We’ve all been to bad parties. You know the type, either not enough people have shown up so it ends up being a handful of people hanging about, talking to the one or two friends they know at the party, or the huge raging party where nobody knows anybody else and you feel like you’re lost in the crowd.

Usually a party is lame because people aren’t interacting. Getting people to interact isn’t as easy as it sounds, just take a look at a bus stop or subway station to get an idea of how much people spend time around each other without saying a word or even making eye contact. When we’re surrounded by new people everyday we learn to tune them out and ignore them, but then we want them to do exactly the opposite when we host a party. Without an easy way to break the ice most people won’t take the initiative to strike up a conversation.

That’s where the theme party comes in. Theme party ideas run the gamut from the mundane to the extreme, but most party ideas are based around giving all of the party guests a common idea or mindset, which then serves as a handy way to strike up a conversation and break the ice. Take the standard Halloween costume party idea, where everyone is encouraged to dress up as whoever they want. Conversations come easily as people ask each other who they’re dressed up as and why they chose their particular costumes.

Ice breakers don’t have to involve costumes or pin the tail on the donkey; what you decide on will depend on your particular party idea. Some popular party ideas include speakeasy themes where guests arrive in pinstripe suits and flapper outfits. Don’t feel that you have to stop at how people are dressed either; if you’re setting up a speakeasy party be sure to serve moonshine and near-beer and ask for a password at the door. Other party ideas include vampire nights, board game night, or a rave. Have a sleepover party with jello shots and a big game of twister. Hold a murder mystery party and assign guests characters from the board game Clue.

Whatever you choose, using party ideas can make your party a lot more interesting then setting out a cooler full of beer and turning on the stereo. Once you get people interacting you can decide to keep going with the idea, like the Clue game, or forgo it altogether; don’t feel married to your party idea if your guests are already having a good time.