enlarge The Associated Press

The president-elect’s love of basketball is well-documented, so a hoops-themed gathering might be just the ticket.

With so many unique aspects to President-elect Barack Obama, there is plenty of fun fodder for a do-it-yourself Inauguration Day party.

But what theme might it take?

Consider the different cultures that have colored Obama's past: His father was from Kenya, his mother from Kansas, his stepfather from Indonesia, and the grandparents who helped raise him embraced Hawaii as home.

(In fact, dig around on the Internet and you'll find that the Irish claim the next president, Mr. O'Bama as it were.)

And, consider how he ran his successful campaign: He utilized Facebook to rally young voters, texted them by phone to keep them hopeful, and used the work of San Francisco guerrilla artist Shepard Fairey for his signature sign promising HOPE.

Over the past year, Obama has shown us he is more than a politician. He is an active dad, a best-selling author, a decent basketball player and a devoted White Sox fan.

Point being, Obama's background is diverse, like that of the country he will lead. Which kind of blows it wide open for a presidential party.

A luau would work. So, too, would a shindig with African music, or a festive celebration with Indonesian music.

Heck, you could hold a pickup game of hoops or spend the evening on Facebook with your friends to celebrate Inauguration Day. And if it's party favors you want, you'll find plenty of 'em just by searching for "Obama party" at amazon.com, from T-shirts and stickers to drinking glasses and life-sized cardboard figures.

In fact, Obama's past culls from so many communities, cultures and circles, there hardly needs to be a theme in holding a party for his inauguration.

Maybe just hoist the American flag.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com