And the 20s are so much fun!
No party stories (sorry!) but I do love the 20's! I'm kind of fascinated by that era... I wouldn't necessarily wanted to have lived then -- i mean, the decade did end with the collapse of the stock market and years and years of the terrible Depression to follow -- but, if I could time travel, I'm pretty sure that would be my first stop!
how fun...what a great idea...love the pics!
I am not surprised that you would be such a great hostess! I can only imagine how awesome the invitations were... and you look great!
P.S. I really don't want to jinx myself but it's been a really lucky week. Will take pictures of the peacock as soon as it arrives :)
how fun was that party? so fun for you! i have to say i've just never had the opportunity to get to nor create a party like that, themed and with everyone really participating on every level. but it gets a girl thinking...:)
you are tooooooo amazing!
this looks like SO much fun, dionne, you know how to throw a party!
i've been to a murder mystery, it was okay. i had a hard time playing it ;)
i wish i could come to all your parties!
great party idea! We live 3 hours from a place called Moose Jaw-real name, real place- with tunnels and secret rooms and buildings all buit during the 20's and used for bootlegging from the states. It is really cool to tour and they suspect there are tunnels under the town still undiscovered still!
My weddign was a littel theme-y twist of lime, everyone had to wear a twist of lime and the drinks, favors, desserts were all lime-y!
I remember when Eric went to this! I was totally impressed by his friend, Dionne, who had pulled this whole thing off. Great job! I've been reading The Great Gatsby lately, so the 20's have been on my mind. Boy, what an era!
I love the 20's!! I also love the 1940's.
what an amazing era.... my brother always said that if he ever opened a bar it would be called the speakeasy.
this party looks amazing! we had a sushi making party for my birthday this year... let's just say we should probably leave it to the professionals.
and we leave for my bachelorette party tomorrow! i can't wait!
This sounds so fun! I love love your pretty illustration. I want that purse. :)
that is soooooo fun!!! i love love love it!
i wrote a post about embarking on my own "roaring twenties."
http://littleremindersoflove.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-roaring-twenties.html
i think we should bring back that fashion. : )
xo-
Oh wow! That looks like so much fun. My boss was considering a murder mystery party for last year's Christmas party, but it didn't pan out. :o(
Thanks for stopping by. :)
I adore the 20s =)
That party looks so FAB! I love it. The pictures are so cute. And it looks like you guys had a great time. One of my best friends throws dinner parties/murder mystery themed parties all the time. I am definitely going to suggest this to her. She's gonna love it! :)
WHOA - what an amazing party! And you're right, I have been seeing a trend of 1920s themed parties, even weddings. Don't know if many of them could touch your party here, though :)
I'm still mad that Alex and Jen conspired to kill me on the stairs. arggg
That party was so. much. fun.
... and you organized everythinG? You are just a genius and in the pic you are stunning!!!
I'd loved to play with you!
Ooo I've been to a murder party too, set in the 20's. It was a lot of fun.
I just love your photo's, everyone really got into it.
xxx
Brilliant! saw your somment on my blog and had to come over, I love the photos and you all look like your having a great time, the 20's revival starts here!
That is so cool. I love the 1920's era. What a great party you put togther and the costumes are great. How great also to have a house like that to use.
SO, SO fun! I loved a good themed party. Happy weekend to you!
Wow, sounds like a lot of fun. The pictures look cool.
Nice blog!
Oh we hosted a murder mystery dinner too and it was soo much fun. I might have to try this 20's themed one. Hope you're enjoying a wonderful weekend.
What an idea! This is something I can't imagine. You are such a great party planner. Everyone look so gorgeous in a fabulous costume. You are so charming.
dionne! thank you so much for the book recommendations :D i've heard great things about where the heart is so i'll def. put it on my list!
what absolute FUN!!! you have some wonderful ideas. and 20s! ah, ♥
oh my gosh you are so fun!! i never thought about doing something like that but that would be a blast!
Aww--how fun and cute! You look adorable.
you and your friends are adorable!! i'm new to your blog.. it's lovely! do you design all of the little logos at the beginning? (i'm sure you must.) well that are wonderfuL!
Yes! I'm so glad you posted the pictures. I loved getting to see everyone in their period clothing. I see a party planning biz in your future:)
that looks/sounds like one amazing party! i've heard of the mystery parties—but nothin this cool.
p.s. the 20s clothing rocks.
that sounds like the coolest party ever...seriously!
Looked amazing! love the 20's..amazing era.
x
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