Palmistry 

Birthday in the style of the Venetian carnival. Party in the style of a Masquerade Ball: script, outfits, decoration and competitions. Thematic and gaming areas

“Italy is a land of dreams with golden fruits,” wrote the Frenchman Emile Zola. The German poet Goethe said that “whoever has seen Italy, and especially Rome, will never be unhappy.” Italy can charm anyone! This is a country of sun, sea, delicious food and love. Its color will make the holiday unforgettable. The Italian theme will be relevant both for a New Year's corporate event and for a narrow party in honor of the anniversary. This is an opportunity to eat a hearty meal, drink excellent Italian wine, feel nostalgic while listening to old Italian music, and leave this event in your memory for a long time.

If this topic is close and interesting to you and you want to organize a holiday in Italian style, our script may be useful to you. The program is built in the form of a virtual trip to Italy. Guests are invited to visit iconic places and have a good time at the same time. The structure of the script allows you to easily rework it, removing some components and introducing others. With slight adjustments, the script can be used to prepare a teenage party.

Party in Italian style: decor

The room can be decorated in the colors of the Italian flag: green, white and red. Multi-colored ribbons and balls will make the venue not only “thematic”, but also bright. The colors of the Italian tricolor can also be repeated in table textiles (for example, a tablecloth of one color and napkins of two others).

A playful festive atmosphere will be created by garlands of triangular tricolor flags. Mini Italian flags placed in vases will decorate the table.

The best decoration for a feast would be... food. For many, Italy evokes pleasant gastronomic associations. So, you can put transparent vases with a variety of pasta on the tables, including colored ones. Tomatoes, pizza, oranges and olives will delight you with taste and create the right ambience.

You can hang enlarged images of Italian boots on the walls. different colors and sizes. Posters with views of Venice or reproductions of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci would also be appropriate.

Italian style party scenario: virtual journey

1. Obtaining a visa

The host asks the guests if they want to go to Italy and spend a holiday there, traveling to the most interesting places in this wonderful country. The guests, of course, agree.

To go on a virtual tour, you must obtain a visa. It will be issued only to those who pass the Italian knowledge test. The presenter suggests starting testing immediately.

The visa test is conducted in the form of a quiz. It would be better if it was a picture quiz - this format is simpler and more interesting. If it is possible to prepare sheets with picture assignments printed from the Internet, you should give preference to this. If this is not possible, an oral quiz is held.

Quiz test in pictures. The sheet (preferably large format) depicts three objects. Only one of them is related to Italy. The pictures are numbered. It is worth using at least 8 task sheets.

Guests can be divided into 2 teams. The leader shows the team a sheet and asks them to name the number of the picture with the correct answer. There is only one chance to answer correctly. For a correct answer - 1 point. If the team remembers the name of the person depicted or the name of the object, they are awarded an extra point.

Examples of tasks

1. Which one of them is Italian? The sheet shows Monica Bellucci, Penelope Cruz and Sophie Marceau. Correct answer: Monica Bellucci.

2. Which of these architectural monuments is located in Italy? The sheet shows Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, Leaning Tower of Pisa and Acropolis of Athens. Correct answer: Leaning Tower of Pisa.

3. Which one is Italian fashion designer? The sheet shows Calvin Klein, Domenico Dolce, Christian Lacroix. Correct answer: Dolce Domenico.

4. Which of these cars is the fruit of the Italian automobile industry? The sheet shows Ferrari, sports BMW, Nissan. The emblems are worn out. Correct answer: Ferrari.

5. Which of these emblems is the coat of arms of Italy? The sheet shows coats of arms of Italy and two other European states. The inscriptions, if any, have been erased.

6. Which of them are of Italian origin? The sheet shows footballer Francesco Totti, Pope Benedict XVI, actress Claudia Cardinale. Correct answer: Totti.

7. Which symbol is the emblem of the Italian football club? The sheet shows crests of the clubs Barcelona, ​​Milan and Real Madrid. Correct answer: "Milan".

8. Which shot is from an Italian film? The sheet depicts stills from three films, only one of which is Italian. For example, "The Godfather", "Life is Beautiful", Oscar (1991). Correct answer: "Life is Beautiful".

When preparing assignments, you can use images of various monuments and local landscapes. Musicians, paintings and even words can all be included in a picture quiz.

The quiz is the first stage of a test of knowledge of Italy. Second phase - language test. The presenter reads Italian proverbs to the teams (first in the original language, then in translation) and offers to quickly choose a Russian (or familiar to us) analogue. The more analogues the participants remember, the more points they will receive (for each analogue - 1 point).

  • "Chi ha la lingua va in Sardegna". He who has a tongue will reach Sardinia (the tongue will reach Kyiv).
  • "Prendere due piccioni con una fava". Get two pigeons from one bean (kill two birds with one stone).
  • "La gallina vecchia fa buon brood". An old chicken makes a good broth (an old horse does not spoil the furrow).
  • "Meglio essere il primo in provincia che il secondo a Roma". It's better to be first in the province than second in Rome (it's better to be big fish in a pond than shallow in the ocean).
  • “Cacio è sano; se vien di scarsa mano". Cheese is good if you take a little (everything is good in moderation).
  • "Lupo non mangia lupo". Wolves don't eat wolves (a raven won't peck out a crow's eye).
  • “È meglio un uovo oggi di una gallina domani”. Better an egg today than a chicken tomorrow (better a bird in the hand than a pie in the sky).
  • "Chi dorme non piglia pesci". He who slept did not catch a fish (he who gets up early, God gives him; you can’t even pull a fish out of the pond without difficulty).

At the end of the test it is calculated total points. The team members who give the most correct answers at the end of two stages can be awarded small prizes with the symbols of Italy.

The presenter reports that everyone passed the test without exception. Visas have been received, which means it’s time to prepare for a virtual trip to Italy. Naturally, the presenter will be the guide and translator. Italian music comes on.

2. Arrival in Italy

So, here it is - Italy. A beep is heard from the speakers, after which “Italian” speech is heard (the presenter’s assistant is with a microphone “behind the scenes”). If this is difficult to organize, the “Italian” may appear in the hall in person.

After each line “in Italian” the presenter gives a Russian translation.

Rousseau is a tourist, he looks drunk!
- Dear guests from Russia!

Russo dengiano Italy expected!
- Welcome to sunny Italy!

Promised to be full and drunk.
- An exciting journey awaits you.

Pasta obgiranto and puzanto rastanto.
- You will taste delicious Italian dishes.

Milano magazino ay-lyu-lyu.
- Visit architectural monuments.

Machos ballos popinaglia, millions of raking. Kanaglia!
- You will get acquainted with our football - the pride of the Italian people!

Sicilito gangsterito everything sits in politico.
- You will visit the Sicilian paradise.

Venice - the city of lovers

Why Venice? Let's remember the Venetian carnival, where everyone wore masks. During the festival, girls and young people threw notes, small bouquets, ribbons, etc. to each other. At the same time, their faces were covered with masks: as a result, the prince could fall in love with a market trader, and the countess with the executioner’s son. During the festival, love transcended classes. There is no calculation - just instantly flared up feelings. Therefore, let's pay tribute to this beautiful city and its festival and organize in honor Valentine's Day Venetian party. Moreover, today Venice is considered one of those cities in the world that are conducive to love. It’s not for nothing that many newlyweds go there for their honeymoon.

Entourage

Option one: It's good to have this party by the pool (hello canals of Venice!). If possible, you can inflate a rubber boat, decorate it and organize a “table” in it, placing drinks and plates of fruit. To get a drink or snack, partygoers will need to jump into the pool and swim to the gondola boat. Dress code for the Venetian pool party: swimsuits and masks a la the Venetian festival.

Option two: arrange a Venetian party indoors (at home, in a country house, in a bungalow rented especially for this event, etc.).

Decoration of the party venue - many flowers (artificial and real), multi-colored ribbons, multi-colored confetti in vases, antique lanterns. In general, different backlights - the more, the better. Therefore, you can get and hang all the garlands in the house. The same applies to flashlights - let your friends bring all the old tins they find. You haven’t forgotten how to make paper lanterns (well, you probably did it at school)? So they, too, can become decorations if you make them from paper of different colors in large quantities. Then string paper lanterns onto a thread and hang them over the table like a garland.

Dress code for guests: carnival outfits are optional, but masks are required. A mask is your ticket to the party.

Main content of the event.

Cheerful music, dancing, exploding firecrackers - all this is quite appropriate at a Venetian party. During the party, it will be interesting to conduct fortune-telling “Venetian style.” Write different names, both female and male, on pieces of paper. They can be mixed, or they can be put into separate bags or vases. Let each participant who does not have a partner take out a piece of paper and thus find out what his chosen one will be called. The remaining pieces of paper can be mixed and offered to the couples to draw them out to find out who will be born to them - a boy (a man's name was found) or a girl (a woman's name was found).

Games, entertainment, competitions.

1. Game "Serenade". 2-3 pairs are selected. Young people are given lyrics. They take turns singing them to their partners, trying to find a tune. Task young man- determine the desired motive using words that are real gobbledygook. And the girls must guess the song. The winners are those couples whose serenades were quickly solved. Where can I get gobbledygook song lyrics? It's simple: you need to use an electronic translator (for example, Promtom, or even better - “Socrates Personal”). We enter the Russian text of a popular song into the translator, translate it into a foreign language (any), and then back into Russian. And we get gobbledygook. If guys are artistic enough, serenades can be very funny.

2. Competition “Sweet Heart”. Italians call this day Sweet Day and give each other sweets - mainly chocolate. We will distribute a chocolate bar to everyone who wants to participate - let them make chocolate valentines, that is, hearts. Moreover, you can only use... your teeth. In a word, the heart literally needs to be chewed out. There will be two winners here - the one who completes the task faster, and the one who makes the most even and beautiful heart.

3. “Street Artist” competition. In Venice, during holidays and carnivals, people attack street artists drawing portraits from life. At the Venetian party you can hold an art competition. 2-3 pairs are called - artist + sitter or model. Artists are asked to draw a portrait of the sitter in 15 minutes, but in an unusual way. Various food products will be used as paints. They can be placed on a small table in advance: beet halves, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, fresh berries blueberries, squash or red fish caviar (of course, you can buy the cheapest caviar product - a jar can cost 40 rubles), etc. That is, any products that can be used to draw. Of course, you need to take care of brushes with paper (ordinary brushes will do). album sheets, Whatman paper, plywood). After drying, the portraits are presented to the public. The best portrait is chosen through voting, and its artist receives a prize.

What we serve:

By gondolas. Simply put, boats.

Snack gondolas.

Ingredients:

Avocado (1 piece per guest)

Shrimp (half a cup for 1 avocado)

Tomatoes (1 small tomato or half a large one for 1 avocado)

Fresh lemon

Salt pepper

Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and carefully scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Sprinkle the resulting “boats” with lemon. Finely chop the pulp, sprinkle generously with lemon juice, mix with peeled shrimp and finely chopped tomatoes. Stir, salt, pepper and fill empty boats with the resulting mixture. Garnish with orange or kiwi slices.

Gondolas are sweet.

Ingredients:

Bananas – at least 1 per guest

Fresh strawberries - 6-8 berries per banana

Heavy cream – 1 pack
Powdered sugar and vanilla - to taste.

Peel the bananas, cut them in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the pulp with a spoon, turning the banana halves into boats. Finely chop the strawberries, mix with banana pulp, season with cream, previously sweetened with powdered sugar and vanilla. Fill the banana halves with the mixture. Decorate each gondola with a whole strawberry. Instead of strawberries, you can take cherries, including canned ones.

What we give to each other:

You can go the beaten path and give all kinds of hearts on this day. So declare: “Today we give each other hearts.” All party participants bring one heart, and at the festival they draw lots to determine who gives it to whom. In the end, everyone leaves with a gift.

Hearts are different. Here are some examples:

Ashtray heart
Heart box
Figurine “A pair of doves on a heart”
Candlestick heart
Flash drive heart

The island miracle city has been exciting the imagination of artists, poets, and sculptors for centuries. Everything here breathes romance, and every little detail preserves the memory of bygone generations of the Renaissance. If you use your imagination, a Venetian party will become a small journey through the ancient streets, castle squares and picturesque canals of the drowning heritage of Italy.

The topic is not the simplest and far from the most budget-friendly. But if you have time for preparation, many scenery can be easily imitated from scrap materials by looking at MK on the Internet. However, it is worth considering that Venice has always been luxurious from the foundation to the last monogram on the frame of the attic window - every detail must be approached with special attention.

Decor

Start by choosing a location. If this is a Venetian-style party for an anniversary or other serious occasion, look for a restaurant with a classic European interior: “antique” carved furniture, columns and bas-reliefs, expensive textiles, floral ornaments. Surely a traditional Italian restaurant will do.

Color range: rich burgundy, purple, green or blue on a beige, sand and other pastel background. Smooth transitions of shades, complex patterns, gold or silver in decoration/decor emphasize wealth. There is no simplicity in the Venetian style, but there is also no oppressive clutter.

If a suitable hall is not found, we will create a miracle city ourselves! To decorate a Venetian party you will need:

  • blue wallpaper of an even tone or openwork (silk-screen printing). Cut one edge into waves and glue along the lower third of the wall. A little higher are the silhouettes of gondolas, and even higher - large photos or posters of Venice cityscapes. That’s how easy it is to create a gorgeous photo zone and the most memorable decoration!
  • textiles for draping furniture, windows, etc.. It can be satin, brocade, velvet, fabrics of an even shade or with a repeating vintage pattern. Even inexpensive textiles of a noble color will add castle luxury to the interior;

  • colored glass. Curtains of beads in doorways, colorful jars, figurines, elegant vases. Pour colorful beads into transparent containers and decorate the petals of snow-white lilies with bright rhinestones. Genuine Venetian glass is expensive, but imitation is quite appropriate at a party;

Inscriptions in Italian will enhance the thematic atmosphere. “Benvenuti a Venezia” at the entrance, “Bon appetite” above the table with treats. If you're celebrating a birthday, make a banner that says "Buon compleanno, name!"

  • souvenir and real masks, fans, puppets, glove puppets (the theaters and masquerades of Italy are famous throughout the world!). Dolls in ball gowns with high hairstyles and masks sewn from a piece of fabric will fit perfectly. But a party in the style of the Venetian carnival is a separate topic, do not overdo it (read more here);
  • another symbol is the famous Burano lace(or something similar). Napkins under table decorations and lamps, ribbons wrapped around vases, garlands of flirty bows, lace patterns on any surface (with a sponge and paint through a piece of fabric);

  • Almost more pigeons flock to city squares than tourists! Cut out silhouettes from paper and hang them on a transparent fishing line from the ceiling. Dove figurines are often used to decorate candlesticks, boxes, porcelain frames, etc. – ask your friends;
  • paintings or prints in prop frames made of cardboard/ceiling plinth, “Renaissance” vases, Venetian-style floor statues will take the party to a new level! For ambience, you can print out images and glue them onto a cardboard base (place along the walls);

In addition to regular bouquets, use hanging plants and flowers in pots in your decoration. Miniature balconies, buried in colorful buds and thick ivy - business card cities of romantic lovers.

  • It is desirable that the lighting be soft, diffused - floor lamps, table lamps, candles. Miniature candles in traditional colored jars light up the room very beautifully. Venetian candles imitating agate glass are amazing (similar ones are sold at virtual handmade fairs);

  • garlands and balloons will add lightness and celebration to the surroundings, but must fit into the Venetian style. For example, garlands can be assembled from miniature silhouettes of doves, multi-colored butterflies, carnival masks, and colorful roundels. With balloons we offer this:
    • Glue masks made of openwork fabric/napkins onto the balls;
    • Make bridges ≈50 cm long, ≈15 cm wide. The floor is made of plain paper, the parapets are a through openwork pattern, fastened from the inside with tape;
    • Tie the bridge parapets to the ribbons hanging from the tails of 4 balloons (two on one end, two on the other).

The bridges in Venice are quite high, because a boat with a gondolier standing on board must pass under them. Helium balloons will slowly move under the ceiling, rocking picturesque bridges. And to completely dazzle the party guests, lean paper silhouettes of lovers against the parapets.

Invitations

It’s easy to make an original invitation to a Venetian party using images of any of the above symbols. A card on expensive embossed paper with a gold lace pattern and monograms is ideal for a reception. With humor - a fake airline ticket, where the departure date/time = information about the upcoming event.

A card in the shape of a fan or mask is more suitable for a Venetian Carnival-themed party, but these attributes can be used as a print or decoration. For example, a miniature in the corner of a letter or on a string with which an “antique” scroll is tied.

There are many modern and retro postcards with views of Venice on the Internet. Using the online editor, it’s easy to make an openwork frame and the desired inscription on the front side. Print it out, write the text on the back - done!

Suits

It is desirable that the guests’ outfits match the atmosphere, so it is better to indicate the dress code in the invitation in detail (or discuss it separately). Costumes for a Venetian party offer a fairly wide range of options depending on the level of the event:

  • elegant cocktail/evening wear. Minimum pathos, maximum style. Italy is one of the countries that dictates fashion (there is no place for vulgarity, deliberately complex cut, or pretentiousness). Lace dresses, blouses, cardigans will fit perfectly.

Men wear ordinary suits and bright Venetian shirts: red, purple, green, blue, yellow are the main shades. Or wear an accessory, a bud in your buttonhole, or a scarf of that color.

  • tourist image – loose summer clothes. Shorts, T-shirts, cotton shirts, flowing sundresses, colorful dresses. Straw hats, canes, neckerchiefs, bulky wicker or belt bags;

  • gondolier wearing a wide sash loose black trousers, a striped T-shirt and a hat with a ribbon matching the color of the stripes;
  • ballroom dresses, theatrical and carnival costumes, but, again, this is more of a Venetian masquerade. Of course, at a party, the host sets the rules, so it's up to you;

  • The easiest option is to prepare hats, scarves, boutonnieres in flag colors, badges with the coat of arms, T-shirts with themed images, etc. for guests. For a photo shoot, cardboard accessories on stick holders are useful: masks, fans, tall wigs, sponges, cocked hats, jester's caps, large feathers.

Menu, serving

If you're short on time, order pizza and prepare some rolls with with different fillings- This is the most affordable, but very tasty tourist snack. They also sell sweet and meat pies, spring rolls, meat, fish and seafood skewers for takeaway. You can buy panini (a sandwich made from a bun) and tramezzino (a sandwich made from bread) on almost every corner.

A solid menu at a Venetian party includes Italian dishes plus a lot of fish and seafood. Pasta, ravioli, frittata, lasagna, risotto will satisfy even a young housewife if you choose adapted recipes with available ingredients. Sliced ​​cheese, olives, a few light salads - ready!

Drinks: freshly squeezed juices, coffee, young wines. Very popular cocktails are Bellini (white wine, peach juice), Sgroppino - thick milk with lemon juice, Spritz - dry white wine 50%, mineral water 30%, bitter liqueur 20%.

When it comes to desserts, Venetians, like all Italians, are great gourmets and have a passionate sweet tooth! By the way, this is where tiramisu was invented - don’t forget to include it in the menu. Melt-in-your-mouth chocolate tortino, panna cotta, sabayon, creamy gelato ice cream - a delight!

Food is treated with deep respect in this culinary paradise.. She decorates the table herself - an abundance of paper decor will disrupt the harmony. Although if the menu is mixed, you can note National dishes toppers with a flag, the coat of arms of Venice or the symbol of the city - a winged lion. Eggplant and banana boats (gondolas), candles, glassware, and elegant figurines (in moderation, without clutter) will fit in.

Entertainment

We offer a scenario for a Venetian party divided into two or more teams. All competitions are suitable for competition in pairs or individually, at the discretion of the organizer. Below are entertainments and competitions in the Venetian style, taking into account the characteristics of the city (many talented individuals, theaters, romance, etc.).

Quiz

Start of a script to immerse yourself in the topic. Sheets with questions, you need to mark the correct options (if in teams, then collectively). Is it true that (it’s all true, make up an absurdity and add it to the list):

  • 8 types of wood are used to build the gondola
  • there is no sewage system in the island part
  • Venezuela is named after Venice
  • According to scientists, by 2030 it will be impossible to live here
  • the piles on which the city stands are made of Siberian larch
  • Venice Carnival is our Maslenitsa
  • the number of islands on which the city is located exceeds 100.

Gondoliers

Be sure to include this competition in your Venice party scenario - it will be noisy and a lot of fun! You will need mops (or something else instead of a pole) and oversized family pants (made from black fabric). One participant from each team is a gondolier. They fit into the first pant leg, and the passenger into the second. Run to the finish line, the passenger gets out, run after the next one. And so you need to transport your entire team to the finish line before your opponents.

Artistic taste

According to the presenter's instructions, you need to draw a picture using mayonnaise, ketchup, and various sauces instead of paints. If the competition is a team competition, then everyone will do it together on a common Whatman paper. A gondolier on a boat, a winged lion, a bridge over a canal, something simple. Evaluate by voting or give this honor to the hero of the occasion.

Theater of the Absurd

Portraying a puppet and a mime at the same time, complete the task from the card, the others guess (their own, if in teams, and all together, if everyone is for himself). Without words, moving like a puppet, you need to show some action: tie a shoelace, get a hat that has fallen into the water, etc. If there are no snobs at your Venetian party, the competition can be a lot of fun thanks to the not-so-puritanical actions of the mime puppet.

On the wings of Love

Cut out a heart frame from cardboard and hang it from the ceiling. The goal is to hit the heart from a distance with an arrow (toy bow) or a paper airplane, three attempts. Count the total number of hits to determine the winner.

In Venice, card games, dice, and thimbles are very popular - additional entertainment, in addition to competitions and the inevitable dancing to enchanting Italian music. As prizes - souvenirs in the Venetian style, carnival masks, wine, chocolate.

December 3, 2015

What exactly do you associate with a masquerade ball? With something mysterious and romantic or mysterious and ancient?

Unsolved mysteries of masks and silhouettes in the twilight, stunning images and songs that penetrate straight to the heart - all this is a masquerade ball for adults! Only here can every guest feel like an aristocrat of the Middle Ages, feel the full depth of colorful colors and costumes in the MardiGras style, an exquisite carnival in Venice, a noble ball in the palace of Louis XIV or a Victorian operetta.

All these ideas can be brought to life at a birthday party, corporate event, High school prom, New Year, Halloween, wedding or just a meeting of good old friends. A masquerade ball is a holiday where old traditions and modernity harmoniously combine.

The essence of a masquerade ball

Masquerades originate from ancient Greece, where noisy holidays were held with dressing up and processions in masks accompanied by music, singing and fiery dancing in honor of the god Dionysus. In medieval Europe, masquerades became very popular in aristocratic circles starting from the 14th century. By changing into a different costume or putting on a mask, a person went beyond the norm and was transported into a world of prohibitions, harmony, and otherworldly power. Feeling like someone else at least for one evening, people took a break from the everyday hustle and bustle and were distracted from harsh reality peace. Soon the mask began to symbolize equality between different segments of the population; it did not divide people by their religion or status.

The masquerade was an ideal event for weaving intrigues, gossip, unbridled fun, and, of course, forbidden love. Everyone who was wearing a mask could pretend to be another person for the evening, show a different side of themselves, which had a positive effect on the fight against their own complexes. The true “I” of each person was lost at the ball, in the twilight of the masquerade a new personality was born, with its own mystical story...

What kind of story you write depends on how the party is organized correctly.

Defining the topic

A masquerade ball can have different themes, and depends on the preferences and imagination of the organizers, as well as the general vision of the holiday. Let's consider the most striking topics for the event:

  • MardiGras is a holiday for lovers of rich colors, unusual images and unbridled fun.
  • The Phantom of the Opera is a Victorian party set to classical music.
  • An aristocratic party in the spirit of 18th-century France - a celebration of luxury, pompous outfits, expensive jewelry and gourmet food.
  • Old Hollywood is an event dedicated to glamor and social life, all guests of the event coquettishly hide their faces behind exquisite masks.
  • Movie-cartoon masquerade is a celebration of the heroes of your favorite cartoons and movies, suitable for both children's and adult parties.

Important factors when determining the theme of the party are the allocated budget and the location of the holiday. Some masquerade balls are relatively budget-friendly, such as the Old Hollywood themed party, while MardiGras requires you to shell out quite a bit for the ballroom and costumes.

Invitations to a masquerade ball

After determining the theme of the masquerade, you need to organize invitations for guests. The main symbol of such celebrations is a mask, so it is not surprising that invitations are most often made in its style. The front side can be decorated like a Venetian boudoir, that is, covered with elegant fabric, painted with gold paints and sparkles.

You can make simpler options, for example, cut out a mask from cardboard, paint it with glitter glue, paints, markers or confetti.

The text of the invitation may be different, but it is important to indicate the date, location of the event, theme, and dress code. Each guest can come up with a name for themselves in accordance with the theme of the holiday. For example, if the party is in the style of the French aristocracy of the 18th century, then the guests can become Josephines, Constances, Jacques, Louis, etc. This will be interesting and at the same time piquant.

Masquerade outfits

Attire is very important for theme party, and it’s bad if some guests ignore the line warning about the theme of the evening. To avoid embarrassment, you need to introduce several rules:

  • Invitations are given to guests of the event at least 2 weeks before the masquerade.
  • IN mandatory The dress code is discussed with each guest.
  • You need to have a few extra masks for those who still do not properly prepare for the holiday.

A costume for a masquerade ball should be thought out to the smallest detail and extremely luxurious, with notes of sexuality and humor. He must show all the mystery of the image.

There are many places in cities where costumes, wigs and necessary accessories are rented; you just need to provide the phone number to the guests. The suit can also be made to order or by hand if you have the skills of a seamstress.

For the holiday, girls can dress up as a queen, lady, movie diva of the 20s, or Princess Elsa from the cartoon “Frozen.” For men, suits in the style of a count, baron, Zorro, or even the image of Marlon Brando are perfect - a black tailcoat with a bow tie will always be in place.

Party masks

Separately, it is worth mentioning the masquerade mask as a symbol of this holiday. Even an ordinary tailcoat or little black dress together with an elegant mask will look harmonious at the ball. The ideal plaster mask can be easily prepared at home. You will need some equipment and the skills of a decorative artist. For preparation you need:

  • 20 strips of medical plaster based on gauze, measuring 2.5 cm by 4 cm.
  • Cream.

The face is smeared with cream, and plaster strips soaked in water are applied to it. After drying on the face, the impression is taken and given the desired shape using a sharp knife. Then everything depends solely on will and imagination. The mask can be painted, decorated in different styles, decorate different materials, stones, threads, sequins, etc.

It is much easier to make a fabric goggle mask at home. Pearls, guipure, sequins are a small part of what can bring notes of mystery and perfection to the look of a woman in a mask.

The most affordable accessory for a party will be a blindfold mask. Its presence will make a woman’s look full of charisma, expression and mystery.

Room decoration

The atmosphere at a holiday of this type simply must be mysterious and unusual for all guests, otherwise the whole meaning will be lost.

If you are planning a large party, you can order the services of special agencies for the design of banquet halls. If the masquerade will take place in an apartment or private house, then the organizers themselves should take care of decorating the rooms.

The main decorative elements for a festive room will be beads, feathers, candles, and mirrors. Well, masks, they should be everywhere. On the walls you can hang thematic posters depicting Venice, French balls of the 18th century, paintings famous artists of that time, tapestries and candelabra.

An interesting and practical idea would be to decorate the room in one color scheme. This will significantly reduce the problems of choosing matching colors and save money.

The walls of the room can be draped with burgundy, green and blue fabrics. Garlands will perfectly complement the decor of the room; these can be pendants made of flowers and butterflies.

If the party is planned in a fun and modern movie-cartoon style, then you can decorate the walls with posters of your favorite cartoon and movie characters, install several funny tantamares (decorations with holes for faces for photography), and scatter confetti and streamers around the rooms. Gold, silver, yellow, red, blue balloons and electric garlands are also used as decorations for masquerade balls.

Musical arrangement

If the party is organized in the style of a masquerade ball from the Middle Ages, then the best music will be classics: Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and other masterpieces. Eternal music, like no other, will fill the evening with a pleasant atmosphere, encourage the guests' imagination, and invite them to talk about important topics or just have a good time with friends.

If the party is organized in a movie-cartoon style, then the musical accompaniment can be modern hits, songs that remind friends of a fun time in early years or any other fun music.

Entertainment at the ball

Undoubtedly, the main type of entertainment at the ball is dancing: classical, Latin or modern.

At the masquerade ball of the times of Louis XIV, dance cards were in circulation; each lady was awarded a certain gentleman with whom she was obliged to dance the entire evening. A similar practice can be offered to single guests at your masquerade. The ladies themselves will draw a card with the gentleman's name, and maybe by the end of the evening several more strong couples will be organized among your friends.

At such a themed holiday, you can conduct the following entertainment.

"Theater"

The guests are divided into two groups. One is interesting and funny scenario, and the other person embodies it on an improvised stage under the clear guidance of the “director” from the first group. The team's script could be a parody of everyone's favorite movie, theatrical performance, or fairy tale.

"Competition for the best image"

A traditional competition at almost all events. It is important that participants carefully prepare for it and think through their image to the smallest detail. The participant who receives the most applause for their costume wins.

"Queen of the Masquerade Ball"

Girls are simply in awe of various beauty contests. The most beautiful, mysterious, sophisticated, sexy and at the same time interesting lady becomes the queen of the masquerade ball. The winner will wear the crown all evening and be surrounded by all sorts of honors.

"Auction"

Holding an auction is an aristocratic occupation. An unusual mask can be used as lots self made, a bottle of rare wine, a shoe from the queen of the evening, etc. An important feature of this game is the host’s sense of humor, who is able to conduct an auction in a positive and cheerful atmosphere.

At the very beginning it is installed minimum bid per lot, it can be a coin of a designated denomination or a small bill.

"Themed photo shoot"

Who wouldn’t want to get a photo as a souvenir, and in such a chic look? Therefore, an interesting and positive photo session of holiday guests will give everyone present a great mood.

"Dress-Up Competition"

In the company of your best friends, you can be a little frivolous and, for example, dress up in a costume of the opposite sex. Ladies will become gentlemen and vice versa. After a fun dressing up and applying make-up on the newly minted “young ladies”, you can hold a competition where participants will compete for the title “Mrs Gentleman” and “Mr Lady”.

"Roomy petticoat"

This competition is only suitable for a party in the style Europe XVIII century, since it requires ladies in dresses with fluffy skirts. The essence of the competition: two girls in dresses and a team of guys choose, the more gentlemen each can fit under their skirt, the team wins. You need to hide completely under a fluffy dress, no peeking arms or legs. Fun is guaranteed for all guests of the holiday.

Another version of this competition: one of the girls has a gentleman hiding under her skirt. Guests must guess which of them is hiding the lucky one.

Gifts and prizes

Can be used as gifts and prizes at a masquerade ball beautiful masks, hair accessories, pendants with keys, butterflies to match an elegant tailcoat, or comic prizes. For example, a bandage on a leg, a mustache on a stick, a mask with a nose or a funny shape.

Treats and table setting

The idea of ​​a classic masquerade ball does not provide for a standard feast. Guests of the party are treated to a buffet. Ideally, hire waiters, but if this is not possible, then you can simply organize the delivery of snacks and drinks yourself.

The evening's treats may include beef medallions, mussel or shrimp salad, rosemary chicken, French bread, sesame buns, etc. Cognac, red or white dry wines, and champagne are perfect drinks.

Dessert can consist of “mask” cookies, strawberries, grapes, cakes decorated with lace chocolate patterns, and, of course, a cake decorated according to the theme of the holiday.
The masquerade ball is a fun and original event, the relevance of which has not been lost for centuries. Every guest of the evening can feel like an aristocrat XIX century, an actor from the era of the 20s, or partners Bonnie and Clyde, trying on the appropriate image. The main thing is that it is fun, interesting and unusual.

A masquerade is a place where time periods intersect, the past becomes the present so that a beautiful and bright future can take place.

Over half a million tourists visit Venice every year to see the enchanting event that marks the beginning of Lent. A colorful carnival-style party will give guests the opportunity to become part of a truly grandiose celebration without leaving their hometown!

“The land of love and the sea of ​​enchantment” - this is what N.V. Gogol wrote about Italy. Any Italian carnival is full of temptation, love, mystery and unrestrained, top level unlimited fun allowed! The mask, hiding its origin, put locals and visitors, Gentiles and Christians, dissolute girls and noble ladies, rulers and their servants on a par.

Decor

First, think about the scenario of a carnival party, because... entertainment largely influences the choice of meeting place. If it is a friendly holiday and a modest budget, the area of ​​the apartment is enough. For a luxurious event with artists, caterers, and a ball, a hall decorated in classic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles is ideal.

If the weather cooperates, you can have a party outdoors, because carnivals take place outside. Bright lanterns, colorful garlands, several tents or tables imitating fortune-telling rooms, game pavilions and mobile trading benches - ready!

Any color scheme is appropriate, but it is advisable to generously add gold, sparkle, and radiance. If you use all the colors of the rainbow, you will get a colorful, informal atmosphere. A stylish ambience is achieved thanks to a tandem of two or three contrasting shades.

For decoration in carnival style you will need:

  • brocade, satin, satin– any textile of glossy texture for draping walls, furniture, decorating compositions with ribbons, curtains;
  • electric garlands, decorated candles, table lamps in fringed lampshades. Whatever fits your idea best;

The lighting should be bright, but diffused - direct light destroys the aura of mystery and romance inherent in the carnival. Decorate the chandeliers if they do not fit into the surroundings. Hang paper lanterns.

  • Christmas tree bows, bells, and balls covered with glitter from the dollar store will fill the room with a festive glow and won’t break the budget;
  • foil curtains, rain, curtains made of beads in doorways, on parts of the walls, on the backs of chairs;

  • glass and crystal– vases, figurines of angels, candlesticks, large glasses and other containers. Luxuriously fancy Venetian glass, as if specially created for decorating a carnival-style party! Place multi-colored beads, Christmas tree beads, confetti, gold-painted curly pasta in transparent containers;
  • decorative twigs, feathers instead of fresh flowers(it's February). This is a traditional technique, but if you want, you can use fresh flowers (roses, lilies) or fabric buds;
  • large masks on walls, backs of chairs, doors and small ones anywhere as elements of a bouquet, drawings on napkins, placed on vases, candles;

For realism, hang landscapes of Venice here and there: St. Mark's Square, picturesque cramped streets, canals with slowly floating gondolas, people in carnival costumes.

  • fabric fans or corrugated paper can be anywhere– this is the second most important attribute of the Italian carnival;

  • theater glove puppets, commedia dell'arte characters, real or cardboard puppets(there is MK online, it’s simple) - they are sure to be “present” at the carnival, entertaining guests with funny scenes;
  • colorful or shiny gold balloons. Butterflies, fans, caps, colorful roundels or traditional rhombuses (Harlequin) collected in garlands. This simple decor will saturate the space with color, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Invitations

To get your guests into the atmosphere of the upcoming party in advance, make invitations in a carnival style. If time is short, an elegant card with monograms and a themed print or a card in the shape of a mask, decorated with beads and rhinestones, will do. Original invitation:

  • Using a photo editor, overlay a picture of Venetian lace with an image of a carnival mask in a contrasting color. Or buy “openwork” paper and draw a mask on top;

  • print in the required format. WITH reverse side use a marker to draw monograms along the edge or decorate with real lace, write text in the center;
  • assemble a fan based on any MK you like(there are many simple options online, taking into account that the fan can be fully opened and the text can be read). Fold, tie with ribbon, decorate with feather.

Suits

Italian carnivals are so spectacular largely due to the magnificent costumes. But for a party, sewing or renting any of them is quite a significant expense. If you don’t want to burden your guests, perhaps a “lighter” option is for you - elegant evening wear and masks that cover only the eyes.

Carnival masks are easy to make with your own hands from scrap materials, decorated with braid, beads, and feathers. Fastening with an elastic band or stick holder. For a mask that completely covers the face, a plaster bandage or papier-mâché is suitable; there is MK online.

A luxurious holiday requires more careful preparation. A mask and clothes for a carnival-style party are a single image. All costumes have a history, character and a certain message. Popular costumes at the Venice Carnival:

  • Bauta is a white-faced ghost in a black cocked hat and the same black robe;
  • Doctor Plague with a creepy long beak;
  • Gatto - cats. One symbolizes trickery, the second is predatory - a fighter against plague rats (appeared among the characters after the epidemic, in gratitude for their help);

  • The Venetian lady is an elegant image of a socialite;
  • Jesters in caps with bells, good Joker and evil Mattachino;

  • Moretta is a dark-skinned girl, a servant. Symbolizes female humility, because in this costume, the Venetian lady had to remain silent (the escutcheon has no fastening; it is held in the mouth by a pin on the reverse side);
  • A Turk in a comically huge turban appeared in honor of the victory over the Ottomans;

  • Paired carnival costumes of spouses, and since the 1800s everyone was allowed to wear them, regardless of the official status of the lovers. Identical style, color design;
  • Commedia dell'arte characters (Harlequin, Columbina, Brighella, Tartaglia, etc.).

When choosing clothes for a carnival party, do not forget about the “little things” - hairstyle, makeup, gloves, hat, fan and other accessories will make the look complete.

Menu, serving

The buffet menu for a carnival-themed party is ideal because... guests expect show and entertainment from such an event, not gastronomic delights. If seating is provided for everyone, include light salads, beef, chicken in the menu. You can’t do without fish, seafood, an abundance of fruits and fresh vegetables, sliced ​​cheese and risotto.

The Venetians' favorite desserts are tiramisu and dry vanilla cookies; any Italian delicacies (parfait, panna cotta, caprese) are appropriate. Among the drinks, light wines and champagne are in favor, but here it is better to rely on the taste of the guests. The presentation matches the decoration - porcelain, crystal, candles, bouquets in vases, tables covered with satin tablecloths, decorated with feathers and fans.

The original presentation is an imitation of shopping stalls, of which there are an insane number at the carnival! They sell pies and cookies, caramel apples, meat and sweet rolls, sandwiches, nuts, dried fruits and other bulk snacks in paper cones. All you need to do is cover the boxes with bright paper to arrange the dishes in several levels, like on a counter. Guests will select their own snacks and pour drinks to their liking (buy disposable, stylized tableware).

With humor - put a board like near a cafe, write: “Shopkeepers are people too, and today they are resting. Please pay honestly for the goods." Price tags on cards in front of some dishes (taking into account the customs of the company):

  • a toast to the birthday girl in verse (don't forget the Venetian-style cake if you're celebrating a birthday)
  • pinch the butts of 3 young ladies
  • kiss 3 men on the cheek
  • compliment 5 ladies/men
  • take a photo in an erotic pose, give a dance to someone other than the person you came to the party with, etc.

Entertainment

A step-by-step scenario is not needed at a carnival party; competitions and entertainment should follow each other naturally, without a plot. This will make the atmosphere more realistic. It is advisable to place several mini-tables that imitate entertainment pavilions - it’s as if friends are walking around Venice, stopping here and there. If there is little space, alternate these games casually (leader in the form of a jester barker).

Thimbles

Guess which glass the ball is under three times in a row. A symbolic gift for winning or performing a funny forfeit (a bunch of cards) as a penalty for losing.

Puppet show

Two or three puppets or the guests themselves will act as puppets - it will turn out funny in any case. You need to show a mini-scene so that the guests can guess what is happening.

Fortune telling room

Select a random card with a number and read the corresponding prediction (only good ones, of course). The luckiest ones will get the number 7 and a bottle of wine to go with it. For some, fortune will set the condition: “Good luck in all matters, if you right now...”. A specific “if” according to the morals of the company (not a completely puritanical or funny task).

Rope walkers

At the Venice Carnival, this is one of the most exciting entertainments, but the competition, of course, is safe - quickly run along a ribbon lying on the floor (curve), carrying a disposable plate with a balloon in your hand (do not hold the balloon or drop it). You can arrange a relay race for 2 teams.

Ridotto

Gaming pavilions where gambling carnival guests have fun. You can include card games, roulette, dice, etc. in your party scenario. Arrange a mini-tournament with a common bank or souvenirs.

Best mask/costume

Such competitions take place at any Italian carnival. Come up with nominations in the style of the funniest image, creative, creepy, cute, beautiful. Conduct a secret vote by assigning a number to each guest, or discovered by presenting favorites with paper hearts (kisses?).

Almost any show will fit into the script - fire, bartender, go-go, magicians, acrobats. Be sure to dance to modern and classical music, even if the waltz is not your thing - but it will be fun! Hold an auction or quiz on your knowledge of the topic with a great prize for the winner:

  • what is the name of the Slavic holiday, the essence of which is similar to carnival (Maslenitsa)
  • what does the phrase “carnem levare” mean, from which the word “carnival” comes (remove meat, because there is a fast ahead)

  • why does the Plague Doctor need a long nose-beak (they put it in medicinal herbs and oils that supposedly prevented plague infection when visiting the sick)
  • what is the essence of wearing masks (everyone is equal at the holiday, regardless of social status)
  • how long does the modern Venetian carnival last (2 weeks), etc.

Present: good alcohol and chocolate, souvenir masks, porcelain dolls, Murano glass (vases, figurines), themed magnets and figurines.