Stock up on plastic or picnic tableware. This can often be picked up cheaply at the end of the summer from stores like Woolworths or supermarkets (but check that they're dishwasher safe). Although this may seem more expensive, the plates can be washed and reused, and costs are soon recouped.

Pick a neutral colour, and then use wizardry to tie it in to the theme. For Harry Potter, fill your plates with chocolate stars, a chocolate magic wand and an assortment of food mentioned in the books - such as 'Jelly Slugs' (Rowntrees' Bursting Bugs would do), a liquorice wand, marshmallows and some of Bertie Bott's every-flavoured beans (a mixture of colourful jelly beans).

Magical colours

If you're buying disposable plates, you can create a colour-coordinated theme. For Harry Potter, you have two options: the wine-red and yellow of his house colours, Gryffindor, or the standard wizarding colours of black, gold and purple.

Buy the tableware and napkins in these colours (or buy white plates - always cheaper - and just use coloured napkins). Supermarkets offer a reasonable range and are cheaper than the party catalogues. Then introduce the colour elsewhere (in the room decorations, balloons and the food) so there is a common theme.

You could also make little wizard hats as place names. Cut out circles of card and paint them in one of your themed colours. When dry, make a straight cut from the edge to the centre, then roll into a cone shape. Secure it with some tape, glue or staples then write the guest's name around the rim using a felt pen or correction-fluid pen.

Over the page: Potter decorations

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Tea at Hogwarts: Throwing a Harry Potter Party

Potter place settings

Magical colours