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Throwing a party should be fun for everyone, including the host. One way to open the doors to fun is to plan a theme party. After all, theme events somehow tend to make others feel goofy and generally more relaxed. Just remember there are three key elements to ensure a fun party for all of those involved: lots of planning, lots of food and lots of drinks!

If you are hosting, start with the idea that your guests should always feel as relaxed as possible. Friends and acquaintances want to attend parties that make them forget about work worries and life’s complications for a while. So concentrate on making things fun, and include future guests in your plans. They’ll feel good about being included in the planning when the party is still in its development stage.

Another key tip is to place a personal spin on the party event by, for example, choosing a traditional theme. Do a little bit of research and incorporate a personal touch into a traditional Mexican fiesta night, complete with your own tapas. Or have a “Zorro night” to commemorate the early 20^th century, swashbuckling hero, and have guests show up in costume. From a Venetian or Roman motif to seemingly countless other theme possibilities, once you have a definite theme in mind, Passport to Fun^SM also recommends:

-- Planning ahead. A good theme makes a great party, and planning ahead will make it a surefire hit. Make sure to send invitations at least three weeks in advance and be available to answer questions that guests might have about attire or different aspects of the party (specially if the theme is not a familiar one). Ask guest to RSVP a week in advance, so you have time to calculate how much food, drinks and accessories to purchase.

-- The setting. One reason why hosts don’t always have fun at their own parties is because they’re too busy cleaning up after guests or too concerned with an antique lamp that might get damaged if things become wild and the party gets out of control. The setting for the party should allow people to feel at ease — especially the host. If your party is at a private residence, make sure all expensive items are removed from the main entertainment area, and consider using decorations to set boundaries around the house.

-- Food and drinks . A good rule of thumb is to have more than enough to munch on and drinks of all kinds (from water and sodas to top-shelf alcohol). Both items should be related to the theme of the party, but make sure to offer some traditional party foods as well, such as chips and salsa or dip and vegetables. Set up different tables with all the food and drinks for visitors to help themselves, and be sure to have plenty of napkins and utensils around. This way guests don’t have to hunt around the kitchen or other areas of the house looking for silverware and the like.

-- Entertainment. Music and games are key elements of a themed party. If the motif includes going back in time (1960’s, 70’s, 80’s, for example), period tunes from those bygone days are a must. Hiring a DJ or getting a karaoke machine are good options, but if your budget is a concern, make sure to download or borrow an assortment of music that will last the duration of the event. And any games or other activities should relate directly to the chosen theme.

Hours of enjoyment are ahead of you if you prepare carefully.

This article is brought to you by Passport to Fun , a members-only savings program that offers significant discounts at popular retail stores, restaurants, movie theatres, shop-at-home services and many other leisure time choices.