Aiyaz Crystal Wine Glasses

Wine Glass Costume

How To Throw A Great Toga Party!

About once a year I feel this need to make my friends dress up ridiculous and come to my house for some fun. I've had some creative theme parties in the past: 70's Disco, 80's Punk, Saturday Night Live, Polyester, Christmas, Halloween, but my all time favorite has to be the TOGA party. My friends are all over 40 and surprisingly have no problem wrapping their bodies in sheets to come over for a few beers.

I sent invitations out a good 3 weeks in advance. They had a photo of my husband eating grapes in a toga, to let people know we were serious about the dress code.

I believe this party was a huge success because guests didn't have to be extra creative and they certainly didn't have to shop for a costume (a big complaint at our other parties). No one had to diet the week before the party so they could fit into their outfit. They could easily go to their linen closets an hour before the party to find their sheet. A simple belt around the waste and some flip flops sealed the ensemble. Finally, with a few branches tied together from the shrubs out front, they had a head wreath and were ready to go.

The fact that EVERYONE came dressed in full TOGA made it extra fun. Some had themes on top of their togas. Like a Viking fan's toga accents were long purple and gold braids, a cowgirl's toga was accessorized with hat and boots. My head wreath had blinking white lights and a battery pack attached to it for some extra sparkle.

There were a few more details I had to tie together to get my party decor just right: A visit to the local craft stores helped me find 9 foot strands of green olive leaves that I intertwined with mini white Christmas lights and zig-zagged across all the ceilings on the first floor of my house. This gave us that feeling that we were outside in Rome. I borrowed candelabras from many friends and had candles lit everywhere on the 1st floor of the house. (Don't forget to blow those out at the end of the night.)

For the dining room, I brought in some garden statues of goddesses from my neighbors yard and set them in the middle of my dining room table, surrounded with leaves and greens. I found and purchased a plastic 3-tiered punch fountain for $60 from a restaurant supply store. I filled it with cosmopolitans and had a selection of HuePhoria cosmo glasses from www.huephoria.com on the table next to it for the partygoers so no one would lose their glass. Wine was also served from HuePhoria goblets for an extra touch of party fun!

The bathrooms each have a big basket on the counter with all those necessities a partygoer may need at any point during the evening. Deodorant, breath spray & mints, hair spray, comical gadgets, etc. My friends sneak their own accessories into the baskets to give me a good laugh for my cleanup in the morning.

I never spend a lot of money on food for a good party. My closest friends always offer to bring something and I happily accept. Then I know the food will be a good variety and each appetizer is made with care. For the toga party, I did go to my local greek restaurant and order up a few trays of olives/hummus/grapeleaves, etc. to have on the table. Remember, if the party starts at 7p.m., guest arrive at 7:30-ish (fashionably late) and most of them have already eaten so you don't need a huge spread of heavy food. Finger foods do the trick. I always make my famous sugar cookies and chose a leave cookie cutter for that evening.

Small green jello shots were set at the front door to greet all the guests and put them in the right frame of mind. You can buy the little plastic cups at any restaurant supply store. Ware all over 40 so it doesn't get that wild that easily anymore. Above the front door hung a sheet reading TOGA similar to Animal House. Had the weather been nicer, we might have thrown the basement couches on the front lawn but we chose not to that night in fear of rain.

This is one party that you MUST buy a KEG for because it goes along with your theme. Then you need to find the neighbor who always stands next to the keg at parties (Glen) and throw a pitcher in his hand. That way, there will always be a quick pour when needed.

Music makes the party at my house. LOUD music. If I have to invest in one thing to make a party rock, it is a good pair of BOSE speakers. My 5 hour ipod playlist is carefully chosen with a mix of awesome songs from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. It is always set so that rocking dance music starts to play an hour and 1/2 into the party because that's when people start to feel their happy feet.

It is a tradition in our home to move all the furniture out of our family room for big parties, hang a disco ball and spotlight in the center of the room, roll up our carpets and turn our hard woods into a dance floor. The music in the family room is very loud to get people to dance and it flows into all the quieter surrounding rooms just perfectly. People who want to talk can stay in the kitchen and dining areas. I hate going to parties with no music. They tend to end early... if you haven't noticed. Not the TOGA party! The dance floor was loaded with the playing of great songs like "Louie Louie", "Shout" & "Tossin' & Turnin'". The dancing didn't end until the party ended!

I used to love to burn CD's as party favors with the top 14 songs of the night but now that the crowd has gotten larger, that isn't so easy to do. It is a good thought if you have less than 50 guests but over that is too much work.

Finally, don't knock yourself out cleaning because your house will be a mess the next day! No one can see a dirty floor or dusty shelf at night... in a crowded party... with lots of candles. Pick up your stuff but don't stress out scrubbing everything. I know too many people who don't have parties because they get way too stressed entertaining. It is supposed to be fun. Have a good time and don't worry because everything comes together just fine. We always have a great crowd of people who just want to let loose!

My favorite all time quote is from Julie Childs -

"And above all, have a good time!"

About the Author

I'm an artist who started a small partyware business with some friends, out of my kitchen, so I could stay home with the kids. www.huephoria.com. I Graduated from Colorado State University with a Fine Arts degree. I love a houseful of kids and a good laugh. I'm obsessed with entertaining and I love party crashers!

Wine Glass Jewelry Mold $17.95 Create Cast Glass Pendants Fill pendant molds with glass frit, scrap and powders to create one-of-a-kind cast glass jewelry. Try combining powders to create a marbled look or accent with dichroic. The possibilities are endless. Ceramic molds can be used many times. Coat with MR-97 93701. Mold measures 3-1/4 long x 2-3/8 wide. Finished pendant measures 1-7/8 high x 2-1/2 long at the widest points. Images courtesy of Creative Paradise Inc.

Greek Wine Goddess Costume - Roman and Greek Costumes $29.69 This Greek Wine Goddess Costume includes the white and burgundy ombré gown with a graceful swag draped bodice, neckline and shoulders, and the gold leaf headpiece. Dress your date up as Dionysus or Bacchas for a truly rolicking couples look!

Pirate Spy Glass - Pirate Costume Accessories $9.04 Pirate Spy Glass - Pirate Costume Accessories

Sherlock Holmes' Magnifying Glass - Halloween Costume Accessories $7.39 This magnifying glass is perfect for a Sherlock Holmes costume!

Wine Bottle Panel $45.95 Add Color and Excitement to Even the Dullest Window The bright colors and fun design of this wine bottle will bring a bit of cheer to your day. Handmade suncatcher features real stained glass and bright nickel plating that will shine for years to come. Measures 8 x 8. Sold finished.

Wine Rack Mold $64.95 Durable ceramic molds from Creative Paradise can be used many times. Create wine racks perfect for special events, kitchens and more. Designed to easily hold up to 8 standard size wine bottles. Mold measures 6 wide by 14-3/4 long. Pre-drilled. Shelf wash before use. Images courtesy of Creative Paradise.

Flat Top Wine Bottle Stopper $6.95 Add a touch of glass to your kitchen with a beautiful glass art wine bottle stopper. Make the perfect conversation piece for a holiday party or an unforgettable gift. Stylish stopper features a blank specially made for fused or stained glass. When not being used, keep your glass art stoppers on display with stand 63973 (sold separately). Features a thicker stainless steel outer shell so they can be used for extended storage without pitting. Food safe. Flat Top bottle stopper shown below with 63931 Round Top bottle stopper and displayed in a wine bottle. Little Flowers Bottle Stopper project image courtesy of Diamond Tech.

Long Mandrel Wine Bottle Stopper $6.95 Add a touch of glass to your kitchen with these beautiful wine bottle stoppers. Make the perfect conversation piece for a holiday party or an unforgettable gift. The mandrel Wine Bottle Stopper allow you to change the display beads easily. When not being used, keep your glass art stoppers on display with stand 63973 (sold separately). Long Mandrel measures 4; for beads with holes of at least 3/32 diameter. If creating your own lampworked beads use 7337 3/32 mandrels. NOTICE Bottle stoppers are for multiple short term use not to exceed one week at a time. They are for display and serving not long term storage which can cause pitting and flaking of the plating due to acidic buildup in the wine from oxidation.

Short Mandrel Wine Bottle Stopper $6.95 Add a touch of glass to your kitchen with these beautiful wine bottle stoppers. Make the perfect conversation piece for a holiday party or an unforgettable gift. The mandrel Wine Bottle Stopper allow you to change the display beads easily. When not being used, keep your glass art stoppers on display with stand 63973 (sold separately). Short Mandrel measures 1-1/4; for beads with holes of at least 1/8 diameter. If creating your own lampworked beads use 324418 1/8 mandrels. NOTICE Bottle stoppers are for multiple short term use not to exceed one week at a time. They are for display and serving not long term storage which can cause pitting and flaking of the plating due to acidic buildup in the wine from oxidation.

Round Top Wine Bottle Stopper $7.95 Add a touch of glass to your kitchen with a beautiful glass art wine bottle stopper. Make the perfect conversation piece for a holiday party or an unforgettable gift. Stylish stopper features a blank specially made for fused or stained glass. Stopper top measures 1 in diameter. When not being used, keep your glass art stoppers on display with stand 63973 (sold separately). Features a thicker stainless steel outer shell so they can be used for extended storage without pitting. Food safe. Round Top bottle stopper shown below with 63932 Flat Top bottle stopper. Project created by artist Melanie Churchill using 1 pre-cut Clear and Ivory Circles ( 24630, 24632) and Floral Fuse Art decals 427867.Artist Kayleigh McGrath used 1 pre-cut circles with 427844 Mixed Colors Confetti.

Wine Glass $49.99 Wine Glass - Giclee Print

Wine Sagger Mold $27.95 Create recycled art and slump a bottle, or use fusible glass to create this bottle shape. Reusable mold is predrilled and can be fired many times. Mold must be kiln washed before use. Measures 15-1/2 x 4-1/4.

Wine Bottle Stopper Base, One Hole $4.95 Display your custom-made wine stopper in style with this beautiful wooden base. A great way to show off your unique bottle stopper at parties or on your dinner table while the wine is in use. Please note that this is the one hole version.

Wine Bottle Stopper Base, Two Hole $4.95 Display your custom-made wine stopper in style with this beautiful wooden base. A great way to show off your unique bottle stopper at parties or on your dinner table while the wine is in use. Please note that this is the two hole version.

Pre-cut Wine Bottle Ring Kit $29.95 Make a delightful stained glass suncatcher in an afternoon. The bright colors and fun design of this wine bottle will bring a bit of cheer to your day. Perfect for decorating your kitchen or any room. Kit includes pre-cut glass pieces, metal ring and complete instructions. Lead came not included. Finished project measures 8 diameter. Assemble with lead came 5593 (sold separately). Delphi Tip Stretch and straighten lead before wrapping glass pieces. Each 6 and 39; piece of lead will stretch 2-3. On average, you will use 2 pieces of lead per pre-cut ring or panel kit, and 1 piece of lead per night light or votive kit.

Girls Colonial Costume - Colonial Costumes $37.94 Kids Halloween Costumes - Girls Colonial Costume includes the long wine-colored dress with an attached peplum, bell sleeves, and a faux lace-up bodice with white lace and braided gold trim.

Grapes Halloween Costume - Green Deluxe $79.99 Is The Grapes of Wrath one of your favorite books!? Do you like to wine when pressed? If so, this is a hilarious look designed for you! The Green Grapes Halloween Costume is a delight! Our Green Deluxe Grapes Halloween Costume comes with a light green hood and light green leaf costume! But that's not the best part! This also comes with dozens of green balloons to transform you into a fun and flirty fruit! Pair this costume up with white mitts and green tights for the total package! So order this today and put everyone in great spirits!

Womens Sexy Twister Costume $26.99 If you’ve never played Twister before, then you’ve obviously been missing out. Twister is one of the few board games I can think of that only gets better with time (like a fine wine or a vinegar). Sprinkling a healthy dose of hotness and making it into a costume certainly doesn’t hurt its case, either.It’s everybody’s favorite Hasbro board game from the 1960’s, now in costume form. The Women’s Sexy Twister Costume comes with a Twister dress, a garter belt, arm puffs, and a spinner hat. I don’t know what an evening looks like with this costume on, I just know it’s going to be a good one. It has to be. The Women’s Sexy Twister Costume is the ultimate in board game attire for this Halloween. It’s the hottest board game sweeping the nation for a reason.

Party Animal Costume $47.95 Every party needs someone to kick it up into overdrive and that man is the essential Party Animal. This year show them how it's done in this Party Animal Costume! This five piece Party Animal Costume comes with everything you need to be the Party Animal that is essential for any party to stay alive. This Party Animal Costume comes with an "Ultimate Party Animal" sweater and white collared top and monkey mask. This costume also features a utility belt with convenient beverage belt and shot glass.

Plus Size Lucy Costume $32.95 Whether causing trouble at the chocolate factory or wreaking havoc at the wine press, Lucy has remained America's sweetheart for almost as long as television has existed! If you want to go with a classic and lovely look for your Halloween gathering, go with this Plus Size Lucy Costume! Including a satin polka dot dress, apron with the I Love Lucy insignia, and a satin hair bow, you'll be the spitting image of Lucille Ball! Want to put the finishing polish on that Plus Size Lucy Costume? Grab one of our wide variety of wigs to get your Lucy costume down to perfection!

Girls Fancy Flapper Costume $29.95 Whether partying on the boardwalk of Atlantic City or the cobblestones of the Rue Morgue or the North Shore, this is the perfect outfit! In fact, not only would it be a great look circa 1925, but it has only gotten better with time, aging like so much wine! The glitz and glamour of the Gilded Age is alive and well in the Girls Fancy Flapper Costume! For fans of history and heights of sartorial sensibility this is the outfit for you! And for everyone else, trust me: This costume is wonderful. There’s no better looking decade than the 1920’s and there’s few better costumes than the Girls Fancy Flapper Costume! It’s both classy and classic! It’s win-win!

Jesus Costume Wig and Beard $16.95 He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and turned water into wine! And now, this guy is coming back from the grave to have a great party! If you're looking for sheer perfection in finishing your holiest of holy Halloween costumes, be blessed with the Jesus Costume Wig and Beard! Our Jesus Costume Wig and Beard comes with a full shiny brown beard with soft waves and a matching chocolate brown wavy wig with a center part! You don't have to pray for a miracle in order to get this look! Order the Jesus Costume Wig and Beard today!

Adult Jesus Costume $35.95 The guy can walk on water, then turn around and change that water into wine. It's pretty safe to say that when it's time to go to your party, people will be flocking to you! Whether going satirical or truly wanting to show off the son of the Trinity, this Adult Jesus Costume will have you ready to go in as authentic a style as we can gather! With the robe, crown of thorns, and the perfect wig and beard set, you'll be ready to feed the five thousand in no time! Grab the Adult Jesus Costume today, and group up with some of our other religiously themed costumes!

19 1/2 Wine Connoisseur Lamp Pattern $20.95 Make a beautiful Tiffany-style lamp with the Worden system. Pattern uses 366 pieces and makes a 12 high 19.5 wide lamp. It also includes instructions and glass suggestions. Use with sectional form G19.5 (sold separately).

Humpty Dumpty Costume - Kids $28.95 All the king's horses and all the king's men... Well, they won't have to do anything, because this egg costume is filled with foam! Letting your child run loose in this Halloween costume will crack everyone up as they embody one of everyone's most easily remembered childhood storybook character! From the wall through the Looking Glass, people across the world will easily recognize this Kids Humpty Dumpty Costume and immediately become nostalgic! This is no bad egg, Mother Goose, so dress your child in this Kids Humpty Dumpty Costume today!

Reggae Costume - Mens $24.99 Are you a guy who'd love to live right near the beach? Perhaps sipping on some red, red wine and you're feeling so fine?! If this sounds like you, then lawdamercy, you need this Mens Reggae Costume! Our Mens Reggae Costume comes with a black tunic with lace-up closure on the front and red, yellow, and green decorations on the front! This tunic also has red, yellow, and green stitching on the cuffs to give it that Rastafarian flair! But no Ras is complete without long locks springing from the head! That's why this costume also comes with a red, yellow, and green tam with a head full of dreadlocks attached! You'll be hanging out in dancehalls with chalices in no time! Bring this home and feel the Marley spirit come alive!

Twilight Hooded Dress - Halloween Costume Accessories $51.94 Breathe a little mystery into your life by stepping out in this wine colored velvet zip front Twilight dress! Featuring frog closure detailing down the front, gathered cuffs and a hood, it's the perfect costume for a midnight meeting!

Adult Cinderella Costume - Deluxe $54.95 Are you waiting for your Prince Charming to come save you? Well don't wait until the stroke of midnight to make a decision for the most fabulous frock this Halloween season! Our Deluxe Adult Cinderella Costume is designed after the lovely lead of Disney's Cinderella! This has an extravagant floor-length sky blue gown, with silver-printed peplums, satin bodice, and jewel accents! This even comes with a cobalt choker and a pale blue headpiece! All you need now are a pair of glass slippers! You don't have to pray to a fairy godmother for a great costume! Purchase this Deluxe Adult Cinderella Costume today!

Cinderella Prestige Costume - Disney $74.95 Glass slippers and fairy godmothers galore! This costume has fair princess written all over it! Even the step-sisters can't keep this grand glorious look down! Our Cinderella Prestige Costume is a stunning vision of pale blue beauty! This Cinderella Prestige Costume comes with a sky blue, floor-length gown with pale blue insert and silver lace overlay! This also has white brocade peplums, white brocade cap sleeves, and silver trim all around the dress! This even comes with white elbow-length glovettes, a black ribbon choker, and a blue headpiece with silver trim!

Child Alice Costume - Girls $29.95 Through the looking glass, the Jabberwocky waits for you. If you want to explore a world of talking cards, mean queens, and crazy tea parties; put on this Girls Child Alice Costume and drink that mysterious bottle down! Our Girls Child Alice Costume comes with a pale blue satin dress, with puffed sleeves and attached white lace petticoat! This also comes with a pretty crisp white pinafore to wear on top of the dress! Pair this up with a lovely black hair ribbon and black Mary Jane shoes to really step into the whimsical character! Don't be late for your very important date! Order this costume today!

Girls Alice Costume - Classic $18.99 Through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole. Where does it stop? Only Alice knows!Pick up this Classic Girls Alice Costume for a gorgeous Alice in Wonderland look this Halloween! This dress comes in the familiar sky blue and has the Cheshire Cat emblazoned on the skirt! When you're looking for a classy outfit for your little girl, you can't go wrong with this Classic Girls Alice Costume! Team her up with the Mad Hatter and others in our Alice in Wonderland Costumes theme!

Queen of Hearts Halloween Costume $27.99 Breaking hearts and demanding executions! This Queen of Hearts Halloween Costume will have you in a sleek, sexy look that's officially licensed by Alice in Wonderland! With a red-hot dress, knee-high stockings and a mini crown hair clip, you will not be left wanting for suitors! When Alice is out and about playing nice, you're playing to win!So pick up this Queen of Hearts Halloween Costume and take a glance through the looking glass!

Family Guy Brian Costume - Mens $64.95 Classy, loyal and, well, a little pretentious and drunk, but we'll look past that! One of America's most favorite animated dogs, Brian lives for the freedom and artistry of Hemingway, but as far as living that life, he'll take what he can get in the bottom of a martini glass! Pick up this Mens Family Guy Brian Costume and team up with Stewie this Halloween!Don't delay - this Family Guy costume is sure to be a hit this Halloween! Grab the Mens Family Guy Brian Costume right away!

Glass Painted Projects $9.95 20 Great Projects to Make. Discover bright, imaginative projects from wine glasses to pictures frames. Featuring chic and stylish designs, each project is accompanied by step-by-step instructions and colorful, detail-rich photography. Projects are fun and fast to create. Perfect for all skill levels, includes projects in both glass and acetate. Author Judy Balchin includes 20 great projects in her book, including quirky fairies, funky cats, assorted Christmas baubles, glowing lamps, and sleek cocktail glasses. There are also elegant painted designs are for mobiles, cards, book covers, and panels—perfect as gifts or for home decorating. Full color photography. 48 pages.

Jesus Christ Costume - Big & Tall $44.95 He can heal the sick, make wine out of water and can feed five thousand people with twelve loaves of bred. It's pretty safe to say that when it's time to go to your party, people will be flocking to you in this Big & Tall outfit! Whether going satirical or truly wanting to show off the son of the Trinity, this Jesus Christ Costume will have you ready to go in as authentic a style as we can gather! With the robe, crown of thorns, and the perfect wig and beard set, you'll be ready to heal the sick no time! Grab the Big & Tall Jesus Christ Costume today, and group up with some of our other religiously themed costumes!

Red Angry Birds Costume $49.95 The red angry bird is the tip of the spear when it comes to the War on Swine. Without the stalwart young soldier that is the red angry bird where would we be? Without eggs, no doubt, watching those smirking, dumb pigs oinking at us behind their wooden walls and their strategically placed sheets of glass. How I the them! Well, luckily, we do not live in a birdless dystopia, we live in the real would with real costumes like the Red Angry Birds Costume. Thank the great bird’s beak!No pig shall be safe, no matter how many stone walls they put in between them and your slingshot, so long as you’re ready and waiting with the Red Angry Birds Costume. Ring in Halloween this year as the stalwart soldier and protector of all of egg-kind with the Red Angry Birds Costume.

Renaissance Princess Costume - Medieval and Renaissance Costumes $32.99 Renaissance Princess Costume includes the long wine-colored dress with puff shoulders, a princess-style bodice and gold trim, and the black and gold headpiece with a sheer veil. Dress your date up as a knight or medieval princes for a couples look right out of a fairy tale!

Womens Cocktail Waitress Costume $39.95 The 20's are roaring louder than ever with TV, movies, all of this booze, and, of course, costumes like this Women's Cocktail Waitress Costume. Cigarette girls and flappers and all of that are coming back in a big way, so don't sit by the way side and be the last person to celebrate one of the coolest decades of all time (that was wedged between two of the worst).The Women's Cocktail Waitress Costume comes with a red halter dress with a drop waist skirt, shoulder strap shot tray with an insert and shot glass. Not only can you represent one of the sexier looks of all time, but you can use your shot glass to deftly apply social lubricants to those around you. The past never looked so good.