10 unique dinner party ideas for a memorable evening
Whether your dinner parties are the talk of the town or you’re planning your very first one, make this dinner party the most impressive, delicious, and memorable one of all.
Planning a dinner party around a theme is a surefire way to make your night one to remember. From the food and décor to creative dinner party invitations—as long as everything matches your vision, you can’t go wrong! Keep reading for uniquely themed dinner party ideas to make your next bash unforgettable.
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1. Pasta party
Transform your home into an old-school Italian osteria when you host a pasta-making party. Invite guests over to sip wine while they learn how to mold their own penne, linguini, or ravioli from scratch. Alternatively, you can prepare your favorite pasta recipe ahead and let guests sit back and enjoy the feast.
- Invitation: Get guests excited to start kneading dough with the appropriate “Handmade Pasta” by Paperless Post or whet their appetites with “Homemade Pasta” by Joana Avillez.
- Refreshments: Serve some vino for everyone to drink while crafting their pasta creations. Provide sauce and topping options for a personalized dining experience, and of course, cannoli for dessert (recipe by Serious Eats).
- Décor: Make your space resemble a cozy Italian restaurant with dim lighting, flickering candles, and elegant tablecloths from Paperless Post Party Shop for a special touch.
- Activities: Arrange for a chef to lead everyone in an instructional pasta-making class, either in-person or virtually, or guide the group on your own if you’re feeling culinarily confident!
2. Soupapalooza
There’s nothing like a cozy atmosphere and a bowl of soup to warm everyone up on a fall or winter night. In cool weatherAs the weather gets cooler, a soup party is the perfect (Strega Nona-approved) dinner party idea for a hearty, tasty evening.
- Invitation: Let everyone know that soup’s on the menu with “Stir Things Up,” or choose from the bold color schemes of “What’s Cooking?” by Paperless Post.
- Refreshments: Take this theme and make it a potluck. Ask guests to use the Comment Wall on your invitation to share what soup they’re bringing. Pair the soups with sides like salads and bread, and offer a simple dessert, like this dreamy apple pie by The Pioneer Woman.
- Décor: Choose fall party décor that combines bright and muted colors to complement the delicious soup.
- Activities: Set up a soup bar with all the choices as well as some toppings like green onions, cheddar cheese, or cilantro so everyone can take a little sample of each.
3. Taco madness
If you love Taco Tuesday and never pass up an opportunity for extra guac, this dinner party theme is for you. Bring your culinary passion to an epic taco contest, where guests compete to be the Taco Titleholder.
- Invitation: Set the theme early with Paperless Post’s “Taco Placeros” or the novelty-shaped “Taco Fiesta” invitation.
- Refreshments: Make watermelon margaritas by Minimalist Baker for everyone to drink with their incredible tacos and dip.
- Décor: Decorate with brightly colored décor or piñatas to set a festive tone.
- Activities: Add to the contest by organizing more awards to be won, such as the “Messiest Eater,” “Biggest Taco,” or “Most Ingredients Used,” so everyone can be a winner with this dinner party theme.
4. DIY pizza night
Making pizza is fun, but making pizza with friends is even better. Use this popular birthday dinner party theme any time of year—just make the sauce and dough beforehand.
- Invitation: Send the aptly named “Big Pizza Pie” invitation by Paperless Post or “Table Doodle” by Pulp Templates Co.
- Refreshments: Serve up a great bottle of wine and add a delicious dessert like this New York cheesecake by Once Upon a Chef.
- Décor: To add to the pizza party theme, choose orange party supplies—from tableware to hanging decorations—to decorate your party space.
- Activities: Have guests bring their own toppings and set them out buffet-style. Then, everyone can make their own pizza to pop in the oven.
5. Charcuterie soirée
Ask your guests to build a charcuterie board with you for the ultimate French picnic-style dinner party. This summer dinner party idea works best when the weather is nice and you can gather outdoors.
- Invitation: Let guests know what your dinner party is all about with the “Charcuterie Party” or “Charcuties” invitations by Paperless Post.
- Refreshments: Set out staples like brie, crusty bread with tapenade, and chicken liver pâté and baguettes. Provide hot, fresh croissants, preserves, and plenty of butter to keep the French theme going. And make sure the wine and Champagne flow freely.
- Décor: Pass out platters from Party Shop so guests can create their own charcuterie boards. For large groups, make a board to share.
- Activities: After everyone’s finished creating their boards, take pictures and post them on social media for friends to vote on their favorites.
6. Breakfast for dinner
Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? With a menu of waffles, French toast, pancakes, or even an assortment of childhood breakfast cereal favorites, a breakfast-for-dinner theme is a fun, quirky way to shake up your typical dinner party.
- Invitation: Send the whimsical “Brunch Brigade” by Hello!Lucky to give a sneak peek of the menu’s theme, or go bold with the colorful “Good Morning” invitation by The Indigo Bunting. Let guests know about the breakfast twist in your dinner invitation wording.
- Refreshments: Serve pancakes or waffles, and invite everyone to bring their favorite toppings and syrups to pass around. Top off your menu with drinks that pair well with your breakfast, such as classic mimosas by Love & Lemons.
- Décor: Serve breakfast for dinner on pretty plates that match your party palette (and are able to hold a large stack of flapjacks).
- Activities: Make it a pajama party and invite guests to wear their favorite PJs.
7. Sushi extravaganza
No one’s turning down sushi—especially when they get to make it themselves. Sushi night is an interactive dinner party theme with delicious results as well as a fun bonding activity.
- Invitation: Everyone will be ready to roll when you send “Sushi Night” or “Omakaze” invitations by Paperless Post. Add a Guest Question to ensure none of your guests have an allergy to ingredients you may be using.
- Refreshments: You can make the rice and provide all the basic equipment to roll the sushi, such as bamboo rolling mats and nori seaweed sheets. Ask guests to bring their favorite sushi ingredients for the filling.
- Décor: Decorate the table with traditional Japanese décor like bamboo tableware or placemats and tiny bowls for dipping sauce.
- Activities: Create a playlist with traditional Japanese music, like Gagaku, or set up a karaoke space.
8. Pickle party
Throw a pickle-themed dinner party for a memorable and unique night guaranteed to be a really big dill. Sip martinis, sample different types of pickles, and play party games for an evening that definitely won’t leave guests sour.
- Invitation: Set the tone with the fitting “Pickle Lovers,” or make it a pickle-themed holiday party and send “Festive Pickle” by Paperless Post.
- Refreshments: Try a twist on the classic dirty martini with this Dill Pickle Martini recipe by Heartbeet Kitchen. Set a buffet table with an assortment of pickles (and encourage guests to bring their favorites). If you’re feeling adventurous, serve a Dill Pickle Pie Tart by Food52 for dessert.
- Décor: Stay on theme with green party supplies, and provide plates and napkins for a night of pickle sampling.
- Activities: Have guests compete in a blindfolded taste test to see if they can identify other pickled items—prepare bites of pickled carrots, beets, eggs, or whatever else you decide to brine!
9. Fondue feast
Great for warming up any winter gathering, fondue is the perfect dinner party theme for a cozy and crowd-pleasing night. Make it into a ’70s party complete with disco dancing and funky attire, or go for an après-ski theme, whether you’ve just hit the slopes or simply want to embrace the cabin vibes.
- Invitation: Give guests a preview of the melty goodness to come with “Fondue Feast,” or get them in the snowy spirit with “On the Slopes” by Paperless Post.
- Refreshments: Stock up on plenty of gruyère, Emmentaler, and sharp cheddar for a classic blend, and provide a varietal mix of bread, fruit slices, vegetables, and roasted potatoes for dipping. For dessert, whip up some delicious chocolate fondue (recipe by Mel’s Kitchen Cafe) and put out an assortment of strawberries, bananas, and marshmallows.
- Décor: Deck out your space in groovy decorations, like shimmering disco balls, for a throwback vibe. For a homey feel, place pillows and cushions on the floor for guests to get comfortable as they dig into all the cheesy and chocolatey treats.
- Activities: Allow everyone to serve themselves bites at their leisure, keep the wine or cocktails flowing, and make space for a dance floor—just so long as everyone isn’t too full to boogie the night away.
10. Celebration of sweets
Throw the party of your childhood dreams with a dessert-for-dinner theme. If your favorite part of any meal is the sweet treat at the end, switching things up with a “desserts only” night is the perfect idea to host a unique get-together that will leave everyone satisfied.
- Invitation: Brighten up their inbox with the colorful “Sweet Tooth” invitation by Paperless Post or embrace the playful whimsy of “Cookie Grab” by Joana Avillez.
- Refreshments: Prepare an assortment of sweet treats, from homemade cookies fresh from the oven to Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes (recipe by Sally’s Baking Addiction) that guests can decorate themselves. Serve up this decadent Chocolate Martini from The Pioneer Woman for a tasty cocktail that feels more like a dessert.
- Décor: Decorate your space with dessert-themed décor for a dinner party full of childlike wonder, and make any cake extra special with fun and festive cake toppers.
- Activities: Make it a dessert potluck, where guests are encouraged to bring their favorite treats—homemade or store-bought. For a summertime soirée, set up a DIY ice cream sundae bar for everyone to enjoy with an assortment of toppings and flavors.
Embrace your dinner party theme with Paperless Post
From planning the dinner party to tips for hosting the actual event, Paperless Post is here to make your next dinner party a smashing success—no matter the theme. When the party is over, get started on your next shindig with beautiful online invitations that’ll get your guests excited to come back.
Bring everyone together for a delicious meal with charming invitations you can email, text, or share. 
