Do a search on home party ideas or home party themes and you’ll likely find a number of existing lists of ideas. Many of the lists contain the same standard beach party or chocolate lover’s party ideas. These are actually some fun ideas, but you’ve already hosted or considered one of these parties, right? Now you are searching for something different that not everyone is doing; time to spice it up a bit. If you want a fun, memorable party, do a “Tacky Party” theme.

Think tacky, tacky, tacky – the tackier, the better! Tell guests to dress tacky, but if they question what that means, don’t elaborate. This is the fun part. Some may arrive mismatched, some a little promiscuous, and others just bizarre and weird. Seeing their individual interpretations of tacky is just part of the fun. I’ve heard of one guest who refused to participate in the tacky dress portion, but came to the party anyway. Some of the other guests really thought she’d put an effort into dressing tacky, when actually she was wearing her every day clothes. Whoops!

The winner of the tackiest outfit will get a prize, which is also tacky, such as an inexpensive sparkly lawn flamingo from a local craft store. I note this goes against everything I preach, about if you’re going to give away anything to make sure it is a product from your own catalog. I’m assuming you probably don’t sell tacky items. So, this is one exception to the rule. You can still send your guests home with a swag bag containing samples of your fabulous products, though.

Print the invitations on scrap paper left over from the neighborhood yard sale or from someone else’s sale flyer, such as what you may find in your weekly free newspaper. Just put a big “X” on the back to cross out the other sale information.

The hostess can serve tacky foods such as Pop Tarts, Slim Jim’s, prunes, Little Debbie snacks, generic, off-brand soda and wine in a box; even better if she has leftover party plates and napkins from her kid’s birthday parties. If not, these are usually available at thrift stores for pennies. Your hostess will love this idea because it’s so easy to prepare the refreshments. How much effort does it take to break up a few Pop Tarts and open up Little Debbie snacks?!

As the consultant, you should participate in the theme as well. Wear a skirt with gym socks and high heels; make a t-shirt using a Sharpie and every single home party slogan you have ever heard, such as “Earn Some Free When You Party with Me” or “Is Money Low? Book a Show” or “I wish I may, I wish I might, have all the products I see tonight!” You could try “Just Book a Show” or “Join My Team.” Individually, these slogans are not so bad, but when you have a dozen different ones, it is definitely tacky. Check out the stickers at: thebooster.com, if you need more ideas.

If your hostess really wants her party to be remembered for years to come, she can decorate her front yard with a clothes line featuring giant granny panties and a bra, broken lawn chairs, old tires, and an empty case of beer.

Fun times! If it’s a little too over the top for you, remember that theme parties can be as big or as little as you like. I personally think if you’re going to play, then play big. You can still have a fun “Tacky Party” if you scale it down a bit. If your guests are having fun, it’s contagious and they’re more likely to buy more. It’s win/win!