When it comes to excuses to have a party or game night, we're full of them. You don’t have to do much to convince us there’s a good reason to get friends together and make way too much food to share. And if there’s a theme? Even better! Whether it's a Taco Tuesday fiesta game night, a 1920s murder mystery dinner party, or a Casino Royale inspired night of cards and dice, count us in.

If you still need some convincing, though, here are the top 5 reasons you should host a themed game night.

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1. It's budget friendly.

With inflation rates climbing over 8% in 2022, we're all looking for ways to have fun and entertain ourselves on a budget. Hosting a game night is an affordable way to get all your friends together without anyone breaking the bank. And adding a theme makes game night feel like a special event — more than just a standard Monopoly night with your besties. Have everyone pitch in for snacks and drinks and piece together simple costumes and decor from items you already have lying around. When everyone volunteers to bring a thing or two, you can easily host a themed game night for just a few bucks a person. Sure, that number can go up depending on how elaborate you get with refreshments (we're lookin’ at you, charcuterie junkies), but when the average cost of dinner, drinks, and a movie for 2 is between $96.52 and $114.16, a fun night in will always prove more wallet-friendly.

Bonus benefit: If you've ever been the friend that has had to turn down an invite because you didn't have the cash for the festivities planned, you know how valuable it is to offer a "pitch in what you can" kind of party where financial differences in a friend group are less isolating.

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2. Everyone needs a healthy escape sometimes.

Let's be honest, who isn't looking for a bit of an escape every now and then? Life can be stressful, and taking time to unwind and leave behind the day's worries is good for your mental health. Dressing up and getting into character gives you a chance to get out of your own head for a while. Whether you have never attended a theme party or played a role-playing game in your life, or you live for Gatsby-themed flapper parties or Dungeons & Dragons, there’s a lot of fun in putting on a face and pretending to be someone else for an evening. You can muster your best acting chops and dive deep into character-based role-playing games, or simply put on a costume and enjoy some casual party games. Either way, studies have shown that there are tons of creative and mental benefits to "getting into character" every now and then.

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3. Themed menus.

Remember the charcuterie junkies we poked fun at in point #1? Well, this is your time to shine. One of our favorite parts of hosting a themed game night is putting together a killer themed snack spread. No matter what theme you settle on for your party, there is an adorable hors d'oeuvre or a hilarious dessert pun waiting to be made. Think “Frodo Fingers” (a spin on classic ladyfinger cookies) at a Lord of the Rings themed party, or a spooky smoked cocktail at a murder mystery dinner.

Not into cooking? No worries — there are tons of things that can be bought at the store and given a clever label to make them on-theme. Grab some Cow Tales from the candy section for a Wild West party, or scatter some of the classic chocolate coins around the dessert table for a Pirate-themed game lineup. A quick Pinterest search will turn up tons of ideas for any theme you can think of, whether you’re looking for totally effortless or ultra-elaborate.

And if Sandra Lee and Ina Garten have taught us anything, it's that there is a cocktail for every occasion.

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4. There's something for everyone.

Our favorite thing about games is that there is a game out there for everyone, no matter your age, personality, or interests. From strategy games that encourage friendly competition, to casual party games that keep you laughing for hours, to cooperative games with that glorious moment of celebration when your group succeeds, games create spaces for us to bond and make memories. They have a way of bringing people together and helping us find common interests. A game night is a low-pressure way to hang out with old friends, meet new ones, and get to know people better.

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5. Themed nights are fun before, during, and after the party.

Introducing a theme for your game night extends the fun by giving everyone something to look forward to. When you host a themed event, you create anticipation and get people excited before the party even arrives. Your guests get to daydream of all the possibilities for their costumes, recipes they want to try, and decorations they can make. A theme makes getting ready for game night as much fun as actually playing the games! And when your game night is over, everyone can look forward to planning your next theme together.

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Get the party started

All in all, a themed game night is an affordable way to bring people together and give your crew something fun to look forward to. Not sure where to start? StoryPop makes it easy to plan and host an unforgettable themed game night, all with one simple app.

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