A henna party is a festive event that is traditionally hosted by Indian, Middle Eastern, and African brides before their weddings. It is a two-thousand-year-old tradition that is filled with music, food, dance, games, and traditional temporary henna tattoos. Today, everyone can host their own henna party for fun. You can invite your family and friends over to try getting henna tattoos.
Henna tattoos are made using henna leaves, which are turned into the henna dye. The leaves come from henna trees, which grow throughout Asia and Africa. Henna paste can be used to color the skin, hair, and nails. Henna tattoos are reddish-brown tattoos that fade in two weeks. They are applied by henna artists during important ceremonial events like weddings and religious ceremonies. But there are times when they are just for fun.
If you want to experience a henna party, why not throw one yourself? Having henna at your party is one of the things that will make it memorable. Your guests will surely appreciate the beautiful custom-created artworks for a long time, even after your party has ended. So, if you’re looking into throwing a henna party, we’re here to help. We are giving you tips and things to consider to make your party fun and unforgettable.
1. Set a Theme
When throwing a henna party, picking a good theme will make it a more magnificent event. If you want to give your party some flair, you can go for a Morocco or Bollywood theme. You can get creative by decorating your place with fairy lights, flower garlands, candles, lanterns, and lots of cushions where your guests can sit comfortably. You can also set a color for your party to make it look more beautiful and inviting. Be sure to check out this List of unique arabic mehndi design for options.
2. Prepare Foods According to the Party’s Theme
After deciding on the theme of your henna party, the next thing you need to prepare is food. It would be great if the foods you are serving will follow the theme of your party. For example, you can consider some Indian or Middle Eastern-themed meals and snacks to serve at your party to give your guests a more authentic feel. You can also serve desserts such as cakes, cupcakes, and cookies with ice henna designs.
If you are going to serve Indian dishes for your party, two of the most popular and successful dishes are chicken tikka masala and chana masala. You can also serve teas like chai. Or if you’re going for a Moroccan party, you can serve some Moroccan mint tea. Every culture has its own favorite and popular foods and drinks. You just need a bit of research and creativity.
3. Don’t Forget the Music
Music is one of the things that will make your party come to life. Make sure to select the best music and songs that will match the theme of your henna party. You can also include some dance music to get your guests on their feet and have a good time.
4. Prepare Some Fun Games
Any party wouldn’t be complete without games. It is something that will make your party more enjoyable for everyone. Since you are throwing a henna party, your games should also be in line with the theme. You can try playing the pillow-passing or gift passing game. Make your guests sit in a circle and pass around a parcel with a gift inside. Play some music while passing the gift around. Once the music stops, the person with the gift will unwrap it. Aside from that, you can also play musical chairs, truth-or-dare, or maybe a sweets-eating contest. These games will surely fill your party with smiles and laughter.
5. Send Out Invitations
To let your friends and family know about the theme of the party you are throwing, you can send them either printed or digital invites that include an image. This will help them know the feel of the party and become more excited about it. The design of your invitation should also follow the theme and color of your henna party.
6. The Henna Tattoo
Henna tattoo will be the main event of your party. You can either hire a professional henna artist, or you can challenge your guests to apply henna themselves. If you choose the latter, you can simply purchase some henna kits at local stores and even online. For patterns, you can also get a henna book that contains simple designs.
It’s also great if you can have a professional henna artist at your party because she can share with you and your guests some stories about the henna tattoo and the designs. Your guests will also be given a chance to discuss their design preferences with the henna artists and come up with stunning and unique tattoo designs.
7. Take Photos
Once everyone at your party has had their henna tattoos applied, you can take a group photo. It is an excellent memento that will surely last longer than your henna tattoos. Aside from group photos, you can also have your guests’ individual photos takes as their remembrance. It can be photos of just the design, or it can be photos of your guests showing off their henna tattoos.
8. Give Out Farewell Goodie Bags
Before your guests go home after your henna party, you can give out some farewell goodie bags to them to give thanks for the time they spent at your party. You can prepare cupcakes, cookies, and as well as henna designed candles for them. These will also add glam to your party.
Things to Consider
If you’ve decided to throw a henna party and hire a henna artist, here are some of the things you need to consider.
- Henna patterns are not permanent.
Keep in mind that henna is not a real tattoo and henna artists do not work with needles. The patterns will only last on your skin for 1 to 5 weeks. When you get a henna tattoo on your palms and soles, they can last longer compared on faces, upper arms, and backs.
- Henna does not have any specific religious significance.
Henna is not forbidden to any religion. It is also not prohibited to men, but it is primarily a women’s art. Hindus, Jews, Christians, Muslims, and many other groups of people have used henna in social celebrations.
- The standard color of henna is dark brown or red.
Remember that henna should be dark brown or red, and it should not be black. Do not hire a tattoo artist that uses black henna because that can cause severe allergic reactions, blistering, and scarring due to the PPD content.
- Henna is not for children under the age of 6.
Children under the age of 6 are not recommended to have henna because it might be difficult for them to keep it in place, undisturbed.
A henna party is indeed a unique party you can throw just for fun. For your convenience, consider hiring an expert party organizer instead. You can also include henna in different celebrations such as birthday parties, family reunions, weddings, and more. It is a lovely idea, especially for those who love anything that involves art.