Outer Space Party

Are the winter blues making it difficult to get away? How about escaping with an event that’s literally out of this world? Now we don’t quite have a budget that will allow us to join a civilian space program, but we CAN give you some fun ideas on how to throw an Outer Space Party!

INVITATION TYPE

• Online- this type of invitation is a must, because really, no one would useuse snail mail during the Space Age!

DECORATIONS

• Fill your party room with glow in the dark stars and planets, plus white string lights. Also, if you have a black light, this is one of the few good opportunities we can think of to use it. Keep the room dark – no other lighting is necessary!
• Solar system decorations- you can find these at any party store, or just make them yourself. Remember making planetariums in middle school? You can use Styrofoam balls and fluorescent paint to make planets and hang them from the ceilings.
• Line your table with scrunched up aluminum foil and use metallic-colored plastic cups, plates, and untensils.

FOOD AND DRINK MENU

• Appetizer: Popcorn
  Not only is popcorn easy to prepare, it looks just like moon rocks. Get creative with different colors and flavors.
• Entree: “Planet” shaped food – Personal Pizzas, Pita Bread Sandwiches, etc.
  Astronauts have to eat space food from aluminum packets. Let’s not put your guests through that!
• Dessert:
• • Cosmic Themed Candy
    Pop Rocks, Marshmallows, Starburst, Milky Way and Mars bars.
  • Outer Space Salad
    For guests seeking a healthy dessert alternative,use a melon baller to scoop pieces of watermelon, cataloupe, and honeydew.  Using small star and crescent moon shaped cookie cutters, cut strawberries, kiwis, grapefruit, oranges and more. Toss with a hint of brandy to keep the fruits from browning.
• Cocktail: Cosmic Punch
  Use a basic recipe, adding fruit punch, ginger ale, fresh fruits, and alcohol of your choice. Top with Pop Rocks for a stunning visual effect. Feel like having a wild night? You can follow a jell-o shot recipe to make alcoholic Jell-o Jigglers in cosmic shapes.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Playing techno or electronica music in the background will create the right mood for your space age party. Check out music by Zero 7 and Air for softer background music. If you want a more upbeat vibe, try techno artists like Daft Punk.
• If you want to play a movie in the background, Spaceballs is a fun choice. Star Wars and episodes of Star Trek on DVD are also appropriate chocies.

GAMES

• To get the effect of being an astronaut in outer space, make a “Moon Walk” area. You can use air mattresses and drape a sheet over them. This can also serve as an additional place for guests to sit and hang out.

ATTIRE

• Dress futuristically, or opt for an astronaut costume. We found costume inspiration in The Jetsons and Britney Spears’ Oops I Did It Again video.

LAST MINUTE TIPS

Don’t turn this into a Star Trek or Star Wars convention. This party is not intended for folks who take sci-fi literally.

And as always, remember to bring your camera!