Food: The massive amounts of nonperishables we saved in the basement in case the world came to an end.
Drinks: The 18 water jugs that were apparently going to be your family’s H2O source for life.
Bring: Enough flashlights, candles and batteries to put the sun to shame.
Music: Techno beats.
2001: Moulin Rouge
Dress: Burlesque apparel, fishnets, costume jewelry, top hats and tuxedos.
Food: Fabulous French treats and plenty of vino.
Activities: Put on a burlesque show or have a cancan competition.
Music: Hire a sitar player, or play the “Moulin Rouge” soundtrack.
2002: Winter Olympics
Dress: Come in your winter gear, duh.
Décor: Deck out the room in fake snow. Be sure to crank up the AC, as winter wear could cause your guests to melt.
Activities: Get ready to conquer the ice luge. This party is all about competition; beer pong and flip cup champions will be named.
2003: Arnold Schwarzenegger/The Governator
Dress: Ask guests to impersonate their favorite Arnold character, whether it’s from his bodybuilding days, “The Terminator” or as the governor of California.
Décor: Get out your Austrian flag and podium. Have the “Terminator” movies playing throughout the party.
Activities: Speak in an Austrian accent all evening, especially during a riotous game of paintball.
2004: The 2004 Super Bowl
Dress: It’s time to bring sexy back. Men, sport those butt pads and ladies, done those shiny pleather miniskirts with crop-top jerseys. Be creative with your own “wardrobe malfunction.”
Food: Set up a spread like you would at any Super Bowl viewing--chips, dip, beer, pigs in a blanket, anything with tons of cholesterol.
2005: Harajuku Nation
Dress: Sport only Hello Kitty, and let ’em know that you “ain’t no hollaback girl.” Pinks, neons and knee-highs are a plus -- props if you can find a straight-haired wig.
Food: Get ready to satisfy that sweet tooth. Have a candy/ice cream buffet with lollipops strewn everywhere.
Music: Blast Gwen Stefani all night long because it’s time for some “Love, Angel, Music, Baby.”
2006: A Thunda Down Unda
Food: In memory of a beloved Australian, Steve Irwin, throw the shrimp on the barbie, order some Vegemite and get Outback Steakhouse to cater.
Dress: Find your nearest frat house, and go hunting for some khaki shorts. Don’t forget your bandana and crocidile-hunting gear.
What to Bring: Your favorite friends, pets and wildlife to honor the animal-crazy man himself.
Rules: No sting rays allowed!
2007: R.I.P., Sopranos
Food: Say goodbye once more to everyone’s favorite mafia family with plenty of pasta and meatballs. Drinks will be served “straight up.”
Dress: Guests must adorn their favorite pin-striped suits and mafiosa hats. Hand guns are optional.
Activities: Tonight is all about respect...and poker.
2008: Elephants vs. Jackasses
Food: Freedom fries, hot dogs and hamburgers.
Decor: The theme is politics, so let’s get red, white and blue! Stars and stripes should explode all over your walls.
Music: The national anthem, “America the Beautiful” and “Proud to be an American,” or Estelle’s “American Boy”.
Activities: Pin the Tail on the Donkey.
Rules: Politics will not be discussed, and the elephants and jackasses will be forced to get along.
2009: Jersey Shore - GTL, Baby
Dress: Calling all guidos and guidettes! Don’t forget your favorite Ed Hardy T-shirt and hair gel/Bump-its.
Music: Strictly techno and house.
Food: Fully stocked bar and pickles.
Rules: Only fist-pumping dance moves allowed.
2010: Monogamy Bites
Dress: Tiger Woods took “pros and hos” quite literally this year. Be sure to bring those balls and clubs.
Décor: Adorn the room with mini-putt Astroturf.
Activities: This party will be anything but sub “par.” Play a game of golf that doesn’t involve clubs -- just drinks, if you know what we mean.
Drinks: Sip on some “country club coolers” and spritzers.
Rules: Ladies, if he’s married, tonight a ring don’t mean a thing.
