• Choose a theme that celebrates your school's character for you next Homecoming party.party cup ctreamers and party banners image by Warren Millar from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  Homecoming is a festive time when people celebrate their school spirit, so choose a fun, interactive theme that all your old classmates can enjoy. Whatever theme you pick, it will make planning homecoming party easier and help dictate your choices of decor, food and even clothing for the party.
  
  

Luau

• A Hawaiian luau is an especially good idea if your Homecoming weekend will take place during warm weather. Throw this party on your school's grassy common area or even on a vacant sports field. Place lots of tiki torches outside, and decorate with plenty of brightly-colored flowers and Hawaiian print fabric. When the guests arrive, give them Hawaiian leis, which can be found out any party store. You could also hand out grass skirts and coconut bras to the girls that they can wear over their clothes. Serve pork loin, which is a classic Hawaiian dish, along with grilled pineapple.
  
  

Mardi Gras

• Mardi Gras is one of the biggest parties in the world, so use it as the theme for you Homecoming party. Use traditional Mardi Gras colors - yellow, green and purple - for your decorations. Purchase lots of bead necklaces to use as centerpieces and give to your guests as they arrive. You can also find Mardi Gras masks at a party store; the masks can also serve as decorations and party favors. Mardi Gras parades typically feature local high school and college bands, so consider inviting your school's band to perform at the party. Go with traditional New Orleans cuisine, such as shrimp po' boys or crawfish etouffee. A classic king cake is the perfect dessert.
  
  

Costume Party

• Halloween doesn't have to be the only time of year for dressing up. Throw a costume party during Homecoming weekend. You can let guests dress up as whatever they like, or you can choose a specific theme for costumes. For example, ask your guests to pair up and dress like famous couples. You could also ask everyone to dress as their favorite actor or rock star. A fun way to tie a costume party into your school's Homecoming is to ask people to dress as famous or well-known people who attended the school. They could also dress as their favorite teacher or other school icon. Serve party food that goes with your school colors. For example, for red and white school colors, serve pizzas with both marinara sauce and a white cheese sauce.
  
  

1980s

• A party theme focusing on the past is perfect for a Homecoming party, because homecoming is all about celebrating a school's past. A class that graduated in the 1980s, for example, can resurrect the outrageous styles of that decade. Decorate with bright, neon colors, and play '80s music all night long. Hang posters that detail important milestones for your school from the 1980s. Ask your guests to dress up like they are back in the '80s. Guys can wear acid-washed, skin tight jeans and member's only jackets. Girls can look for dresses with puffy sleeves and tease their hair for the occasion. Half the fun at this party will be laughing at everyone else's look.