American Idol Party
American Idol Party Supplies
at Birthday in a Box
American Idol Party Planning
- Begin your preparations by ordering party supplies four to six weeks in advance, to allow time for order processing and delivery, and for preparation and delivery of invitations if you'll be ordering and mailing them.
- You can make your party like an episode of American Idol, a particular season, an audition, an American Idol Reunion, or like a meeting of an American Idol fan club! Prepare your party and invitations according to the type of theme you choose.
- See our general party planning tips for a full party planning timetable.
Invitations:
- If you're ordering invitations, leave plenty of time to receive them and mail them out two weeks before the party.
- If you're making your own, here are some ideas. Use stickers or clip art to decorate the front of the invitations. Use silver prismatic wrapping paper or ribbon to glam up your invitations. Star stickers are a good addition. Remember to make the invitations a size that will fit envelopes you have or can purchase: 4 3/8" x 5 3/4" is the envelope size for an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper folded in 4 (or the same size cardstock, cut in half for two invitations, and each piece folded in half.)
- You can download free greeting card templates for Microsoft Word.
Decorations:
- A stage, which can be a raised platform, a sheet of plywood on the floor, or a solid colored rug to represent a stage. A raised platform can be as simple as several shipping pallets, often available free, with a sheet of plywood nailed on top.
- For a stage backdrop, use a solid color sheet, write American Idol in large outline letters with a black or blue marker, and fill in with silver or light blue glitter. If you don't want to use that much glitter, just fill in with light blue marker or paint. If your stage is between two windows, and they have curtain rods, you may be able to hang your backdrop on a rope tied between the curtain rods.
- If you're having a competition, you'll want a table for the judges, and chairs or other seating for the audience.
- Got some of those free promotional CDs in the mail for Internet access services? Use them as party decor, attaching them to the wall shiny side out. Or string them up and hang them from the ceiling. (Spray paint the label side first, with a solid color paint, if they'll be twirling around - or get printable labels for CDs, and print what you want on them!)
Food:
- Star shaped cookies with glittery sugar.
- Star-shaped sandwiches, cut out with a large cookie cutter or by hand.
- Make an American Idol cake. Start with a rectangular cake. Use white frosting. Write American Idol on it, add stars outlined with icing and filled in with sparkly silver sprinkles or colored sugar.
- Serve Sprite in plastic champagne glasses.
Activities:
- Have everyone come dressed as their favorite contestant, or they can be a new contestant. Those who want to compete get a contestant number, and get to perform. All performers get a prize. If you want to have a final winner, give them an even better prize.
- Instead of personal performances, the guests could participate in American Idol Karaoke.
- Provide some dress-up items for guests who arrive without special clothing but want to wear some.
- Watch an episode of American Idol, and have the guests be the judges and cast their own votes.
Pin the star on the contestant. Pin a large sheet of paper or poster board to a wall. Write each guest's name in random locations on it. Blindfold the participants one by one, hand them a star, spin them around gently a couple of times, and aim them in the direction of the poster. The person whose name has the most stars close to it is the winner!
Tips:
- Play American Idol CDs as party background music, and/or use them as prizes and gifts.