How to Throw a Beach-Themed Party in the Wintertime

So, have you had your fill of snow shovels and sub-zero temperatures yet? Yearning for a little jaunt to Hawaii, Florida or the Caribbean? Even though finances might have you sentenced to a full-term of this dreary winter, don't despair! If you can't go to the beach, bring the beach to you.

Follow these tips to host a fun, tropical winter party.

Party Invitations
Get into the summertime spirit with a beach-themed party invitation. Think flip-flops, colorful fish, parrots, palm trees, flamingos, or margarita glasses. Use computer-generated images, scrapbooking supplies, or your own artistic creativity. You can even use sandpaper to create a realistic looking beach scene.

Required Dress
On the invitations, be sure to let your guests know to come in beach attire: shorts, sandals, Hawaiian shirts, sarongs, sunglasses, straw hats, straw skirts . . . even bathing suits! (Just remember to crank up the heat.) Slather on some nice, coconut scented suntan lotion, too. Ah . . . now that's the smell of the beach!

Decorations
Visit your local party store or dollar store for fun "beachy" decorations. The Oriental Trading Company has a nice variety of luau themed decorations such as inflatable palm trees, tabletop Polynesian torches, flower garlands, paper parrots and pineapples, and even luau themed toilet paper. Place fragrant fresh flowers or eye-catching tissue paper flowers throughout your home. White Christmas lights or paper lanterns will create a festive ambiance, too!

Music
You won't have the full tropical effect without the right music. Play your favorite beach-inspired tunes throughout the party. Of course, you've got to have the three all-time classic beach performers: Jimmy Buffett, the Beach Boys, and UB-40.

Tropical Drinks
Greet your guests at the door with a colorful lei and a frozen concoction, with alcohol or without. Nothing says tropical like a fruity, frozen drink. And don't forget the tiny little umbrellas! Check out drink recipes from sites such as Bar Brews. Here are few delicious suggestions: Margaritas, Pina Coladas, Rum Runners, Daiquiris, Bahamamamas, Mai-Tais or Mojitos.

Food
Prepare trays of fresh fruit, shrimp, kabobs, and almost anything slathered in Caribbean jerk marinade. For dessert, serve regular ice cream to the kids, and prepare this decadent treat for the adults: take a scoop of vanilla ice cream, roll it in cinnamon-sugar, and pour Kahlua over the top. Delicious!

Entertainment
Both kids and adults will get into the tropical spirit with some fun games and crafts. Beach towels, beach balls, or pails and shovels make great prizes for the winners. Here are a few activity ideas:

Coconut Bowling: Set up a bowling alley with empty plastic bottles and bowl with coconuts.

Limbo Contest: How low can you go?

Beach Bingo: Prepare bingo cards with the names of beaches and islands. 5-in-a-row is BINGO!

Leis: For this craft, hole-punch large silk flowers and cut colorful straws into 1-inch segments. Your guests can string the flowers and straws on a cord to make their own leis.

Sand Art: Your guests can make creative works of art by pouring colored sand into small vases.

Kids' Sand Box: If your party will include families, set up a small sandbox in the garage for the kids. Hide seashells and coins in the sand and provide shovels for a treasure hunt. One special trinket can win an additional prize.

Escape from winter for a few hours with a beach bash. Your friends and family will love it!