Top 10 Holiday Party Themes You Haven’t Heard Of

iPod Party

Can’t stand the same old top-40 carols playing throughout December? Bring your own iPod and dance to the playlist of your choice. Don’t be surprised if the couple in the corner is slow-dancing while your roommate does the caterpillar.

New Part Party

Change things up just enough to raise an eyebrow … or your hairline. Switch the direction of your side part or go with a zigzag part. (Hint: Have extra hair spray on hand for guests who forget to adhere to the party rule ... and colored hair spray for those who boldly refuse.)

Pimps and Ho-ho-hos Party

Take the classic “pimps and ho’s” party to a holiday-happy level by making sure everyone gives their outfit a seasonal spin: white beards, striped canes, bustiers with snow-white marabou feathers. ... Still slutty, but festive.

Blackout Party

Forget lights. Forget electricity. Put the “POW” in “power outage” by lighting candles and making your own music. A cappella “Electric Slide,” anyone?

Seasons Party

Who says holiday parties need to be all about winter? Dress up for your favorite weather! Are you a beach girl? Wear your bikini and let your perfume be your suntan lotion. Like to dance in the rain? Spin around with your fanciest umbrella!

Inappropriate Drinking-vessel Party

Get creative and bring your own … hard hat? Fish bowl? Thimble? Last year’s holiday ornament? Drink out of anything but a cup.

Embarrassing Moment Party

Dress up as your most recent embarrassing moment. Let the toilet paper hang off your shoe, or wear your shirt inside out. Take pride in that sock that got stuck in the crotch of your pants during the rinse cycle. (Uh-huh.)

Body Art Party

Tired of wearing the same outfits to every party? Paint your own. Go wild with a safari theme or classic with a tuxedo. There are no limits: Your body is your canvas!

Silent Party

Overuse our 21st-century technologies: Wear your cell number boldly on your shirt and communicate silently via text message. Last person to laugh wins!

Board Game Party

Come dressed to represent your favorite board game. Dress as Colonel Mustard from “Clue” or drape yourself in sugary confections in honor of “Candy Land.” You can even draw a brain game (e.g., Sudoku, Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe) and bring a marker. Interactive costumes are a great way to break the ice.