Party Ideas & Stationery

• Serve drinks in coconut cups at a luau party. Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

  From birthdays to bridal showers, throwing a party is a fun way to commemorate any type of special event. When planning your party, take into consideration the purpose of the event, as well as the celebrant's age group and interests, and incorporate a theme based on these things. Don't forget that you'll need stationery for the event -- invitations and thank you cards -- which can also be tied into the theme of the party.

Luau Party

• A luau-theme is appropriate for a variety of types of parties and for various age groups. If you're throwing a luau party, decorate your party area with tropical-inspired elements. Place tiki torches and artificial palm trees around the area. Use coconuts and tropical flowers for centerpieces. Blow up and print out an image of a tropical beach and display it somewhere in the area. Create a beach area with a kiddie pool and sand. String up novelty palm tree lights. Serve your guests a menu of tropical foods, such as Hawaiian pizza, glazed ham, pineapple skewers and coconut cake. Serve drinks in coconut cups. Hand out grass skirts and leis and have party goers compete in a hula contest. Print out invitations on stationery that features an image of a beach to make it look as if you're sending a post card from a tropical island. Write your thank you cards on cards that showcase hibiscus flowers, a palm tree or even a flip flop.

Tea Party

• Whether you're throwing a bridal shower, a ladies' luncheon or a party for your little girl, consider centering the party around a tea party theme. The tables are the main focus of this themed party. Cover tables with floral or lace tablecloths. Use show flowers, such as irises, roses and lilies, to create centerpieces. Set the tables with matching plates, tea cups and saucers, or give the table some interest with mismatched items. Serve a variety of teas in silver or ceramic tea pots. For food, fresh fruit, petits fours and finger sandwiches work well with the theme. For an activity, have guests decorate their own tea pots. Use cards with floral patterns or paper that showcases a tea pot as the invitations and thank you cards for this party.

John Deere Party

• Throw a John Deere-themed party for the man or little boy in your life. Create invitations by locating an image of a John Deere tractor, printing it out and printing the party details over the tractor image. Use green and yellow -- the colors of John Deere -- crepe paper streamers and balloons to decorate the party area. Blow up an image of a barn and hang it on a wall. Bring in bails of hay and corn stalks and place them around the room. Cover tables with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and use tractor toys for centerpieces. Serve a menu of traditional American foods: hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans and apple pie a la mode for dessert. Split guests into teams and have them race one another to see who can stuff a scarecrow the fastest. After the party, the celebrant can send thank you cards on paper that features farm animals or images of farms.