By Goldie Chadowitz, London Business Lead.
When you plan events for a living, people assume your private parties at home must look like full-scale productions, with emerald carpets rolled down the hallway, smoke machines in the kitchen, Elphaba herself descending from the landing. But as a mum to an eight-year-old boy and an eleven-and-a-half-year-old girl, I can tell you the truth: magic doesn’t come from spectacle. It comes from imagination, the right details, and creating moments that feel personal for the children you’re celebrating.
This winter, I’ve found myself completely obsessed with creating the perfect movie-inspired, ‘Wicked-for-Good’ theme. What I’ve created here is a playful blend of Emerald City sparkle and that little bit of theatrical enchantment children adore. It works beautifully for birthdays, festive gatherings or New Year’s Eve private parties, and best of all, you can create the entire experience at home without huge budgets.
Set the Mood: Emerald City at Home
One thing I always remind clients, and friends, is that atmosphere matters far more than scale. Even the simplest private parties can feel utterly transformative with a few considered touches…
Here are a few easy ways to get there:
-
Flickering LED candles for that moody, magical glow
-
A pink tinsel garland or green metallic hanging star decorations add that Instagram-worthy pizzazz at the moment (I love both of these from Rockett St George)
-
Seasonal foliage is a great way to add some tasteful decor. Place tall branches in oversized pink vases, or spray twisted branches in emerald green with gold leaf tips. Position these in the hallway or dining table for instant dramatic impact.
- Consider swapping your usual red, green, gold front door wreath for something a bit more magical, with star lights, or create one with the children that is half pink baubles and half green. This one on Etsy is a perfect example.
-
A giant green mirrorball – placed in a corner to gently bounce light around the room
- For the adults, consider serving gin or champagne cocktails in these gorgeous glasses, or for the girls, these pink paper cups and green for the boys.
You don’t need a full production. Just the right touches in the right places.
Spell Books and Treasure Hunts
Children love a magical treasure hunt or scavenger quest. Simply hide little items, such as chocolate stars or mini gems, around the party space and give children a small checklist or map to guide them. It keeps them moving, engaged, and fully immersed in the Wicked theme, all without creating any extra mess for parents to tidy up afterwards.
Private parties often need a quieter corner, something to settle children after the excitement. A spell-book station works beautifully.
All you need are:
-
Small black notebooks
-
Gold and silver pens
-
Star stickers
-
A few simple “spell pages” they can glue in
Ask them to create their own charms — a Courage Spell, a Friendship Charm, a Wish for Good. These become the party favour, and I promise they feel far more meaningful than plastic bags filled with trinkets.
The Emerald Cocktail Bar: For Both Children & Adults
Children love being part of the “grown-up” side of private parties, and a themed cocktail/mocktail bar gives them that moment.
Here are the three drinks that always work:
-
The Glinda Glow: pink lemonade with a glittered marshmallow
-
Elphaba Fizz: lemonade + green syrup + popping candy
-
Emerald Whisper: a signature cocktail for the adults, with 50ml vodka and 20ml Midori.
Add star-shaped ice cubes and striped straws, and suddenly the kitchen becomes the Emerald City bar.
Food: Keep It Simple, Make It Beautiful
You don’t need to cook three courses for at-home private parties. Children and adults gravitate towards grazing boards, especially when they’re styled with height and colour.
Some easy additions:
-
Mini brioche buns
-
Pesto pasta cups
-
Salmon blinis
-
Crudités in green and gold tones
-
Pink/pistachio macarons
-
Green velvet cupcakes
Sparkles Without the Confetti (Parents Will Thank You)
Confetti looks magical in photos but terrible on carpets. I always suggest:
-
Glow sticks
-
LED wands
-
Bubbles
-
Light-up stars
-
A tinsel backdrop
You get the excitement without the headache of vacuuming on New Year’s Day.
The 9pm Countdown: A Hack Every Parent Needs
If your private party is for New Year’s Eve and includes younger children, an early countdown is the most brilliant invention ever.
At 9pm, play a Wicked instrumental, hand out glow wands, do a short countdown, and let the children celebrate their own “midnight.” They feel grown-up. You get your evening back. Everybody wins.
Why This Theme Works So Well for Private Parties
What I love most about a Wicked-for-Good celebration is how adaptable it is. It doesn’t demand elaborate sets or endless prep. It’s simply a way of bringing imagination to life through colour, light and thoughtful styling.
Whether you’re hosting ten children or a handful of close friends, these little touches make private parties feel special, not because they’re extravagant, but because they’re considered, creative and filled with personality.
I’d also love to point you towards an incredible larger-scale Wicked‑inspired party that TLC designed, which serves as both inspiration and proof of how powerful this theme can feel – especially when elevated by expert production. You can explore our full behind-the-scenes gallery in this post: How to Plan a Wicked-Themed Party.
At that event, TLC took the theme to another level, creating a theatrical entrance with a winding yellow brick road, life-sized characters, and dramatic moments that felt straight out of Oz. The décor was a masterclass in contrast: deep emerald tones paired with black and punctuated with ruby sparkle. Think flying witch hats, miniature wands, and even branches sprayed in green and silver for a truly mystical, theatrical underworld.
Catering was equally imaginative, with dual “tasting tables” inspired by Glinda and Elphaba. One featured shimmering pink desserts and floral details; the other, dark green sweets, glittering “Witch’s Brew” and elixir-style mocktails.
To complete the guest experience, TLC offered magical favours: spell books, emerald-green candles, and potion-themed bottles made every moment feel equally personal and unforgettable.
Plan Your Own Magical Private Party
Whether you’re imagining a Wicked-inspired children’s birthday, a festive New Year’s gathering, or an intimate mid-budget celebration at home, TLC can help bring your vision to life. From creative styling to thoughtful, mess-free activities, Goldie and the team specialise in private parties that feel personal, magical, and unforgettable.
📩 Contact Goldie: goldie@tlc-ltd.co.uk to start planning your celebration today.