Do you think you've done every party theme there is? Here's a great idea for a party that will capture the imaginations of your guests and have them talking about it for months later. That would be the Medieval costume party. This one is a lot of fun for you to plan, as well as for your guests to enjoy.

Medieval times were, in a sense, a romantic period in history, though not always peaceful. There was a certain gracefulness to life, where the lady of the house always had a medicinal herb garden to care for her family in illness and season foods in artful ways. Medieval dress varied with your station in life, from simple garments to elaborate visions of finery for the wealthy. When we think of medieval costume, we generally think of the finer end of the spectrum.

In Medieval times, people were much closer to the earth and their relationship to nature than we are today. In Medieval Europe, more than 90% of the people farmed the land. The humblest peasant in the village had his small piece of land to work. Village peasants had, of necessity, a community spirit and would help one another with larger tasks such as plowing. The wealthy landowners would provide the village as well as their own family with medicinal herbs the lady of the house grew and maintained.

The Medieval costume party can be played to the hilt, with each guest bringing their own costume, and you providing the Medieval setting, with table decorations, goblets and trenchers (plates) and, yes, even Medieval dishes.

The Medieval costume is not such a problem as you might think. Your guests can choose whatever style of Medieval dress they wish. Women may enjoy making such a costume, as a Medieval costume is unique in many ways to your usual fashions. You can rent a Medieval costume and jewelry from a costume rental shop.

When planning your party, locate a couple of costume shops to give your guests a starting point. Go to the library and check out a book describing table settings to help you create your party setting. Try to approximate the tone of what your book describes. There are some excellent picture books available which focus on details of Medieval costumes and table settings, kitchen tools, wall decorations and such, which should help you recreate an authentic Medieval feeling.

Your library should also have Medieval cookbooks, with original recipes modified for availability of modern equivalent ingredients. For example, galangal, used frequently in Medieval recipes isn't easily available, but ginger may be substituted for a close match. Medieval sauces were, of necessity, highly seasoned and generally delicious. Where else would you be a served a roast beef with a cinnamon seasoned gravy? Incidentally, this unusual combination is spectacular.

With your décor and menu set, time for your invitations. A calligraphy pen and some parchment paper sets the tone for your Medieval costume party, sure to be a success.