Murder mystery parties are becoming increasingly popular. While you can hire an event planner to stage the production in your home, the following information applies only to home parties with self-decoration efforts that allow you and your guests to play all roles. The level of success and enjoyment will of course vary, depending on the personality of the guests and their acting talent! The more time and money you put into planning your party, the better the results will be.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Planning a Murder Mystery Party
Step 1. Decide whether to buy murder mystery party supplies or make your own
Most kits consist of scripts, game rules, costume ideas, and some recipe ideas. Therefore, you should try to incorporate these elements into your own design.
- If you decide to make your own game, make sure the story is plausible, spooky, and looks interesting.
- Divide the story into a number of scenes that can be acted out during the night.
- Give each character a backstory that's not only unique, but also fits various clues.
- Make sure that it's possible to find the culprit by jotting down clues, asking questions about the other protagonists, and putting them together. While of course there will be some suspects, only the guilty will follow the lead.
Step 2. Choose a party theme
Don't be afraid to experiment with unusual ideas, such as fantasy-themed mysteries or a desert in ruins. Of course, if you choose to use a ready-to-use kit, the available themes will be limited. But even so, you can still find a theme that can be tailored to your needs.
Step 3. Select the location where the party will be held
For smaller gatherings attended by no more than eight to 10 people, your home can be used. However for larger groups, a dining room or other public location would be a better choice.
Another consideration in determining the location is the time of year. Unless you live in a temperate climate like California, you definitely don't want to have an outdoor party in the winter
Step 4. Gather all the party supplies and decorations
The theme will determine what kind of objects need to be created for the mystery setting. Oftentimes, you can use things you have around your house, such as old shoes to make footprints or a knife as a murder weapon. If not, look for equipment at a flea store or garage sale, which are usually inexpensive, too.
Step 5. Decide how the prize will be given
Some people decide to give one prize to the person who uncovers a murder, while others also decide to give a reward for other achievements. Giving a single gift is best done to bring out the guests' competitive instincts, while large gifts encourage more disclosure effort.
Gift ideas in bulk include things like the best costumes, the best looks, the richest players, and more
Step 6. Define the menu
A murder mystery party is better when it includes a buffet meal or a number of meals each participant brings rather than a full course meal. The main reason for this is to free up the host to concentrate on the activity, knowing that the food is ready and available.
- Plan as many meals as there are scenes in the murder mystery.
- If you decide to provide a full course meal, ask for help putting together a party or play a smaller character so you don't feel overwhelmed.
Step 7. Set a party date
Check with your friends ahead of time so they can imagine when they will have free time before setting a date. This is especially appropriate if you want to throw a party at a busy time of year, such as the Christmas holidays.
Step 8. Define the guest list
Invite only people who will be deeply involved in the fun. Everyone present needs to play a role enthusiastically. Not only do they have to be great actors, but they have to be willing to get over the bar and play someone else for a few hours.
- You'll know which guests would enjoy playing a character with a fair amount of words and deeds, and which would prefer to play a smaller, insignificant role.
- The best way to make sure that everyone is having fun is to ask your friends who's interested in joining. Let their responses be your guide.
Step 9. Send invitations
Give invitees at least three to six weeks. before the event. If you are hosting a party during a busy season, you may need to send out invitations early. The more time intervals you set, the easier it will be for you and your guests.
- Arrange for the players to arrive at the location earlier than the other guests so that they can be prepared when the others arrive.
- Tell the players to keep their character a secret, even from their lover or husband/wife! Having no one knowing everyone's role will make the party fun from start to finish.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing for the Party
Step 1. Start by setting up early
If the party is going to be held at home, you can put up the decorations the day before. If it's going to be somewhere else, get there early in the morning to put up the decorations and get everything ready.
Step 2. Define the table
Go for a more intimate setting instead of placing everyone around one long table. Guests should be able to share ideas with each other throughout the storyline.
Consider adding candles on the table to enhance the atmosphere
Step 3. Place the clues where guests can find them
Since most of the activity will take place around the dining table or wherever you choose to gather everyone, good places to put pointers include under a guest's plate, behind a sofa upholstery, or under a guest chair. If you're going to be driving guests around, hints can be placed in other places, such as a bookshelf or desk drawer.
Step 4. Prepare the food
If you're going to be providing a full course meal instead of take-out or buffet-style meals, try to finish cooking early. You'll want to feel free to mingle with the guests and take part in the game.
Part 3 of 3: Having a Party
Step 1. Greet guests as they arrive
Offer drinks or appetizers. Ideally, gather them in one location so the mystery can begin as soon as everyone arrives.
Step 2. Let the guests mingle with the players
Let them get to know everyone by walking around and asking questions. It's a good mood-breaker and helps everyone get involved in the story.
Step 3. Give guests time to act with caution
Don't rush mealtime. Let the guests enjoy the food and chat with each other about who they think is the killer.
Take care that guests' conversations don't stray into other topics. It's normal to have conversations that extend to other topics, but try not to go too far
Step 4. Keep guests guessing until the end
You can let players mingle with guests between scenes, and depending on their role, they can give useful hints or hints that take the wrong way. Don't let anyone feel too sure they've uncovered a murder!
Step 5. Play background music
The right music will not only elevate the mood, it will also fill the silence in the conversation. Specifying a continuous shuffle setting on your MP3 player or CD player is a great way to keep music playing.
Step 6. Have all the guests gather after the killer is revealed and the prize is given
Gathering guests to sit down and start uncovering some secrets or schemes at work is always a pleasure.
Everyone will be amazed at how many things happen all the time without them realizing it
Tips
- Make sure everyone is involved in the whole mystery, whoever they are, because no one wants to feel left out.
- If you think the surprise might be easy to spot, ask your uninvolved relative to work on the details that could lead to it! It will also be more enjoyable for you.
- You can always give people a character they're not like, like giving a shy person a outgoing character to try to bring out their nerves. But make sure the characters are not too different. It is possible that they have similar interests.
- Attend someone else's murder mystery party before throwing your own party to get an idea of what to expect.
- Arrange fingerprints, footprints, and "evidence" for people to find.
- Be careful if you decide to write your own mystery game. This will take a lot of time, and if you leave anything unclear in the story, your party could be disrupted.
- To design a larger party with professional actors, equipment, sound and lighting, you should search the internet for "Murder Mystery Dinner Theater" with your location.
