Australian Election Party Ideas

Watching the election results unfold with friends and neighbours can be great fun, if a little unpredictable. Unless your party is for the party faithful, a little planning could be needed to avoid it turning out like a rerun of Don's Party.

• Decorations - use a mix of party colours as decorations, part of party games or for guests to show their allegiance by providing the range of colours in cups and plates - with maybe some white ones for the non-committal.
   
• Costumes - you can add to the fun by asking guests to dress as a past or present politician, political reporter or other election personality.
   
• Television(s) - this is one of the few parties where you need at least one television on and able to be seen by the majority of the guests.
   
• Games - prepare some games to keep people talking while they wait. Suggestions below.
   
• Food - food should be simple and able to be adapt to the unfolding events. Buffets, finger food and snacks throughout the evening will work. Have some stand-by snacks in case it goes on all night.

Blue Party Supplies

• Parties Online - Sydney-based party products store in operation since 1991. They specialise in themed and coloured tableware, balloons costumes and more. See party products by colour
   
• Party Products Australia - Brisbane-based Online Party Products Superstore.
  Any size order delivered Australia-wide for Only $9.95
   
• Balloon Shop - Over 6000 balloons including latex balloons, foil balloons, balloon shapes, modelling balloons, balloon accessories, singing balloons, megaloons, bubble balloons and custom printed balloons. Delivery Australia-wide.

Political Party Costumes

Dress up for fun - it might be your favourite politicians but doesn't have to be. Use imagination and humour. Be a little cryptic. Wigs are good. Expect lots of redheads being Julia or perhaps the odd Kerry O'Brien. Some beehives for Bronwyn Bishop. Budgie smugglers and bike helmets. Don't forget props. Browse these online shops for costumes, wigs and accessories:

• Parties Online - Australian shop with Dress ups and Fancy Costumes. They sell Hats, Gloves, Glasses, Noses, Beards & Moustaches, plus a whole heap of complete Ladies' and Men's costumes.
   
• Australia's Online Party Costumes Superstore has body art supplies including face paint and body paint. 
   
• Costume Box - Thousands of Fancy Dress costumes for adults and kids for all occasions. Sydney-based online store with delivery to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Flat fee delivery within Australia. Most costumes dispatched within 24 hours. All costumes displayed are in stock.
   
• See more party costumes for children and adults.

Political Party Fun & Games

• Encourage creativity by having prizes for best costume, best male, best female.
   
• There are 150 electorates. Have a balloon of each party colour for each electorate and as each result is announced, pop the losing balloons.
   
• Who said that? Match famous quotes and phrases to the politician.
   
• Cool Things is all about the latest cool gadgets and gizmos. Check out their Office & Backyard Warfare for battle games to lighten the mood and keep things impersonal.