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Rainbow Theme Party


In our retirement community we have 5 different buildings and people get to know those who live in their building pretty well. I'm always trying to find an idea that gives the residents in one building a reason to talk with a resident from another building. In the past I have held pizza socials and invited different buildings to come together and they were successful, and I have created special events for the same purpose. The Rainbow Theme Party is a new special event that I introduced to the community this summer. Here are the details, so that you can plan it for yourself.

 

First, let me tell you that my inspiration came from Pinterest. Please take a minute to see my board for Rainbows.  You will find food and decoration ideas that are very cool. (I did not get my inspiration from searching adult rainbow party on the Internet and I suggest you save the time and the embarrassment and skip that step. And no, this is not a gay theme party - but could be if you wanted it to be, I guess.)

 

We held a reception at 4:30 p.m. in our Club House Lobby. We find this is the best place and time as residents are coming a distance to go to the nearby dining room which opens soon after the party ends. Each building was assigned a color of the rainbow and residents were asked to wear their specific color. Yes, there are more colors than I have buildings, so I selected what I thought they would have in their closet and would make a statement when mixed together. Those who wore their building's color received a raffle ticket for a prize drawing later that night. (I actually gave everyone a raffle ticket, hoping that it would draw them to the Auditorium after dinner to see the show. I suggest not saying that is what you will do ahead of time in order to get the most people dressing in their color.) Most of the people dressed in their colors and some got crazy with it. It was easy and fun for them to get into!

 

The Lobby was decorated with a rainbow balloon arch and it was the centerpiece of the evening! (I hired a professional for this.) This party was full of color. I made balloon bouquets that had one of each of the building’s colors in the bunch and placed them around the Lobby. The tables were covered with rainbow table covers, and the food was as close to picture perfect as the ones I have on Pinterest. (Suggestion: show your culinary department the ideas well in advance to determine what is do-able for them.) Make sure to look at the Activities Director's Store  to get a lot more supplies for your party (candy, clothing, decorations, etc.) I did buy rainbow bowties for the waiters/waitress to wear that evening.

 

For the entertainment, I found a performer who I've worked with in the past and told her the idea for the night. She sang songs with colors in their titles or lyrics as well as the most famous, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." She loved the concept of the party and shared that feeling during her show, which really helped to sell it. It was a hit.

 

This sounds very basic, but I honestly feel that sometimes you do not have to go all out, spend a ton of money, and bust your buns to make elaborate events to have the residents enjoy the special events that you create!
 
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