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Party Planning
- Theme Party Ideas
- Nautical Party Ideas
"Fantastic Voyage", "Nautical
Nonsense", "Cruising on the S.S. Party" or "Anchors Away...for a
boat rockin' party"
Nautical
Party Ideas
The key to pulling off a coordinated
event: Evoke your theme throughout the affair. Whether that
theme is as general as a season or a feeling, or as specific as
a special flower, it should be the subtle thread that ties
everything together. Your location, invitations, flowers, menu,
cake, and favors should all cleverly reflect one common concept.
Then, get as creative as you can!
After selecting a Nautical theme for your party, choose a slogan to use in your invitations, and to use in tying in decorations and personalized favors for your sea-faring Nautical theme. Find the perfect slogan for your party by trying one of the following, or by thinking of one that suits you.
"Anchors Away...for a boat rockin' party!
"Ahoy Maties...It's time to party!"
"Ship's Ahoy Sailmates...We'll be cruising on the S.S. Party!"
"Join us for some Nautical Nonsense to celebrate Jon's 40th birthday!"
Colors:
Navy, Red & White
Nautical
Invitations for all occasions
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Choose an invitation
that will let your guests know what a seaworthy
time they will have at your party or event or
wedding.
Send a message in a bottle from the sea!
Imprinted your personalized slogan and details
of the party…you name it, on a scroll. Roll the
invitation up, and tie it with a small piece of
green (seaweed) curling ribbon or raffia. Add
the invite to an empty water bottle (label
removed). Add about 4 tablespoons of sand to
each bottle, and a few small seashells. One
Puca
Shell Necklace
can be cut apart to make 10 - 12 bottles.
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Our
Carlson Craft site offers the following Nautical &
Beach themed invitations
Sail Away - This invitation is
complete with sand and bright, colorful artwork. Perfect for a
Nautical party, beach party, cruise, or even a luau!
Parties Invitation! You choose
the ink color and the design. This bright white card gives you
the flexibility to choose any design for your party theme! A
Nautical design #246 is available with a ship, anchor &
captain's wheel around the border. There is also a border with
ships for a retirement party and beach & tropical borders.
Waves of Fun - Start your party
off with a summer fun invitation. Featuring flip-flops and ocean
waves, this translucent invitation will be a hit.
Seashell - Family and friends
will look forward to a walk on the beach, a pool party or an
invitation to your destination wedding when they see this
invitation arrive
Island Adventure - This fun
invitation ensemble is all about the beach! Great for summer
fun, this sandal-shaped invitation is accented with tropical
flora and stripes.
Show and Tell - A bright white
pop-up adirondack chair displays your invitation wording. Less
routine and more celebration will be the consensus when this
invitation arrives!
Silver Embossed Seashell Seal -
Solid silver seals are embossed with a seashell.
Gold Embossed Seashell Seal -
Solid gold seals are embossed with a seashell.
Nautical
& Beach Accessories perfect for Weddings, Anniversaries
and other Upscale Events.
Shell Cards Personalized - Personalize these gift
cards with your name or names in your choice of ink color. Holes
are pre-punched for attaching with ribbon. Ribbon is sold
separately.
Bring a bit of the beach to your
table settings when you use these
Seashell Place Cards.
An alternative to the unity
candle!
Decanter Set - Simply fill the
two, 7 3/4" tall decanters with craft sand (sold separately) in
single colors that represent the bride and groom. During the
ceremony, the bride and groom pour sand from their decanters
into the larger, 10 3/4" tall decanter. The decanters will be
engraved with one initial each to display your married
monogram.
Craft Sand - Containers of
craft sand are available in the six bright colors. 22 ounces per
container.
All You Need Is Love Beach Towel
- Generously-sized beach towel.
Silver Embossed Seashell Seal -
Solid silver seals are embossed with a seashell.
Gold Embossed Seashell Seal -
Solid gold seals are embossed with a seashell
Nautical
Decorating Ideas
Create the perfect atmosphere for your Sea Swept Event.
Table Decorations:
At some point during the planning
stages of your event the subject of linens will arise. When it
does stop and think of all the possibilities available to you
before you go with standard issue polyester tablecloths.
Remember the tops of the tables provide you with a very large
surface area and covering them with a beautiful tablecloth is
the easiest way to change the feel of a room.. It is also the
most cost effective way to decorate. Ten tables covered with a
nautical theme linen print for example will make a statement
that no solid colored tablecloth can make. Need to rent linens
in Cypress, TX visit our sister site at:
rentpartylinens.com
Guide guests to their tables by
using a gold Ship's Lantern as a centerpiece or add a nautical
flair with a
Sailboat Centerpiece. Or
carry through your nautical theme on your tables with this
lovely
Deep Sea
Centerpiece (gossamer
and festooning simulate the ocean floor).
Bring a bit of the beach to your
table settings when you use these
Seashell Place Cards.
Shell Cards Personalized - Personalize these gift
cards with your name or names in your choice of ink color. Holes
are pre-punched for attaching with ribbon. Ribbon is sold
separately.
Add these little
Mini Sea
Creatures
to your tables and centerpieces to carry through your seaside
theme. Then hand them out to your guests as fun favors! Attach
them to your napkins to create fun napkin rings.
Room Decorations:
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If your budget is
low, but your dreams are grand, consider the
depth of a giant photo
mural. They fill an entire wall, and
better yet, they provide guests with the most
realistic setting imaginable. We would suggest
this
Cinnamon Bay Wall Mural,
or
Dolphin's Paradise Mural
This friendly
cardboard and corrugated
octopus standee
would love to put his arms around a child and
pose for a photo!
Drape blue, white
or yellow
fish net over
your cake table or on walls and chairs.
Sail away to the perfect party with this
Nautical Kit.
It
contains: 1 Sailing Vessel, 1 Cruise Ship Mural,
1 Dock, 1 Lighthouse without rocks, 1 Felt Palm
Tree, 1 Nautical Netting, 1 Anchor, 1 Package of
Seagulls and 2 Plastic Life Preservers.
Purchase the full
kit with all the trimmings or purchase the
individual pieces to create your own scene.
Set
Sail on a Romantic Adventure with this
Fantastic Voyage Kit
The Fantastic Voyage Kit Contains: 1 Titanic
Lighted Silhouette, 1 Port of Southampton
Entrance & Ramp, 4 Fence/Light Sections (8’
fence & 1 lamp per section) with Life
Preservers, and 6 Bon Voyage Signs.
Finish off your
Southampton Port setting with this 6’ wide
Fence Section with Light
and Life Preserver, complete with an
8’ tall antique lamppost and one life preserver.
Offering a genuine seaport feel, this heavy
black corrugated fence can be used to create the
border between your land and sea.
Place this
realistic
5' long shark
outside your door to welcome guests to your
shark-infested waters! Makes a great photo
prop.
Create a real
deep sea scene with this
colossal cardboard anchor!
Features include twinkle lights, fish net, and 7
1/2' long cardboard chain.
Transport your
guest to ocean-side dining with this adorable 7'
high x 6' wide
Crab
Shack Entrance.
A ferocious shark and friendly crab are ready to
greet your friends a the door! The woodgrain
corrugated paper gives the appearnace of an
authentic shack.
Steer your way to
a birthday party for sailors and land lovers
galore with this 24" wide plastic
Captain's Wheels.
This one-sided
25" wide plastic
Maritime Anchor
is the perfect accent for your nautical party!
Choose blue, silver, yellow or red. Or you may
prefer this 24" paper mâché
White Anchor.
This kit includes
four
Dockside Pilings
(two 47 ½" high, one 36" high, and one 30"
high), one white anchor, one fishnet, sea
shells, and styrofoam floats.
Create the perfect seaside backdrop with
Blue
Horizon Patterned Paper.
Attach several of these 16" one-sided
Porthole Cut-Outs
to a wall to give the impression of a seafaring
ship!
Place this 9' 9"
high
Life Preserver Arch
at your party entrance for a great photo
opportunity and welcome area. Hang 23"
Plastic Life Preserver
on
the walls.
Pose for photos
on the high seas with this 4' x 3 1/2'
freestanding,
3-D captain's wheel.
Don't forget the
Sea
Gulls, attach them to walls or hang
from the ceiling for a seaside effect.
Clear
Votive Holder
with blue nautical anchors add mood
lighting to your tables. White candle included.
Can also serve as lovely favors for your guests.
Add a nautical
touch to tables and favor bags with these
Assorted Sea Shells.
Captain Peter’s Decorating Kit
is a great way to decorate a hallway or wall.
Nautical Signal Garland
Place this
Ship’s Rail alongside blue
Water Gossamer, balloons or cracked
ice for an ocean illusion!
Catch a wave –
with a dolphin! Constructed of heavy corrugated
and covered with iridescent flakes, these 46" x
46" x 12"
dolphin decorations
will make a big splash at your seaside parties.
This
Cruise Ship Mural
is 5' x 11' and is the perfect addition to any
Nautical theme. |
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Games
& Activities:
Of course you will want to play
some appropriate cruisin' kind of music - the kind that
hopefully will inspire some dancin' on the upper deck! We
suggest playing Caribbean type music, or maybe a little Jimmy
Buffet for starters! Don't forget about the theme song to the
infamous Love Boat for a cute and unusual twist!
Here are a couple of games that
work great with this theme and help your guests mingle together
throughout the entire evening!
- Get a list of the different
nautical symbols. Spell words with the symbols, and have
people figure out what the words are. Give out prizes to the
person who gets the most right.
- You could also play "To
Speak, or Not to Speak". Give each player a bag or goodie
box with 10 small treasures in it (candy, chocolates, little
favors). Have bags labeled with players' names, so they
don't get mixed up. Let players know at the start of the
game exactly when the game will be ending-this game can be
played throughout an entire party if you so choose. The
object of the game is to catch fellow players saying one of
the forbidden words or phrases:
NAUTICAL, BOAT, OCEAN, WAVES, BEACH, YACHT
To help players, post the words prominently on a board where
they can be seen often. If someone is caught saying one of
the words on the list, that person has to give up a treasure
from their stash. The player with the biggest haul of
goodies at the end of the game is the winner. Lots of fun!
These ideas are great for the little
mates you may have on board.
Take a Trip
If time permits, take your guests on a
trip to your local maritime museum! Many museums offer tours and
programs especially for children. If you are in Houston, Tx. visit the
Texas
Seaport Museum, or
Houston
Maritime Museum.
"Captain
Says" - A game of
"simon says" with a nautical twist.
Octopus Tag
The birthday child begins as the Octopus
in the middle of a large playing area. All other players are Fish who
must try to run past the Octopus to the other side of the playing area.
If a Fish is tagged, he or she holds hands with the Octopus and become
a tentacle to help tag more fish. The last Fish alive, wins!
Fish, Fish, Shark
This game is based on the traditional
“Duck, Duck, Goose” game, but instead of a goose chasing a duck, a
shark chases a fish. Start with all your little fishes seated in a
circle. Designate a leader to walk around the circle, tapping guests on
the head and calling each person a fish. After several guests have been
tapped, the leader chooses one guest and yells out “Shark” when
tapping him or her on the head. The Shark chases the leader and tries
to tag her as she races around the circle and back to the Shark’s
spot. If the leader is caught, then she remains the leader another
round. If the leader escapes the Shark, the Shark becomes the new
leader. Repeat the game until every guest has a chance to be the
leader.
Fish for a Name Tag
Make a fish-shaped name tag for each
guest using thick, colorful paper. Decorate with markers and attach a
paper clip to the mouth of each fish. Place all the fish in an empty
kiddie pool or decorated box. As each guest arrives, hand him or her a
fishing pole (sturdy stick with a yarn “line” and a magnet
“hook”). When a fish is “caught,” write the child’s name on
it or give them the name of their favorite sea creature.
FOOD
IDEAS
The most logical fare for a Nautical/Cruise Night gala would be seafood of any type. Here are a couple of suggestions - some could be used as appetizers, while others are more of a main entrée option.
- Angel hair pasta with shrimp and basil
- Seafood stirfry
- Shrimp cocktail
- Flounder with crabmeat stuffing
- Another adult friendly dish would be a large Popeye's spinach pie! Your guests will be breaking out in the "Popeye the Sailorman" theme song in no time - guaranteed!
If you will be serving children at your event, they have a bit of a different taste when it comes to festive foods, so here are a couple choices for the younger shipmates
- Make blue J-ellotm
according to the directions on the box. Fill each glass with blue
J-ellotm and refrigerate to let it partially set. Add
a few Swedish Fish to each glass. Test the first one, as they
shouldn’t sink to the bottom, but should “swim” in the water.
Continue to refrigerate until firm. The kids will love this one!
- Serve Trader's Punch (recipe below) out of a large punch bowl - don't forget to add the floating toy sailboat on top!
- Try our “Deep Blue Sea Juice”,
and you’ll fill the room with “ooohs and aaahs”. Start by
serving blue punch. After you have placed a filled glass in front
of each guest, add some seaweed dust (a few Pop Rockstm
candies) to each one. Since this candy is processed with carbon
dioxide, it will crackle, pop, and spit when it comes into contact with
a liquid.
- Make beach boats by placing a slice of apple on each plate. Cut a cheese slice in half at an angle and place that like a sail on the plate. Add some peanut butter to the apple slice and add a few raisins as the people on the boat .
- Serve
Goldfishtm, submarine sandwiches or sandwiches cut with fish
cookie cutters, Doletm Pineapple Fish (they are pre-cut in
the can), fish fruit snacks, and sunken treasure nuggets (cheese
balls.)
- Cut fish out of the rice crispy treats
with a cookie cutter. Place them on a large cake board covered
with Dark
Blue Water Gossamer, and frost each one differently with
bright colors of frosting. There is no right or wrong way to
decorate the fish…and you can even involve your child in the fun!
If you prefer a more traditional cake, simply cut a 9 X 13” cake into
a fish shape, and decorate it with bright colors
Seashells
& Cheese
2 cups uncooked seashell macaroni (7 ounces)
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded or cubed Cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Cook macaroni as directed on package.
While macaroni is cooking, melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over low
heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth
and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring
constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese. Cook, stirring
occasionally, until cheese is melted.
Drain macaroni. Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce. Pour into
ungreased 2-quart casserole. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until
bubbly.
Makes 6 servings
Trader's
Punch
2 cups orange juice
2 cups lemon juice
1 cup grenadine syrup
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 1-pint (12-ounce) bottles ginger ale, chilled
Fresh berries or sliced fruit
Mix fruit juices, grenadine and corn syrup;
chill. Just before serving, add ginger ale
and fruit. Makes 4 quarts.
CAKE
LINKS
If cake
is the dessert of choice, a simple and sweet cake is as easy as this!
Frost a double layer round cake with light beige frosting. Sprinkle big
grain brown sugar over it - a striking resemblance to sand! You can then
add some doll beach chairs and umbrellas, or just a few plastic seagulls
to keep it simple. Use your imagination and round up those old toys to
keep with the theme.
Sailboat Cake at Betty Crocker
Catch of the Day Cake
Related Theme
Ideas
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Napkins
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