Island Party Tips...

Having an Island Party is great fun!!!
Next week I will be adding all my Island Party planning tips with some great recipes!

Here are some pictures for inspiration...

Cakes...
     Tropical Birthday Cakes

 Drinks...

 Beauty...


Corsica



Angel Island



Jelly Fish

Scene Setter...  Have a fun island PHOTO SHOOT!!!  It's the perfect activity and a fun way to remember the great times. 
*Set up a back drop--scene setter:  This one is available at Fun Party Stores in PA or online.
*Have a basket full of Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, leis, straw hats, sunglasses, etc.---for your guests to dress in. 
*Take family pictures and funny photos in front of the back drop to make it look like vacation time in your own back yard!
*With the thank you notes, send out picture cds with all the great party pictures.  They are easy and inexpensive to create---and your guests will be really thrilled to have it!

Island Fun Games & Activities

• Coconut Bowling----Using bowling pins or Pina Colada bottles(plastic) and a real coconut.
• Island Fun Photo Shoot
• Hula Hoop Contest
• Hula Dance Contest
• Limbo
• Beach Volley Ball
• Island Treasure Hunt(prizes in the sand box for younger children)
• 3 Legged Races
• Water Fun--Pool time or sprinkler time
• Ring around the Pink Flamingo
• Make your own island drink at the Tiki Bar---Have several different juices and fruits set up---have the guests create their own fruity island drinks!
• Sand Art---in a bottle craft time
• Dig for sea shells(in the sand box)
• Crab races
• Frisbee golf

Island Party Foods & Drinks

• Roasted Pig
• Pulled pork sandwiches(if you budget does not allow for a full pig)
• Ribs
• Tropical Fruit Salad (Pineapple, mangos, passion fruit, coconut, oranges, etc.)
• Fruit Kabobs with pound cake and chocolate drizzle
• Burgers & Hot Dogs on the grill
• Tropical Fruit Jello(Ocean blue jello with tropical fruit--topped with fruity marshmallows)
• Apricot and Coconut Kisses(Recipe in the Galley)
• Key-Lime Cooler cookies(Recipe in the Galley---add lime instead of lemon)
• Macadamia Nuts
• Kona Coffee
• Pina Coladas
• Volcano Punch ~Check out Paula Dean's recipe...  http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/volcano_punch/ 
• Island Punch ~Check out All Recipes...  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/floating-island-punch/

Setting the Island Scence
Table Decorations...

• Bright colored table clothes---in orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, etc.
• Sea Shells and white playground sand
• Grass shirt table skirt
• Flowered necklaces(leis) and tropical flowers(Hibiscus flowers)
• Tiki statues
• Main food centerpiece----Just place a basket with a pineapple, mango, limes, lemons, a coconut and other tropical fruits and a beautiful centerpiece that can also be used.
• Straw hats
• Containers with brightly colored straws and drink umbrellas
• Beach balls
• Surf board or boogie board back drops
• Volcano back drop
• Hibiscus flowers --randomly placed
• Waves backdrop---to border the room
• Blow up palm trees
• Ocean back drop
• Tiki Bar
• Parrots
• Glass containers with limes
• Sunglasses

Island Favors

• Leis---Everyone at the party needs a lei!  Go to www.orientaltrading.com
• Coconut drink cups
• Grass skirts
• Sea shell necklaces
• Flip flops
• Sunglasses
• Straw hats
• Lolli pop---flip flops, flowers, suns, etc.
• Dried tropical fruit mix with a cute island label
• Mini sun screen bottles
• Message in a bottle--favors or invites
• Colorful bags with flowered stickers---filled with tropical treats
• Hawaiian Punch gummy fruit snacks