Have A Caribbean Party!

A Caribbean Party!

Ahhh, the Caribbean. Creating Caribbean party themes is a
pleasure. Anyone who has ever been to any of the Islands
knows what I mean. Turquoise blue water, white beaches, rum
drinks, and the Island beat give this theme all the ideas
needed to create an awesome party.

Where

As with most theme parties, you'll need a decent-sized room
or backyard, or you can rent a party room. The Caribbean
party themes, weather permitting, definitely would be great
in an outdoor setting (especially if you have a pool). Or,
in the winter, Caribbean party themes are just what is
needed for an escape from the cold weather.

Invitations

One creative idea for Caribbean party themes is to make fake
flight tickets, arrival destination at one of the the
Islands on the date and time of the party. Another idea is
to create a flyer for a "Caribbean Festival" (or Jamacian
Reggae Jam, San Juan Latin Dance Contest, Bermuda Triangle
Party, etc.). Other options are to get tropical looking
blank invitations or paper and print them on your computer,
or to buy fill-in-the-blank invitations.

Costumes

Caribbean party themes call for grass skirts, beach hats,
rasta wigs, reggae hats, dreadlock wigs, coconut bikini
tops, bright prints, etc. Be sure to note on the invitation
if you expect your guests to dress up for Caribbean party
themes.

Favors

Caribbean party themes favors (or game/door prizes) for your
guests can include palm tree shaped votive candles, shell
necklaces, reggae CDs, small bottles of hot sauce,
sunglasses, sun visors, sunscreen, small bottles of Bacardi,
a gift bag with several of these things, or any other gifts
that have a Caribbean flair.

Decorations

Decorations and favors for the Caribbean party themes
abound, but you have to be careful to include only stuff
that you'd find in the Caribbean. In other words, you aren't
having a luau, so no tiki masks or other uniquely Hawaiian
decor. You can, however, use many of the luau or Hawaiian
labeled decorations for your Caribbean party. Here are some
ideas for decorating:

-> Cover a wall with a tropical photo mural

-> Scatter tan and shades of blue balloons around (beach
colors) or bright tropical floral colors like yellow, pink,
purple, green. There are even balloons shaped like
flamingos, shells, and palm trees! Or, get white and blue
round paper lanterns.

-> Use any of several kinds of palm trees, flamingos,
parrots, tropical fish, and suns (inflatable, metallic,
paper, tissue, lighted strings or otherwise) for Caribbean
party themes.

-> Exotic flowers (real or silk) or tropical candle holders
or luminaries can be table centerpieces or accents anywhere
in your party area.

-> Grass skirting on the tables is a neat touch too. If you
really want to go all out, you can get a grass tiki "hut"
and use it as the bar or other serving area.

-> Don't forget to have Caribbean party themes tableware and
napkins in a bright floral or flamingo pattern, mix and
match bright tropical solid colors, or even shell-shaped
plates and coconut cups!

Food

The Caribbean's unique flavors will be sure to delight your
guests! Be sure to use Caribbean sauces and spices like Jerk
sauce, Jamacian hot sauce, tabasco, and a host of pepper
sauces and spices when creating your food. Some menu ideas
are: Jerk Chicken (or Pork Chops, Beef, Lamb), Fried
Plantains, Banana Bread, Jamacian Rice and Beans, Fishcakes,
Seafood Patties, Coconut Shrimp, Any kind of Kabobs (with
Island style spices), Conch Fritters, Spicy Pasta Salad,
Crab Souffle, and for those who aren't that adventurous,
regular barbequed chicken.

Have some Caribbean sweets and desserts on hand too! Try
Bermuda Triangle cookies, coconut cookies/cake, pineapple
cake with rum sauce, rum bananas, pineapple tarts, fruit
pies, fruit salad with pina colada sauce. Be sure to have
stuff on hand for non-fruit lovers, like chocolate cake,
chocolate souffle (remember the French influence on some
of the islands), etc.

Drinks

Don't forget tropical drinks! Serve daiquiris, pina coladas,
rum punch, Bahama Mamas, and a whole host of other tropical
drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Caribbean party
themes wouldn't be complete without Bacardi-based rum
drinks!

Cake

If it's a birthday or other celebration, you'll need a cake.
Or you might just want a cake as a dessert item. With a
tropical theme, I'd go with coconut or pineapple upside down
cake! Or you might want a round or sheet cake decorated as
Bob Marley or with the Bemuda Triangle. Other ideas could be
a palm tree, Jamacian flag, turquoise ocean with tropical
fish, steel drum instruments, etc.

Games

Anyone up for a conga line or limbo? How low can YOU go?
Other than those games, I wouldn't "clutter" the party with
any scheduled games. Let the music and the guests entertain
themselves. Dancing and rum make for great fun!

Entertainment

Reggae, steel drum, calypso, and other Caribbean sounds are
mandatory. You can also play an Ocean Sounds CD (This would
be nice during a sit-down dinner.) Or, hire a band or DJ and
let them worry about keeping the sounds coming!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cheryl Levey loves to party and decided to turn that love
into a fun and informational resource for all adults who
love to party too. Plan your next party using the resources
and ideas on her brand new website:
http://www.party-planning-ideas.com
and have a great party!