A Toga Party is a fun and classic theme party where guests dress in Roman-inspired costumes, usually involving sheets or fabric wrapped in a way that mimics the ancient Roman toga. It’s a party that’s all about creativity, fun, and embracing the playful nature of the theme. Whether you’re celebrating a college event, a birthday, or just looking for a unique way to gather with friends, a toga party can be an unforgettable experience! Here’s how you can plan the ultimate Toga Party:

1. Invitations

The invitations set the tone for your toga party, so make them as playful or formal as you want!

  • Ancient Scrolls: Create invitations that look like ancient scrolls. Use tea-stained paper or parchment-style paper, roll them up, and tie them with a piece of twine for an authentic look.
  • Toga Theme: Use images of ancient Roman statues, laurel wreaths, and columns on the invite. A fun tagline could be: “Come for the wine, stay for the toga!”
  • Digital Invites: If you’re inviting people online, use playful and themed graphics or a video invite that features Roman gods or gladiators.

2. Venue & Decor

Transform your space into a Roman palace, a gladiator arena, or a decadent Roman banquet!

Venue Ideas

  • Backyard Party: If the weather permits, host your toga party in a backyard with plenty of room to roam and dance, just like a Roman feast or celebration.
  • Indoor Roman-Style Room: If indoors, think of creating a Roman villa ambiance with columns, drapes, and candles.

Decor Ideas

  • Columns and Pillars: Decorate the space with DIY Roman columns (made from pool noodles, white wrapping paper, or cardboard) to create a majestic feel.
  • Laurel Wreaths: Provide guests with laurel wreaths to wear as they enter. You can make them from faux leaves and gold spray paint for a classic Roman look.
  • Roman Statues: Set up statues (either real or replica) of Roman gods or gladiators, or use cardboard cutouts.
  • Gold and Red Color Scheme: Incorporate gold, deep reds, and creamy whites into your décor—think Roman-style luxury with gold accents on tableware, napkins, and tablecloths.
  • Candles and Torches: Use flickering candles or flameless LED torches to create an atmospheric, ancient Roman vibe.
  • Banners: Hang up banners with Roman motifs, such as eagles, shields, and crests. You can even print out some Roman numerals as fun table markers.
  • Fabrics: Drape rich fabrics like velvet, linen, or cotton to create flowing drapes along walls, tables, and furniture.

3. Food & Drinks

The food should feel opulent and indulgent, resembling the rich banquets of ancient Rome, while still being easy to serve and enjoy at a party.

Food Ideas

  • Finger Foods: Serve grilled meats, cheese platters, olives, and bread, which were popular at Roman feasts.
  • Fruit Platters: Offer a fruit platter featuring grapes, figs, and melon as they were common fruits in ancient Rome.
  • Cheese and Bread: Serve a mix of cheeses like brie, mozzarella, or aged cheddar with crusty bread or pita chips.
  • Lamb or Chicken Skewers: Offer lamb skewers or chicken kebabs, which would fit the Roman banquet theme perfectly.
  • Hummus and Dips: Include Mediterranean-style dips like hummus, tzatziki, and olive tapenade to add authenticity.
  • Pasta Salad or Grains: Serve pasta salads or grain-based salads with fresh vegetables, olives, and feta cheese to emulate Roman-inspired fare.
  • Pudding or Pie: Consider a Roman-style honey cake or pudding for dessert.

Drinks

  • Wine: Rome was famous for its wine, so offer plenty of wine—both red and white.
  • Roman Punch: Serve a signature Roman punch with wine, fruit juices, and rum or vodka for a fun twist. Add citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, or pomegranates.
  • Beer and Cider: For those who prefer beer, serve a selection of beer or cider, along with some fun Roman-style mugs or goblets.
  • Non-Alcoholic Options: For non-drinkers, offer mocktails like a Roman berry spritz or citrus cooler made with sparkling water, citrus juice, and a touch of honey.

4. Dress Code

The most iconic part of a toga party is, of course, the toga itself! Guests will be dressing in variations of Roman-inspired garments.

  • Togas: Encourage guests to wear toga-style outfits. You can make simple togas by purchasing inexpensive white sheets and draping them creatively (with safety pins or brooches). For an added touch, consider using gold accents (for belts or arm cuffs).
  • Accessories: Add Roman-inspired accessories like gold laurel wreaths, sandals, and arm bands.
  • Roman-Inspired Costumes: If you want to amp up the costume level, guests can also come dressed as Roman gods, gladiators, or empresses.
  • Toga Party Theme Variations: Encourage your guests to personalize their togas with bright colors (like red or purple) or add a funny twist with mismatched patterns for a lighthearted vibe.

5. Music

Set the tone with fun and engaging music that matches the ancient Roman theme while keeping the energy high.

  • Roman or Classical Music: Use classical Roman-inspired music or orchestral gladiator-themed soundtracks for a dramatic vibe. Think of something like the “Gladiator” movie soundtrack.
  • Modern Dance Mix: For a modern twist, create a dance playlist with upbeat party tracks that your guests can groove to. Incorporate dance remixes of ancient or traditional Roman music for a fun crossover.
  • Interactive Music: If you have a DJ or music system, consider hosting a Roman-themed dance-off or singing contest to keep the energy high.

6. Activities & Games

Add some fun, interactive elements to your toga party to keep your guests entertained!

Gladiator Games

  • Gladiator Challenges: Host friendly Gladiator-style competitions like tug-of-war, relay races, or sword fighting with foam swords.
  • Roman Trivia: Test your guests’ knowledge with a Roman trivia game or quiz, with questions about ancient Rome, famous emperors, and gladiators.

Toga Contest

  • Best Toga Contest: Have a contest for the best toga and offer fun prizes for categories like most creative, most authentic, or funniest toga.

Roman Name Generator

  • Roman Name Cards: Assign guests a Roman name upon arrival (using a name generator or simple list of famous Roman figures) and have them refer to each other by their “Roman” names throughout the party.

7. Party Favors

Send your guests home with something that keeps the Roman theme alive!

  • Mini Laurel Wreaths: Give each guest a small laurel wreath (made from faux leaves or gold-painted branches) as a party favor.
  • Roman Coins: Hand out gold-colored chocolate coins wrapped in Roman-inspired packaging as a sweet keepsake.
  • Roman Goblets: If you want a more substantial gift, give guests Roman-style goblets or mugs they can use during the party.

8. Special Touches

Small details can really enhance the toga party experience.

  • Roman Statues or Busts: Rent or buy small Roman busts or statues of famous emperors or gods and place them around the party space.
  • Roman Columns: Create DIY columns out of cardboard, foam, or pool noodles for an elegant touch.
  • Photo Booth: Set up a Roman-themed photo booth with props like Roman helmets, gladiator swords, and toga fabrics for guests to take photos.

9. Prizes

Award fun prizes for different categories during the party:

  • Toga Contest Prizes: Best toga, most creative toga, and funniest toga.
  • Gladiator Game Winners: Prizes for the victors of any games or contests (like themed medals, Roman-inspired trophies, or funny novelty gifts).
  • Roman Trivia Winners: A small gift for the person who answers the most trivia questions correctly, such as a Roman coin or trophy.

A Toga Party is an opportunity to get creative, have fun, and enjoy a night full of laughter, great food, and the excitement of ancient Rome. It’s the perfect theme for letting loose and celebrating with friends, while also enjoying the playful nature of dressing up and embracing a wild theme!