Ah, Syracuse Septembers. A time that brings new classes, a new address and new wardrobe additions you can finally dig out of storage. The possibilities are endless, but none is more exciting than the opportunity for another batch of themed parties. Fist pumping until your knuckles are blue at Jersey Shore-themed parties isn’t as exciting as Snooki and the gang make it seem. Instead, try a party theme that allows guests to amp up the creativity and tone down the hair gel.

1) Anything-But-Clothes: Ever wrapped your entire body in duct tape or turned your laundry basket into a fashion statement? The anything-but-clothes theme is perfect for unleashing your creative side. Grab all the random knickknacks you’ve collected from home and learn the best way to wear them. Just go easy on the duct tape, or undressing will be much, much more painful than usual.

2) Stoplight: It’s 2 a.m. and your memory isn’t quite up to par. You spot a cute girl standing by the beer pong table. Only problem is, you can’t tell if the 250-pound Hulk standing by is her boyfriend, her pong partner or the guy who sits 10 rows in front of you in astronomy class. Cue the stoplight-theme magic. If she’s wearing a red shirt, you may want to think twice. Yellow shirt, and you can make a move once ‘Roid Rage’ goes to the bathroom. If you’re lucky enough to see green, head on over and thank God for traffic signals.

3) Highlighter: This may be the one and only time you have free rein to write whatever you want on a random stranger. Instead of highlighting your history notes, save the ink and be ready to sign your autograph anywhere you want. Pick-up lines, smiley faces, phone numbers, inappropriate pictures are all fair game. Just don’t plan on wearing that shirt again in public.

4) Pajamas:  No, we’re not in fifth grade, but consider the logic: It’s Friday night, and you’ve been ready to go out and do some damage since your Monday morning class. Problem is, now that Friday night has rolled around, all you want to do is throw on some sweats and pass out in bed. The pajama party is the perfect compromise — you can still go out, and when you’re ready to fall on your bed by the end of the night, the daunting task of changing is already complete.

5) Luau: It may be 90 degrees now, but in a few weeks, the sun will be a relic of the past. A luau-themed bash is the perfect way to forget we go to school in a winter wonderland and warm things up for a few hours. Go all out with bathing suits, inflatable beach balls and ‘California Dreamin”-esque music. If you know a sand salesman, make it happen. Who knows, you may even get lei’d.

-Compiled by Elora Tocci, asst. copy editor, ertocci@syr.edu

 

Published on September 1, 2010 at 12:00 pm