How to Throw an Election Night Party - For Both Parties!
Alright, so we all know it’s 2020, the year from…heck (hey, I’ve got little kids, cut me some slack!). But what if we still want to do normal things things, like throw a little Election Watch Party for your friends and family.
Now just wait, get ready for the best pun of this post..what if you want to have a POLITICAL PARTY?” I’m sorry, I just can’t help myself sometimes.
01. The Guest List
First you need to decide who is coming to this thing. Most parties, this is pretty easy. With politics, maybe not. Depending how personal politics is for you and your guests, you may decide to keep your party either all blue or all red. If you have some people from each party, depending on your friends, this may create some trickiness, especially as the results roll in. You also may want to consider not inviting that friend that just can’t help but make nasty comments to friends of other political affiliations. Hopefully, everyone will be respectful of one another, as some people will be celebrating while others wiping their tears away.
I picked these super cute invitations from Invitation Consultants. I love the vintage textured background!
02. The Menu
For desserts, you finally have an opportunity to stray away from the mundane confetti cake. How about mini apple pies? These glazed apple hand pies from shugarysweets.com look drool-worthy. But if you’re like me and can’t cook (and in the greater Milwaukee area, check out hatchmke.com. I’ve used them for events before (a really fun dessert alternative for a wedding!) Or, even better, an adult root beer float bar. I’m partial to Not Your Father’s Root Beer, but my husband insists on Best Damn Root Beer Oh, and make sure it’s good old-fashioned vanilla bean ice cream, to take your guests back to their childhood as they watch the electoral maps fill in red and blue.
This one is easy. Think Fourth of July bbq, but in November, and make it fun! Think a charcuterie board, but with hamburger and hot dog sliders. Get a little creative and add add the favorite toppings of both candidates…or at least their home states if we can’t find that. Trump? He like’s the McDonald’s Big Mac, so make sure you have plenty thousand island dressing on hand. Here’s a copycat recipe. Joe Biden famously loves an traditional chicken parmesan, if you’re feeling ambitious, here is Jill Biden’s recipe straight from the mouth of Rachel Ray.
03. The Refreshments
Obviously you need the basics to celebrate the melting pot of the world, Russian Vodka, Mexican Tequila, Italian Wine (have I mentioned I like wine?), French Champagne, Japanese Sake, Scottish…Scotch, and good ol’ America Bourbon. But don’t forget to add that the quirky touches from this years election. Luplin Brewing brews the “Make IPA Piney Again” that couldn’t be more perfect for the occasion. And don’t forget the candidates’ favorites! Although neither President Trump nor VP Biden drink alcohol (fun fact - Senator Harris is the only major candidate who reportedly drinks alcohol), you can still play homage to the two men riding the top of the ticket. It’s been rumored that President Trump has a big red button in the Oval Office that summons a staffer to bring him an icy cold DC. (I’ve been BEGGING my husband for a wine button, but he’s a tough nut to crack!) As for Vice President Biden, it’s all about the orange Gatorade.
A fun addition for the kids, blue and red Jone’s Soda On theme as so delicious! Strawberry Lime for red and Blue Bubblegum for blue! Although Jone’s is from our neighbor to the North, the vintage glass bottles add a fun design element, while still tasting amazing!
04. The Décor
An “Election Booth” is a must here - aka, a Photobooth. Photobooth backdrops are super reasonable on Amazon. Add red, white, and blue sequin backdrops, fun photo-booth props, and an instant-print camera and all of your guests will have a lovely memento from the best (or worst) night of the year. Wait, who am I kidding, this is 2020, there’s way to much competition for that top spot. A balloon garland is an inexpensive way to pack a huge punch in terms of the WOW factor! Other fun items - standees of the party mascots, your favorite candidates or politicians, and political buttons so your guests can show their support for their guy or gal!
For more great decoratons, check out my blog post “Decor to Make Your Political Party Pack a Punch”
01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11
05. The News
Obviously, you will have live updates from the major news outlets. Just don’t forget to bring in a couple portable televisions so you can broadcast different networks! CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, even your local affiliates will all have different coverage. Plus, it will make your guests on either side of the aisle feel comfortable seeing their favorite anchors on the big screens!
Keep the whole party up to date with an online interactive map and project it to the party if you have an extra TV or large computer monitor. If you want to be a little more crafty, chalk-board map will stay with a vintage USA theme and be a fun interactive way for you and your guests to follow the evening results! That being said, make sure to have plenty of red and blue chalk on hand, as it’s expected to be a chaotic night in the war-rooms!
06. The Entertainment
As the evening can get rather long, it’s a great idea to have some other entertainment to take everyone’s mid off of electoral counts. Have a few games ready that can be played solo, or in teams, so guests can “reach across the aisle” and have a little political battle of their own.
01. He said WHAT?!
You could put together, the most crazy, far-out, non-sensical quotes from the top candidates on the ticket, and make your guests guess who said them. Luckily, I already did that for you! Check out my Candidate Quote Game Blog Post to download it for free! PS - No phones on this one, but reaching “reaching across the aisle” on this one is a must!
02. Electoral Map
Give everyone a printed US Map and have everyone fill out red or blue in each state. Make sure everyone turns in their maps before the last polls close!) If you’re doing prizes, this game may be a bit trickier this year. You may have to Venmo the winner a prize, as it’s suggested it may take days to weeks (even months!) to get the finalized results of some states.
You can find a free printable Map from Urban Bliss Mom
PRO TIP: To make this game more interesting, make red and blue jello shots. When a state is called. Shoot the loser and put the winners color on the map!
03. Presidential Trivia
Okay, so I’m partial this, not because I know a lot of presidential trivia, but because I seem to know the ONLY questions ever asked about presidents during Trivia. Who was our longest serving President? Our Shortest? Who actually played the most golf? Which President gave us National Parks? This is a fun game to break up the evening - read the answers out loud and watch everyone debate (and brag) about their answers!
04. Election Night Drinking Game
There’s plenty of these all over the internet. But my personal favorite is put on by the guys over at debatedrinking.com
05. Pin the Tail on The….Elephant? Donkey?
This one is only fun after several cocktails, or if you’re including the kids in your Election Night Soiree! Or, try playing after you do a Dizzy Bat (instructions for that here). Here’s what you’ll need - a political standee, some double sided tape, a printed “tail” (get creative here!), and a blindfold.
Now, go throw a party - and as far as the election goes, may the odds be ever in your favor!
Want Olive & Pop to Plan Your Next Event?
more from the o&p blog.
Elevate your shelf-styling game to bring your space to the next level of WOW! Check out some of the foundational pieces you’ll need to get started.