Organize A Perfect Watch Party
As the Paralympics 2024 is happening in full swing, what is better than organizing a watch party to enjoy every moment of it?
To create a memorable watch party space you need to take care of a lot of things but don’t worry we have got your back.
Keep reading this guide to learn how to create the coolest watch party space in town.
Comfortable Seating
The first thing you need to take care of is to make sure that people can relax and sit comfortably while watching the game.
For this, add a variety of seating options like sofas, bean bags, recliners, and stools so everyone can decide what works for them.
To promote inclusivity, leave enough space for easy movement of wheelchairs.
Large TV
To enjoy the game to the fullest, arrange a large TV or projector.
Large screens allow you to see the details of the game clearly and ensure that you don’t miss any crucial moments.
They also usually have advanced display technologies so the image will be sharper.
Lastly, with big screens, you can accommodate a large number of people in your watch space.
High-Quality Sound System
Another crucial thing that can make or break the watch party is the sound system.
A good sound system will give you the feel of the game and make the gathering more fun and energetic. It will also allow you to hear the commentary clearly.
To accommodate guests with hearing aids, arrange loop systems or other assistive listening devices.
Paralympic Colors and Flags
Decorate the space with Paralympic colors and flags to create a festive environment.
The Paralympic symbol consists of three agitos, colored red, blue, and green. You can incorporate these colors into the setup by adding throw pillows, rugs, and curtains in these colors.
You can also decorate the area with flags and paste customized decorations with inspiring quotes from Paralympic athletes.
Use Braille Signs
To promote inclusivity and maintain the spirit of Paralympic sports use braille labels on the room door and food menus.
You can also incorporate braille on other things like wall murals, furniture, and event schedules.
By doing this small yet powerful act, we make the blind community feel like they are not alone and it helps them enjoy the game better.
Sports Equipment Display
Designate a corner of the room to display sports equipment like wheelchairs, prosthetics, and handcycles.
To make the area more dynamic, place small items like gloves, sippers, or swimming gear on a rotary display stand.
You can also make this area informative by adding text in the background where you tell the evolution of adaptive sports equipment or provide information on how they work or are made.
Add Good Lighting
An underrated point that people often overlook is good lighting.
Lighting has the power to enhance the visuals and breathe life into what you are watching.
Use adjustable light options to accommodate everyone. In my opinion, keeping the lighting soft and warm creates a cozy ambiance and helps build suspense. This makes the game more fun to watch.
Create A Photo Booth
To make the night memorable design a photo booth.
Create a photo booth area with Paralympic-themed props and backdrops. You can DIY and make it at a reasonable price by using basic stationery like glue, colored papers, markers, and thermopore.
Ask your friends and family to help you make it so that it is quicker and more enjoyable to make.
Do Trivias and Challenges
To engage your guests in free time, arrange Paralympic-themed quizzes or challenges.
You can host a quiz round in which you ask questions about the history, rules, and crucial moments of this sport.
Make the trivia more interactive by doing it on digital platforms like Quizizz. Participants can use their smartphones or tablets to answer questions, and a leaderboard can be displayed in real time to increase competition.
Offer Paralympic Merchandise
Offer Paralympic-themed merchandise like t-shirts, hats, or pins for guests to wear and show their support.
Ask the participants about their size and who they support so you can get the merchandise made beforehand.
You can create a fun competitive environment by making supporters of the opposite teams wear their team t-shirts. To personalize the T-shirt and make it memorable write their name on the back.
Offer Variety of Food
A watch party is incomplete without good food therefore, offer your guests delicious snacks to munch on.
Keep a wide variety of food like vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free to cater to everyone.
Lastly, arrange the food at an accessible height (around 30 to 34 inches) so that individuals with mobility impairments can easily reach all items.
Invite Paralympic Athletes
To make your watch party one that will be remembered forever, invite a Paralympic athlete.
This will be a great opportunity for a meet-and-greet and guest can take pictures and get autographs from their role model.
You can request the athlete to deliver a small speech or host a Q&A session so everyone gets a chance to interact with the star and get inspired.
Set Up A Quiet Room
All the fun and cheering can be too much to handle for people with special needs.
Set up a designated quiet room so that these people can take a break and not get overwhelmed. Ensure that the room has a cozy bed and keep some snacks on the bedside so that people can close their eyes and relax.
Ensure that the walls are noise-proof or if that is impossible offer them some noise-canceling headphones.
Set Up A Kids Room
Worried that some of your guests won’t be able to make it to the watch party because they have kids to look after? Well don’t worry, ask them to bring the kids along.
Arrange a room so that the kids can get occupied and don’t disturb anyone during the game. Offer them board games like Monopoly or chess or set up arts and crafts stations where they can paint or do origami.
Set Up A Memorable Soft Board
To make the memories last a lifetime decorate a soft board at the end of the watch party.
Ask everyone to write a small note about their experience and take Polaroid pictures. Pin all of it on the soft board and decorate it.
You can hang this board in your house and reminisce about the beautiful moments that all of you enjoyed together.
This idea is perfect to make your house look trendy. To know more about trends check out TikTok’s Home Decor Trends You Need to Know.
Offer Cheering Kits
Make your guests feel like they are watching the game live by offering them cheering kits.
Things like tactile foam fingers, noise-making shakers, bells, and clappers will add a lot of zest and spirit to your watch party.
If any of your guests are deaf, offer them vibration-inducing sound devices to make them feel included.
When inviting so many people it is also important that you maintain a good impression of your house. Check out What Guests Notice When They Enter Your Home to know more about this.