How to Throw an Oktoberfest Party

How to Throw an Oktoberfest Party

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Posted 2010-10-24 by Saraya Musovicfollow

So you missed out on the Bavarian festivities in Munich this year or maybe you have always wanted to go but understandably the immense costs in flights, accommodation and litres and litres of wholesome Bavarian beer make it all too difficult. Too expensive- I hear you say- darn right it is, but you needn't miss out on such a wonderful tradition, you can bring Oktoberfest celebrations right into the comfort of your own home. Just follow these helpful ideas and you'll be merrily celebrating in true Bavarian style.

The first most important element of your party is the invitations. This is important because you can inform your guests on the length (in this case from 11am till 10pm), the theme of the party and if they are required to participate in anyway for example if you are wanting to do it on the cheap, asking guests to bring a plate of German food, BYO alcohol etc.

Giving your guests a dress code can add an element of fun to the party, especially if you are carrying the theme throughout the entire day. Traditionally in Bavaria women wear dirndls (a tight bodice, blouse, full skirt and apron) and men wear lederhosen (shorts with a drop front flap and suspenders which are made from leather). Of course the company doesn't have to fork out exorbitant amounts of money on a traditional costume, cost effective ways of achieving the desired effect could be hiring it from a Costume Store or even cheaper, get creative and make one for yourself on. Spotlight has some cheap fabrics and party material for a costume and for the ladies throw your hair in two pigtails or plaits and VOILA you're ready for Oktoberfest. The main thing to remember is that the guests are getting in the sprit of things by simulating the real feel of the Beer halls in Munich.

Beer- well this is a critical element to the success of your Oktoberfest. If you're not doing it on the cheap the tents and beer sponsors of the fest are Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. If you can get your hands on these beers then you'll be ultra traditional. If providing beer is too costly then asking guests to BYO is always an option. You could have some German beers for people to try or set up a bar for people to purchase them throughout the day, these are all great ideas. In Munich party-goers drink from Steins which are basically giant glass mugs which hold a litre of beer. Having a glass with a handle will do as long as it allows guests to toast, sing and sway as the day progresses.

Another integral part of throwing a successful party is food. There is nothing worse than rocking up to a party when the invite has said that there would be plenty of food and you've starved yourself in anticipation only to find some stale crackers and 'no name' party lollies. Food is a major draw card and let's face it, it's a lot easier to ask the party to BYO beer and alcohol. But of course if you are short on money you can always ask that they can bring a plate, getting together is after all the most important part of the fest. In keeping with the Bavarian theme, you should attempt to create some of the Oktoberfest classics, which can be really fun for you in the process. German sausages a.k.a bratwurst with onion, cheese and mustard on long white crusty rolls make for the perfect Bavarian party meal. Potato salad, pork knuckles and gigantic bread pretzels are all good German party ideas. Sweets could include gingerbread men or love hearts called Lebkuchenherzen which are seen everywhere around the German fest. They display cute little messages for your sweetheart such as "I love you" (Ich liebe Dich), and "You're my sweetheart" (Du bist mein sußes Herzchen) which you can wear around your neck. The trusty Women's Weekly has tones of German recipes ideas which you can easily create for your German fiesta.

To emulate the beer halls of Munich you'll need a long trestle table with enough chairs to seat your party. This positioning allows for everyone to chat, sing and cheer all day. You can add streamers to decorate the area whether it be outdoors or indoors but that is entirely up to you.

Okay so we have the costumes, the food and the alcohol down now all we need is the music and you're almost ready to party. Typically German folk 'Oompah pah' music is played by big brass bands in all the tents and technically after four or five steins of beer guests should be loose enough to be linking arms, chinking glasses and dancing on table tops. An absolute must have tune is the Bavarian toast song which is played quite frequently throughout Oktoberfest called "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit" which is a toast to contentment, congeniality and relaxation. You can find loads of Oktoberfest albums on itunes but you must make sure it has this liberating number, hand out the lyrics and you're ready to party.

"Ein Prosit "
(With Beer stein or glass in hand)

A Salute to Your Health or Well-being!
Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit
(Cheer!) Eins, zwei, drei g'suffa!

Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi,
Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi,
Prosit!

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151983 - 2023-06-14 06:06:33

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