Do you want to break the routine? I recommend an activity that is very fashionable in the United States and is gaining momentum in Spain: a mystery-themed dinner.
It's a great way to turn just another gathering of friends or family into a memorable evening, and I can assure you that if you try it, you'll end up repeating it.
It is an innovative concept that you can include in your next group meeting. You may still like the idea but you are wondering how can I organize a themed dinner? Simple, you just have to keep reading and know the essentials to spend a memorable night with friends and family.
A themed dinner is about a fad in English-speaking countries in which dinner guests take on the role of characters in a crime novel and try to solve the mystery before them, usually a murder, and find out who they are the culprit, in the Cluedo style.
Themed dinners are a custom typical of Anglo-Saxon countries that have become fashionable in recent years and have spread around the world. These events consist of a dinner that begins as a conventional gastronomic gathering.
However, at one point in the night an event occurs, usually a murder.
Dinner guests who take on the role of characters from a crime novel (we recommend the use of costumes to make it even more memorable) quickly become suspicious of each other.
One of the most important roles is the game master, he or she will be in charge of directing the story so that the guests get to solve the mystery without murdering someone during the dinner, this is usually the host of the dinner or even a hired person.
And the true is that is really funny! If you are thinking about to organize your own thematic dinner, I will give you some advices in order to everything to be a success.
A thematic mystery dinner is a safe activity that you will love. Although, you will need materials and a good planification in order to be successful. Do you want to learn how to do a mystery dinner? Follow the tips and you will succeed:
My first recommendation is to give you two options: create your own themed dinner or hire a professional to supply you with everything you need and guide you through the experience.
If you go for the second option you only have to worry about the food and the guest list.
When you book a dinner mystery you include: scripts, characters, conflicts, costumes, and everything that builds it up.
However, if you want to be original and personalise your mystery dinner, here are the steps to follow:
Do you want us to take care of your mystery dinner?
It is essential to select a theme for the mystery dinner. These can range from a murder, a robbery or an unusual situation.
The aim is for the guests to try to solve the mystery generated.
Try to make the atmosphere extravagant, mysterious or fanciful. If you hire a professional, he will obviously take care of all this.
However, if you do it on your own, you should consider the setting as it is key to having a memorable dinner, although sometimes a little improvisation is good.
The location is extremely important as it must be in accordance with the event we are going to prepare.
If it is a small meeting, with 8 or 10 people, a living room in a house may be enough. If you want something more intense and with a larger audience, a party room or a very open space is ideal.
In this type of thematic dynamics, the key to success is in the details. And one that makes a big difference is the props and equipment to be used.
You can make them yourself or buy some ready-made ones, such as a toy gun or an investigator's badge.
It all depends on what is to be done, but these elements of attraction and realism can never be missing from a mystery dinner.
You can look for old, used and very cheap things; you don't have to invest so much money but you do have to be creative in the placement of the objects.
Awards are characteristic of themed dinners but are not mandatory. However, you can give a symbolic gift to thank all the guests or just the winner for participating.
The important thing is to announce from the beginning that there is a reward for those who discover the mystery. This excites the participants.
As this is a mystery themed dinner, food is going to be the main protagonist , you don't want to leave your guests with an empty belly.
However, for convenience, you can do a buffet format, and while they are eating the event can take place.
The food can be a normal and a distracting element in a meeting and makes the guests lower their guard over the mystery that is going to be presented to them.
For the mystery dinner to make sense, you must have enough guests so that there are enough roles and suspects to make the event as memorable as possible.
That's why choosing a date where everyone can attend is important, usually good times such as birthdays, company dinners or stag and hen parties.
The number of people to invite depends on the selected theme. Many people can intervene in it. We recommend groups of minimum 6 people onwards.
Another factor that intervenes is the location and if it is suitable to receive that certain amount of individuals.
On the other hand, to find out whether or not your acquaintances want to participate in a mystery dinner, you can ask without being too invasive.
As a general enquiry, for example: Have you heard about theme dinners, it would be interesting to do one, wouldn't it? Depending on their reactions, you can have a poll of candidates.
At this point you already have a great idea of what your mystery dinner will look like, so now we present you how to combine everything. As you can see these are very extensive steps that require separate planning internally. It's time to make our theme party:
If you are interested in having a different experience dining with your friends or family, let us organize it for you. It can be at your house or in a place with dinner and open bar included anywhere in Spain and accompanied by a professional actor who will guide you during the game. Sign up!
If you have any questions, leave me a comment and I will respond as quickly as possible.
And remember that at Senda Ecoway we offer dozens of author experiences so you can forget about boredom in the best possible way.