Moulin Rouge Theme Birthday Party

2. Unique, pertinent party ideas can also be gleaned from the film/musical Moulin Rouge, from French fin-de-siecle culture (the decadent, extravagant period that marked the turn of the 20th century) and from burlesque shows.

3. Send invitations out a month in advance so everyone can make it. If the Moulin Rouge theme birthday party is for a milestone birthday (30th, 40th, 50th, etc.) send the invitations out six weeks to two months ahead if people need to travel. This will ensure no one has prior obligations and has ample time to make travel and accommodation plans.

4. For invitations, consider sending out unique vintage Parisian postcards with party information stamped onto the back with a custom rubber stamp. Postcards can be found on sites like eBay and Etsy. A postcard-sized stamp with all the party information can be purchased for $40 - $50 from a website like Rubber Stamp Champ or Rubber Stamps.

5. To up the ante, ask all party guests to arrive in their finest Moulin Rouge-ready attire. Bustiers, top hats, sequins and feathers highly encouraged.

French Fusion Menu

Starter:

Steamed Mussels in a Tomato Fennel Broth 

Side Dish:

Leeks with Dijon Vinaigrette

Entrée:

Steak au Poivre with Frites

Dessert:

Chocolate Mousse and Raspberry Crepes

Cocktail Menu

The Moulin Rouge was just the place to find a green fairy sitting on your shoulder while you watched the can-can. Though today's absinthe available in the states is not the same as the blood-boiling concoction it was in 19th century France, it still has an impressive kick.

Green Fairy cocktail via Drinks Mixer

French Kiss cocktail via Drinks Mixer

Drawing on historical inspiration from the brainstorming session (under Planning Tips), incorporate things like windmills, elephants, feathers, velvet curtains, stages and top hats into the décor. Here's how:

Large Scale Moulin Rouge Theme Party

Table Centerpieces

For large birthday parties with more than 30 guests, renting additional tables for dinner is likely necessary. Craft dramatic Moulin-Rouge inspired tablescapes by using vintage mini windmills ($9.99 from Wood Workers Woodshop), decorated elephant statues ($23 from Music City Gifts), colorful feathers and glittered top hats.

Mix up the tables by featuring varying items as the piece de resistance in the center (either a windmill, or an elephant, or stacked top hats), and accent each centerpiece with similar feathered elements to pull all the looks together. Choose deep red colored table linens for the rental tables, and make the look even more rich by using sari fabric overlays beneath each centerpiece. If budget allows, rent richly patterned, bold hued China for guests to dine off of for an intricate, decadent look and feel for the party.

Intimate (15 - 30 guest) Moulin Rouge Birthday Party

Smaller Scale Table Decor

For smaller, more intimate birthday parties, create the same effect by decorating one or two long tables that are already in your home. Place a windmill in the center, two elephants on either side (positioned halfway between the end of the table and the windmill). Fill in the spaces between the three main centerpieces with small gold vases or brightly patterned china teacups with red flowers spilling over the sides. Large, bright blooms like garden roses, anemone, spider mums and hydrangea make a big impact without costing a fortune.

If serving food buffet-style, add platters along both sides of the table so guests can fill their plates while enjoying the elaborate Moulin Rouge table decorations. For seated dinners at the table, keep floral arrangements lower than ten inches so guests can chat easily over the top of the centerpieces.