Whether it's for celebrating a birthday or just a get-together, a Caribbean-themed party can bring a taste of the islands to almost any locale. In order to make the party a success, it will require proper planning. Following five tips should help most people with both the planning and execution of a Caribbean-themed party. These include choosing the right decor, implementing a tropical dress code, choosing appropriate music, setting up fun activities and finding authentic food and drink.
Perhaps the most important part of a Caribbean-themed party is setting up decorations. For this type of party, it's usually best to decorate to provide a beach vibe. This can be accomplished by first setting up a few tiki torches and some fake palm trees. These can be found either online or in many party shops. Also, stringing up white lights and placing some sea shells around the area can help add to the ambiance.
Another issue is the dress code. When going for the Caribbean feel, it's important for party-goers to dress appropriately. In this case, the fashion should be casual and laid back. Some ideas for clothing could include tropical shirts, khaki shorts, beachcomber hats and sandals.
Selecting appropriate music is another important part of the party planning process. When it comes to a Caribbean-themed party, it's usually best to stick to music from that region. For example, reggae and ska are common types of music associated with the Caribbean. In addition, junkanoo is the music of the Bahamas, and should work well for getting people in the spirit. If possible, the party planner could also hire some steel drum musicians to add even more authenticity to the event.
Setting up some fun activities is another detail that should be addressed when planning a Caribbean-themed party. In order to keep the event running smoothly, playing a party game such as the limbo is a possibility. If the event is outdoors, it's also possible to set up a volleyball net and play some beach volleyball.
In addition, finding authentic food and drink from the Caribbean should be a priority. When it comes to food, seafood like fish and shrimp tends to be a good choice that meshes with the island theme. Also, barbeque ribs, jerked chicken, pineapple and coconut can be a big hit. For desert, it's typically best to stick with a fruity dish like key-lime pie. Typical beverages include rum for alcoholic drinks and fruit punch for non-alcoholic ones.
