By Gail Leino

The Bachelor party can be called a time honored tradition when a man and his friends get together to celebrate his ‘freedom’ one last time before marriage. Lots of people have a negative view of the bachelor party because it can get a bit rowdy and those at the party may engage in drinking, gambling and perhaps some adult entertainment. That doesn’t mean the bachelor party is always edgy and gets the bachelor in trouble with his future spouse.

You can throw a great bachelor party using a Mardi Gras theme, a Casino theme or the Country Western theme and opt not to have the adult entertainment just to make sure everyone stays in the good with their partner. Research your chosen party theme a little bit so you know what items you’ll need to make the party truly authentic, such as a fun parade and beads for the Mardi Gras party, different game tables and green visors for the dealers at your Casino party and good old BBQ cooking and country music at the Country Western party.

Speaking of food, you should go all out to create or get authentic foods that fit the theme of these parties too. Guests love sampling new flavors and you’ll be pleased that you took the time.

I’m in favor of creating a co-ed Bachelor/Bachelorette party so everyone can celebrate. Maybe you can still have rooms designated for each gender to go to when they want to celebrate without the guys or the gals and one joint room for dancing and eating. This way you can get a lot of dancing in at the party and still have that element of privacy.

Lastly be sure to tell your guests to come dressed appropriately for each party theme. You’d be surprised how much the costume of your guests adds to the atmosphere of the party area. Go and get planning!