Themed Pool Parties for People who Love Life
Every year after the clouds begin to clear and the pollen settles, we emerge from our sweat pants a winter waistlines to seek our summery fun, and will likely attend a handful of pool parties before we fall back into hibernation. These pool parties at their very fundamental components are enjoyable; reveling in my friendships as we frolic in the sun, dipping my legs in the pool, meeting new people, sipping a glass of bubbly champagne and dancing to up-beat, “it’s going to be ok” music. However, I can not help but imagine how much better these parties would be if we invested a just little energy into them verses settling for just the basics.
What if we added some creativity, child-like wonder and perhaps even a little friendly competition? What if we made our run-of-the mill pool party more of an experience to remember? I feel strongly that I do not swim alone in this pool of thought so I have diligently outlined some unique but simple ideas that will transform any regular ol’ pool party into the event of the summer…maybe even the year. These ideas are robust enough to make any average occasion into the awaited annual event. Yet my ideas are just that, so they need a intellectual advocate to put them into motion! (okay so intellect not required…really just anyone with spirit and a drive to make life a little more interesting)
Cowboys & Indians (enh ehm) Native Americans!
The Gist >>
Your guests will come dressed up in their best swimwear rendition of a Cowboy/Cowgirl or a Native American.
Food & Drink >>
Create two tables for eats and drinks. One will be decorated for the cowboys and one for the Native Americans, with of course every guest welcome to sample from each table. You can even keep the theme going into the menu; perhaps you showcase a whisky cocktail for the cowboy table and maybe wine for the N. American table. Its your choice, but have fun with it and be creative.
Entertainment >>
Place several water pistols and bow n’ arrow kits around the party areas. Don’t worry, someone will surly find a use for them; and having a few extra cowboy hats and headpieces/feathers on hand couldn’t hurt either. Then somewhere very accessible you should set up a “tribal tattoo” station, I would suggest using flash tattoos (see pictures below). This doesn’t need to be manned just set out a bowl of water, scissors, some sponges and of course the ink.
For some friendly competition you could throw a “Cowboys vs Indians” water volleyball match. I would suggest doing this pretty early in the day if your guests are drinking, that way people are still viable enough to avoid injury or drowning. Or as an alternative; if you think your party guests are the non-submergible type (they want to stay dry-ish), then perhaps you can award the best dressed in a pre-announced costume contest. The latter will also encourage your guests to participate in the costume part which can sometimes be difficult if your friends are too cool or shy. Most of my friends have long shed any fear of embarrassment (for better or worse) and I’m pretty sure this would not be an issue.
Suggestions & Imagery:
Click on Images for more detail.
Vegas Theme
The Gist >>
This particular theme could easily work well as a twilight soirée (or a night-swim for my simple folk). Invite your guests to show up in their finest high-glam swimwear, think black tie…but swimwear. ( I would also think of hiring security to work the door that day (or night) and have a invite-only guest list. You even could go as far as to band your “VIPs” (perhaps these guests are those that have access to certain parts of the house, behind the bar, etc.)
Food & Drink >>
Tapas or small plates and sushi would be appropriate for this theme, and I would highly suggest you have this event catered. As far as the drinks are concerned I’m sure you could have guessed that champagne should be your focus beverage, with a small open bar set up secondarily to the champagne display.
Entertainment >>
For a true Vegas feel, a DJ should be in the works and a poker tournament should ensue. When your guests RSVP have them also RSVP separately to the poker tournament and collect the buy-ins then. (Venmo is a great app for this type of thing because you can send and receive monies with ease and it even allows for some gloating.)
In addition to the tournament, which not everyone will take part in, hand out poker chips at the door that are different than the ones involved in the tournament play. The purpose of the poker chips that are handed out is for each attendee to try and obtain the most chips throughout the night before a certain time. They may do so by bartering, blackmail, theft or even paying for them if they so wish. There are no rules (aside murder) to obtaining these chips. The cut off shouldn’t be too late or too early; for example, if the party started at 8pm then at 10pm you will have the dj call out to see who has collected the most chips. That person will then win the Jackpot! (which will be what ever you choose before hand).
Lastly, although photo-ops are done a lot, it completely fits this theme and should be included. All you will need a backdrop, props and a photographer.
Suggestions & Imagery:
Click on Images for more detail.
College Daze
The Gist >>
For this throwback, your guest simply need to arrive in their favorite college colors and begin to partake in everything that made college so fun in the first place. If you’re in college still, I would save this theme for a few years down the road because its the nostalgia that really knocks this one home.
Food & Drink >>
Very simple and typical outdoor barbeque foods and pizza should be served to go with the theme. However, if you’re a health nut like me you can always hire a caterer and explain to them your theme, while asking them to put a healthy spin on these common college foods. Drinks should all be served in a red solo cup and I would order a several different mini-kegs and arrange them at a station.
The Entertainment >>
Activities will naturally include beer-pong, corn hole, ladder toss, slip and slide-flip cup etc., and I would also set up one or two tables with a deck of cards for drinking games. The beauty of this event is that you really wont need much pizazz just some pizza! (I’m actually really proud of myself for that pun). Anyway, I was trying to say that this event is realized by its simplicity so take advantage of that. Even the music should be a playlist, no need to spend $$ on a Dj, just be sure to play hits from 5-15 years ago or from whenever your demographic went to college.
Suggestions & Imagery:
Click on Images for more detail.
If you like these ideas, or know someone who would LOVE them then share this post. We no longer have to wade in a pool of mediocrity when there is so much more fun to be had in this short life. Investing a little time and energy into events like these makes all the difference.
If you are local to the Atlanta area and you would like to put one of these gems into action but perhaps you do not feel like you have the time, vision or patience. I will gladly organize and execute the event for you. You can contact me HERE for details and rates. All of these ideas are completely from my mind, so it would be no problem to brainstorm with you if you would like to dream up something a little different .
Otherwise, share this with someone who you know would love to put these into action, our summers need a little more personality!