Beach Party Theme Ideas
With summer fading fast, it's time to plan one last ultimate beach party to remember in the winter months. With summer too short for many people, there are never enough excuses to enjoy a beautiful day with friends partying by the water. While a barbecue, bonfire, and ice-cold craft beer never gets old, think about throwing a themed beach party to make it even more memorable for you and your friends. Try out one of these themes for an adult birthday or as a reason to hit the beach one last time.
Surf's Up
Whether or not you live by the ocean, who doesn't enjoy the relaxed vibes, attitudes and free spirit lifestyle advocated by the surf culture? Whether you live in Cali, Maui, or Minneapolis, where there's water there's a way to enjoy a surfer themed party. Invite your friends with some hand drawn invites cut in the shape of a surfboard. Serve Pina Coladas in fresh coconuts and serve drinks from a "Surf Shack" . Set up an old surfboard for a buffet table and serve seafood ceviche, fried shark bites, and make-your-own fish tacos for an informal and fresh beach lunch. If you live on the ocean, invite some friends to join you in catching a wave. Make sure your play list includes some Beach Boys, Dick Dale, B-52s, old No Doubt, and The Surfaris. Give everyone a puka shell necklace as a party favor.
Luau
A traditional Hawaiian feast, a luau is a great theme for your next beach party. While leis are one of the obvious accessories for your luau, take your theme to the next level with traditional fare and music. Invite your friends to join you in mai tais and traditional appetizers such as poi, a mashed taro paste, is great used as a dip for crudites and fresh fruit as it has a mild and delicate flavor. Poke, which is similar to ceviche, is a raw fish dish made from ingredients such as yellowfin tuna sashimi marinated with salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili pepper, seaweek, octopus, onion, hot sauce, tomato, and garlic. Kalua pig is slow roasted on a spit or in a pit over mesquite. Have a drumming circle or practice dancing the hula together. Give everyone an authentic grass skirt to wear when they arrive. Coconut bra not included.
Summer Camp
When it comes to summer, who doesn't remember attending their favorite sleep away camp as a kid? Throw a nostalgic party for adults based on the classic, all-American child's summer. Have a beach side bonfire, roast s'mores from decadent ingredients such as godiva chocolates, handmade marshmallows, and homemade graham crackers. Feast on foods from childhood but update them with adult flavors like roasted corn on the cob with a chili butter, macaroni and cheese with blue cheese and bacon, caprese salad with balsamic reduction, and sloppy joes made from slow-braised short ribs. Spike some "bug juice" with a fruity rum or vodka, and play night games. Light sparklers and tell ghost stories.
