How to Host a Surreal Soirée: A Dreamlike Party Guide
I love this new trend of the ‘ Surreal Soiree’, it appeals to my arty nature, and is really quite sophisticated, so what is a Surreal Soiree –
A Surreal Soirée is an immersive, whimsical event inspired by surrealism, where reality bends and the unexpected becomes the norm. Think melting clocks, floating objects, mismatched aesthetics, and dreamlike experiences that transport your guests into another dimension.
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1. Setting a Surreal, dreamlike scene
It is quite important to set the scene and transform your space into a surreal wonderland! However this isn’t as hard as it sounds, here are my tips to get you started.
Distorted & Oversized Objects
It would be great if you could have some oversized and distorted objects around the room, like giant clocks, elongated furniture, or warped mirrors. Of course you could go for cardboard or pictures of these too.
This ‘Melting clock’ I found on Amazon would be perfect.
Unexpected Combinations
An upside down room would be great! Although most of us might find it hard to stick the dining room table on the ceiling!
You could hang you ‘normal’ pictures upside down, and objects such as this 3D Vortex Carpet.
Surrealist Art
This is the easiest to source, there is so much surreal art out there. Think Dali-esque prints and surreal landscapes.
I found this set of 100 Surreal Prints, a digital download, at Etsy.
Fog effect and lighting
Using soft lighting, fairy lights and pretend candles, and perhaps a smoke / fog machine, you can create an eerie dreamlike effect.
I found this fog machine at Amazon.
2. Enchanting Dress Code: A Touch of the Absurd
I love dressing up for a party, but dressing up for a surreal party takes it to a new level, there is so much fun to be had! Here are some of my suggestions.
Avant-garde fashion
Mismatched patterns, exaggerated silhouettes, or Victorian-inspired attire.
Etsy had some good Advant Garde type items to add to your outfit.
I really liked this dress, it is so stylish.
Masks and Face paint
This can make you look really surreal. Use masks or facepaint to give yourself a weird look. For example you could have ‘floating eyes’ or draw on some cosmic designs.
I like this face paint I found on Amazon, it can be seen in the dark.
Unexpected Accessories
See if you can find some weird accessories, or make some additions to your normal ones! Things like teacup shoes, hats with doors in them, wearing accessiories wrong, like a watch on your ankle.
3. Food and Drink: Bizarre & Beautiful Eats
For the foodies and experimentalists you can go wild here. I suggest watching some Heston Blumenthal shows to give you inspiration.
Color changing cocktails
I had to include this book, it has alsorts of recipes that would fit the occassion, including color changing cocktails.
Food coloring
Food colouring really is your friend here! I made some fresh sandwiches look mouldy with bits of green and blue food colouring – Yum – Probably not a great idea to copy!
This food coloring selection from Amazon is great.
Hyper Real illusion cakes
How good are you at baking? It might be fun to try making one of these, this ‘Cake or Fake?’ recipe book say – Make Your Own Hyper-Real Illusion Cakes Step by Step with The Bake King.
4. Otherworldly Entertainment
Magicians & Illusioinists
You could hire a local magician for your party. Or perhaps you have an aspiring magician friend who can amaze your guests with their sleight of hand tricks.
You could DIY magic tricks with this ‘Dad’s magic set’ – it would be good for the party too.
Unusual Music & Soundscapes
Make your own ‘surreal’ music by slowing down normal music, especially classical music, that creates a great ambience. Reverse a few, you never know you may find some hidden lyrics when you play them backwards!
Ebay has lots of Surreal type music CD’s. take a look.
5. Dreamlike Activities & Games
Fortune telling
You could make your predictions have an unexpected twist and make no logical sense – that is surreal fortune telling!
Here are some Surreal Predictions that you can download and print out from me for free. These should give you inspiration. Or you could cut them ou and put them in homemade fortune cookies.
Surrealist Art Corner
You could have an area with a blank canvas and some art pens, the guest could each contribute to create an abstract painting.
Here’s a large blank canvas available from Amazon.
6. Invitations and setting the scene
Surreal invitations
You set the scene with your invitations. You could send wax sealed letters with riddles and clues. Or send a small box with an object such as a tiny key or feather, then follow that a few days letter with the invitation!
Looking around there are ready made invites, like this Alice in Wonderland one from Etsy – it is aimed at children, but it is just perfect for this occassion too.