Costumes & Accessories (22) / Party Supplies (1)

Vampires Party

Table of contents

Introduction

It is time again for one of the most haunting events of the year, where hosts and guests alike will feast until their heart’s content – until dawn that is. For when the light again shines all those who attend the vampire party will become human again. So if you’re a host intending to host a vampire-themed party, get your pen and paper ready and make some notes: below you’ll find some tips on organizing the best blood-sucking bash. But first, a little background information on vampires.

 

Of course many people wonder if there were really vampires that stalked the night and sucked on the blood of young maidens. While some may regard it as true, the majority of the scientific community believe it wasn't, blaming the phenomenon of the vampire on human ignorance, and corporeal decomposition.

 

Some of the factors thought to be a contributing factor to the vampire myth include the swelling of the corpse in the grave to resemble a bloated, healthy look. This was especially apparent in corpses of bodies that were thin in life (it is also important to note that vampires were originally thought to be rather stocky, instead of the tall thin Count we all know today). This bloating is due to the accumulation of gasses in the body as a result of decomposition. In addition, vampire hunters believed a corpse was a vampire if it had any blood around the mouth. Again this is due to the internal pressures of the gases as they accumulated in the corpse, pushing the blood out through the mouth and nostrils.

 

But still, the spookiest part of the whole vampire myth was the occurrence of speaking corpses. Well, it was true enough, at least in a sense that they made sounds. This was due to the various gases moving past the vocal chords. The opposite of this was when the air went out the other end - a sound we are all keen to recognize at once (and leave the room or fan the air in front of our noses at once).

 

Naturally there are many more reasons as to why some of the living and dead corpses were considered to be vampires, but that would fill a whole book. Right now, however, it’s time to party!

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Vampires Party Invitations

Be sure to invite your undead friends to the party of the year with the most appropriate and authentic invitations. Below you’ll find a couple of ideas which you may use at your own will. Should you require any of the items needed, simply run down to your local vampire merchandise supply store and purchase them there. Oh, and be sure to include the following details on the invitations so that your guests may consider themselves fully informed:

  • Party Name: Be sure to give your vampire-themed party a creative name. Think in terms of “Count Michael’s Vampire Feast”.

  • Salutation: Remember that most vampires were extremely well-educated and formal and as such your salutations should be in that tone. Think in terms of “My Dear Count Wolfgang and Countess Lucia”.

  • Date & Time

  • Venue/Location

  • Dress Code

  • Contact Details

  • Additional information…

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Blood Spattered Design

Computers can be used for a lot of different purposes these days, including the creation of excellent vampire invitations. For this you’ll need a computer loaded with the appropriate image editing software as well as a printer loaded with the appropriate paper. For those who don’t have printers at home, simply pop down to your local printing firm and make use of their services.

 

Now, one very successful idea we’ve had lots of success with is a simple white card printed on glossy paper with the name of the party typed in the appropriate font on top with some bloody bite marks in the middle of the page. On the back or in the inside of the card, are all the details of the party (as listed above). This is a simple and very cost-effective design that will nevertheless impress your potential guests.

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Miniature Coffin

An authentic miniature vampire coffin will be the very thing to lure your guests to your party. For those who don’t think they have the artistic know-how, buy them from your local vampire merchandise retailer or off the internet. However, if you do have some artistic skill, then simply put it to use to make your own miniature coffins (one per couple or one per person). Instructions are widely available on the internet if you need any help.

 

Now, once you have your coffins, simply create a small elegant paper-based invitation to lay in the coffin or, if you are making your own, have the details of your party embroidered on the material lining of the coffin. It really couldn’t be any simpler and will make a good promise of great times to come.

Invitation Gargoyles

For those with a slightly higher budget, buy a number of gargoyle statuettes (equal to the number of guests you are expecting or the number of couples) from the appropriate retailer. Once you have them, attach a small paper-based invitation to the gargoyle bearing all the party details. Simple.

 

For those who want to go a little bit further, forget the paper-based invitation and have the party details engraved on a suitable place on the gargoyle statuette.

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Vampires Party Dress Code

Slicked back hair, fangs, capes and elegant suits – these form part of the male vampire attire. For the lovely countesses, an elegant and tight-fitting evening dress that reaches the ground should do the trick. Remember that the color-scheme vampires usually go for include reds, blacks, burgundies, charcoal, purple, etc.

 

For those with limited space on their invitations, “Vampire Evening Attire” will do.

Vampires Party Decorations

We all know that vampires traditionally live in old, haunted castles in Transylvania. As such, it is important to decorate the venue accordingly. Think about making a fake portcullis from paper mache and lining the walls with empty, fake coffins. For those with some ingenuity in handiwork, a coffin-table stacked with drinks and food will make the perfect decoration.

 

Smaller items include black and red candles, fake cobwebs and fake plastic limbs carefully arranged to protrude from desk drawers, closets, etc.

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Vampires Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

According to many Vampire stories, Igor usually did the bidding of the master of the castle. Dress up accordingly or employ a youth for the job and have him announce the guests in a wheezy voice. Also remember that they usually had lisps. Here is a suitable line your Igor can use to announce your guests:

 

“Master! Master! The guests have arrived!” Be sure to have your Igor use a very excited tone of voice.

Vampires Party Favors

Stuck for ideas with which to please your guests in the form of party favors? Think about all sorts of vampire apparel that can be bought from the appropriate suppliers or from the internet. Previous ideas that worked include:

  • Coffin Key Chains

  • Gargoyles engraved with the party name and date

  • Goblets

  • Vampire stakes engraved with the party name and date

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Vampires Party Activities

The Vampire’s Ball

Please your guests by arranging the grandest vampire ball. This is a lavish event and the perfect occasion for fancy dress. But remember, fangs, capes and extravagant clothes are a must!

 

For those with a bigger budget, why not hire a band to play the music of the damned all night long. This will make for an evening to remember as your guests swirl and twirl their somber way across the dance floor.

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Name That Horror!

More commonly known as charades, this game will supply all party attendees with huge amount of interactive fun.

 

The game is played with one person deciding upon the name of a book, film, song, etc. He or she then has to act out the name using nothing but gestures. Keep in mind that this is a vampire-themed party, so all the names acted out have to be of a similar nature.

 

For a more complete set of rules for the game of charades, just have a look online as they are plentiful.

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Vampire Art

Get ready for an extremely fun activity! What you’ll need here is one or two pieces of canvas or paper per guest. In addition, you’ll have to lay your hands on all the fingerless gloves, oven gloves or any other kind of really clumsy glove which your guests will be able to wear on their hands. You’ll also need some paint and paint brushes – enough for all your guests to paint together.

 

This activity requires your guests to paint anything of a vampire nature (or something that you have decided on) while wearing their clumsy gloves. See who paints the funniest picture and be sure to award a ghoulish prize for the one with the most original.

 

Remember to cover floors and furniture with something to avoid getting paint splattered all over them

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Vampire Film Marathon

Not in the mood for charades or painting? Well, simply rent a couple of classic vampire DVDs and spend the night with your friends in motion picture style! Applicable titles include:

  • Nosferatu

  • Horror of Dracula

  • Vampyr

  • Dracula

  • Interview With a Vampire

  • Bram Stoker’s Dracula

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Food & Drink

As vampires only really feasted on the blood of young maidens and anyone else who happened to pass by, you’ll have to improvise a bit.

  • As for drinks, anything with a red color should be appropriate, though try and cater for all your guests. While serving red wine and rosé, keep some white wine and bubbly stocked too.

  • Your choice of snacks and foods should go with your vampire party. Those having a vampire ball or something to that note should consider having elegant snacks with three-course meals. For those with a more relaxed vampire attitude, pizzas, burgers, nachos and chicken wings should do fine.

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