If you need to know how to plan a toga party, there’s also a possibility that you may need to know what one is. A toga party is a costume party. Guests wear a toga and sandals, in an attempt to look like ancient Greeks or Romans. Toga parties are popular on college campuses in the United States and Canada. They are also said to be popular in Australia. http://www.tntdownunder.com/partypics/72157620702947625.html Togas can be the theme garment for all sorts of occasions. New Years Eve, bachelor parties, reunions, graduations and even a Bar Mitzvah. http://www.lacaterer.com/party-theme-toga-party.html

After World War II, America “discovered” Italy and things reminiscent of the ancient Romans became fashionable. http://www.mariamilani.com/ancient_rome/toga_party.htm Toga parties were portrayed in the 1978 film “Animal House.” This helped boost the popularity of the toga party considerably. http://www.acmewebpages.com/animal/trivia.htm So, even though it is associated with the Greeks, because fraternities usually are named with Greek letters, the Romans really put the toga on the map as the ancient fashion which was the inspiration for the costume. http:// http://www.mariamilani.com/ancient_rome/roman_clothing.htm#Roman%20Toga Traditionally, women did not wear togas. http://www.roman-empire.net/society/soc-dress.html However, now women have an abundance of choices available. They can learn to make their own. http://www.ehow.com/how_4762608_make-toga-costume-women.html Or, to simplify things, toga costumes are available at party stores on the Internet and in retail locations.

Since the toga garb for the party is rather scanty (especially women’s toga costumes, quite often), you may want to plan the party during warm weather. Some of the activities for a toga party are better suited for outside fun than inside. Toga parties tend to be casual, so invitations sent via email or phone calls are acceptable. If you want to send toga party invitations, they are available at the larger party store chains.

The toga itself is typically made either from a white bed sheet, or several yards of fabric (4-5), which can actually be less expensive than a sheet. Fabric is available at major craft stores that have a fabric section. There are some toga partygoers who select different patterns and colors – you are not limited to white…it’s just traditional. You’ll also need a belt – thick “braided cord” is available at most large craft stores, along with the toga fabric. A leather belt is also fine. Sandals are the footwear of choice for a Toga party, but flip-flops will do in a pinch. For your hair, you will need to buy some imitation ivy and make a garland. Conveniently, this is also located at the craft store. You’ll need quite a bit, for the garland or wreath for your head, and also for decorating purposes. You can also get other imitation greenery to assist with your décor. An easy way to create the wreath is to wrap the ivy around a piece wire measured to the size of your head (coat hanger wire is about right), or you may be able to secure the ends without the wire. It depends on your hair. http://www.ehow.com/how_2047284_have-toga-party.html

Here’s how to wrap your toga. Take 3 feet of the fabric and wrap it around your waist about 1 ½ times, then throw the remainder over your shoulder. Then, take the fabric over your shoulder back to the waist and tie it or secure it. This is where the belt comes in. Make sure the garment is very secure. You might want to add a safety pin or two, especially for the ladies. http://www.howtomakeatoga.info/

Toga parties are supposed to be in honor of the Roman god, Bacchus, or his Greek counterpart, Dionysus. This is where the term, “bacchanalia” comes from – a festival of food and wine. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Bacchanalia These particular gods were the party gods, responsible for merriment and drinking wine. http://www.crystalinks.com/bacchus.html

With that in mind, you can plan your food around the ancient Greeks and Romans. For starters, they ate a lot of fruit and vegetables. So, a large fruit platter is a good start, and also a vegetable platter, both usually available at the grocery store. If possible, big bunches of grapes should be featured someplace on the platter, or separately. Take some photos of people feeding grapes to one another. This was a custom in those ancient times. The grape feeding, not the photos.

A cheese platter will go well with the fruit and vegetables. Dried fruits such as dates and figs, and some nuts will also lend to the authenticity of the theme. To complete this menu of nibbles, serve loaves of bread that the guests can break off themselves. For beverages, provide several bottles of wine and plastic glasses. You can also add beer and soft drinks. http://www.reasontoparty.com/toga_party.htm

If you seek more of an “Animal House” atmosphere, along the lines of a fraternity house toga party, the menu can be very simply beer – lots of beer – and snack food such as chips, pretzels and nachos. If you’d like it to be a bit more upscale, barbeque some hot dogs and burgers. http://www.funpartytheme.com/togapartytheme.html At this point, your toga party crosses paths with a kegger party.

An essential part of the toga party is the toga party chant. For no discernable reason and at any given time, someone will start to chant, “Toga, toga, toga…” until everyone joins in. If you are throwing the frat house version of a toga party, a great way to kick it off is by playing a video of “Animal House” in the background, at least as an icebreaker, while the party gets going. http://www.funpartytheme.com/togapartytheme.html

If you are outside and have access to a kiddie wading pool, you can enjoy some grape stomping. This will not be a sanitary activity, so there should be no expected outcome such as the making of wine or the sipping of grape juice. It’s just for fun. http://www.ehow.com/how_2047284_have-toga-party.html

A costume contest for best toga is a good idea. You can form categories – best men’s toga, best women’s toga, goofiest, most authentic – and award prizes accordingly. http://shindigzparty.wordpress.com/category/toga-party/ There are many items available at party stores you can purchase as prizes – flutes and tambourines are fun, but potentially noisy. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending upon how the party is going. Also at major party stores, you’ll find a wide selection of decorations for your toga party.