Scene setters are a wonderful way to create atmosphere at any party, and develop the theme of the party. Scene setters are available at party supply stores, in department stores, or online. Some are elaborate, and some are simple. Scene setters can be made from something as simple as a cardboard refrigerator box, and are limited only by your imagination. If you are not artistically inclined, chances are you know someone who is, and most ‘crafty’ people are more than willing to craft for those who are craft impaired.
Whether you set out to cut Styrofoam tombstones sponged with gray and black paint, reading “R.I.P” for Halloween, or pile up bales of hay, stuff old pants, shirts, or overalls with leaves, and top it with a hat to create a scarecrow, pile pumpkins high, and heap pots with fall colored mums, to create an autumn scene setter, chances are, with just a little inspiration, you can come up with the perfect way to complete the look you are after.
As with any other party detail, you must consider the theme and guests at the party. Colorful piñatas draped with chili pepper lights might be the perfect scene setter for Cinco de Mayo, but mounds of Styrofoam and trees sprayed with “snow” glitter, and cascades of twinkling, star-like lights might be the perfect scene setter for a winter wonderland party. Don’t think this has to be done at home, either. Most cities have indoor or outdoor ice-skating rinks that can be rented and decorated for winter wonderland parties, and there are many other themes and places your scene setter can make magically perfect for your party.
Many printable suggestions and patterns can be found online, and you can even take a smaller print of a character or image you want to create as a scene setter, use an overhead projector to enlarge, trace it onto paper, and use as a pattern to create the perfect backdrop for your theme party. Often, you can use what you have around the house to create scene setters. If you are having a blast from the past 50’s party, a folding room divider or a couple of pieces of thin plywood attached by hinges, can be covered with white paper, have music notes drawn on, and a black cut out image of a singer with a microphone, completed with old 45 and 35 vinyl records hot glued to the backdrop, or drawn on, can set the scene to take you back in time!
