If you're planning a celebration for a special occasion, you want to do everything to make it an outstanding event. One foolproof way to guarantee that happens is to make it a theme party. Here are the top seven reasons.

1. Your guests are hooked before they even get to the celebration. An invitation to a theme party will create interest and anticipation. They'll be intrigued and know they can't miss this event.

2. It's easier to plan than a traditional party. If you decide to base your celebration around a theme, everything naturally falls into place. You build your menu, decorations, activities and music around a central idea. For example, if you've decided to make your special occasion into a Hawaiian luau, you'll automatically know where to start. You'll choose Polynesian style food, tropical decorations, island music and perhaps include a limbo contest.

3. It encourages creativity. Yes, it easy to figure out what guidelines to follow. But it also give you a chance to tap into your creative side. You can have fun deciding what elements to combine to transform your event into a beach, sports, outer space, winter wonderland, theatrical, or disco surroundings. You can cut corners to save money or go over the top and splurge. You can make your own decorations or buy them. The only limit is your imagination.

4. It breaks the ice. When guests arrive at a theme party, they'll be ushered into a new atmosphere. Whether you create a fiesta, Mardi Gras, luau, jungle, Las Vegas, country-western or carnival mood, it's like a mini vacation from the ordinary. Watch your friends walk down the red carpet in a Hollywood style celebration and you'll see them relax into a different role. Mingling becomes natural and easy.

5. It gives grown ups permission to be silly. See what happens to that respectable group of adults when you provide hula lessons at your luau. Let the crowd loose on a pinata at a fiesta. Give out comical awards at a Hollywood theme party and ask the recipients to give acceptance speeches. Invite people to come dressed up as hippies for a retro 60's bash. Everyone will feel like a kid again.

6. It's built in entertainment. Of course, you can always include extra games at this celebration, but it's not necessary. The theme itself is the fun of the party. Invite people to come in costumes for a masquerade. You don't have to add any other activities for that party to be a success. You can leave off the hula lessons at your luau and your guests will still have a good time. It's the force of the theme that keeps the party going.

7. It's unforgettable. If you want to throw a party that has people talking for ages to come, then this idea is for you. Adding a theme transforms your celebration from an ordinary to a memorable event.

Theme parties are fun. They're easy to plan. Your guests will want to attend. They'll mingle because it's a great ice breaker. They'll enjoy being silly and be thoroughly entertained. But the best part is that your party will linger in their memories for a long time after it's over.