The days are getting warmer, and flowers are budding; spring is finally here! From exams to plans for summer, it feels like everything is speeding up. Now is the perfect time to slow down and make memories. What better way to do that than with a themed dinner party?

Garden party

What says spring more than an outdoorsy, garden-inspired party? Lean into anything green and floral, from green streamers twisted into vines to draped flower paper garlands and blooming bouquets. Take things outside and set up a picnic surrounded by actual greenery. For food, create a bug charcuterie board with Babybels cut into ladybugs, lemon macarons decorated like bees, and deli meats arranged into roses. Embrace a little whimsy by dressing up in flower crowns, antenna headbands, and wings.

Nostalgic

As graduation nears, sometimes the best theme is one that takes you back in time. Plan a nostalgic party to recreate the comfort and chaos of childhood. Decorate with bright garlands, balloons, and confetti. Indulge in all of your childhood snacks, from Capri Suns to sweet cupcakes piled high with frosting. For activities, have a game night with board games and a Mario Kart tournament, or watch coming-of-age films.

Eat the movie

If you can’t decide between a movie night or dinner party, do both! During an “eat the movie” night, build a menu inspired by the food you see on screen. For Ponyo, recreate the iconic instant ramen with thick-cut ham, Sosuke’s cinnamon honey milk, and other cozy recipes. For Ratatouille, go French with ratatouille (of course), a charcuterie board, potato leek soup, and fresh bread. 

Ultimately, the theme you choose doesn’t matter as much as the people you share it with. Whether you are revisiting childhood memories or creating bug-inspired snacks, enjoy the springtime with friends and family.