Host an International Party to Learn About Another Culture

Do you long to experience life in another country yet lack the funds or time to travel? Consider throwing an international party and introduce your friends to the sights, sounds and tastes of another culture.

Choose Your Destination
If you could win a trip to anywhere in the world, where would you choose to go? Your excitement about your party destination will spread to your guests and help make your event a hit. What country's scenery, food, traditional music or customs do you find most appealing? Visit Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia on the Internet (www.wikipedia.org) and type in your country's name to learn more about it and see a picture of its flag.

Music And Color Provide International Atmosphere
Send out invitations, via e-mail or regular mail, using colors from your destination country's flag or an actual picture of its flag. As soon as your guests step through your door they should feel transported to your destination country. Visit your local library's, "international music," section. Set up your CD or audio cassette player to fill your home with traditional music while guests arrive. Decorate using colors from your destination country's flag. Look in dollar stores and discount stores for tablecloths, napkins, candles, crepe paper, party plates and cups. Print out flag images and place one at each table setting or a few on a buffet table. Place flag images and coordinating colored candles in the kitchen and bathroom too. Borrow books about your destination country from your local library. The children's section is a great place to find books with vivid, color photos. Display these books on coffee tables in your living room so guests can flip through them.

Food & Drink With Ethnic Style
In addition to your local library, you can find international party menu ideas at online sites such as All Recipes (http://allrecipes.com). Click on, "Recipes," then browse, "World Cuisine," for thousands of international recipes. If your guests enjoy cooking, consider including a simple recipe in each invitation for a dish they can make and bring. Encourage guests to eat the foods you serve in a traditional manner. For example, using chopsticks for Asian dishes like fried rice; or their right hand for a West African dish like fufu. Have utensils on hand for less adventurous guests. Try to include a traditional beverage from your destination country such as a wine or beer produced there; or tea or coffee served in the country's customary manner. Think Japanese sake wine, Turkish coffee, Spanish hot chocolate.

Travel Party Highlights
After dinner, show guests a travel film about your destination country, or a subtitled film produced in that country's native language. Again, your local library can be a helpful resource for your international party. If you have a lot of room or plan to celebrate in your backyard, teach guests a simple traditional dance. Your library's children's section can provide fun and easy international folk dance music, with instruction, such as The Jewish/Israeli Horah or The Italian Tarantella. Start by teaching your most outgoing adult guest first, along with any children present, and others will soon join in the fun.