How to Organize a Pirates of the Caribbean-Themed Party

Contributor

By John O'Mahony
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (4 Ratings)

You look like you're going to walk the plank!

If you have a pool, you are half way to organizing the perfect "Pirates of the Caribbean"-themed party. Now just add rum!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Pirates have to get wet--or else they're just landlubbers. Take advantage of the pool to play walk the plank, but make sure you tell your guests in advance that they're going to end up in the drink and to bring some towels and a change of clothes.
Step 2

It's essential to get the lingo right if you want to throw a shipshape pirate party. So on party day, and even before, it's "Ahoy!" instead of "Hello," "Avast" instead of "Hey," "Aye" instead of "yes," and toss in "Arrrgh" whenever you can. Check out Internet sites, such as talklikeapirate.com, for a broader education (see Resources).
Step 3

Set the perfect tone for the party with the right invitation. Write it or e-mail it pirate-"Ahoy there Matey," for starters. If you're sending written invitations add pirate touches-rub coffee on the invite to age it, put a wax seal on it to give it authenticity, and even burn the edges to show it's been through the war on all the Seven Seas.
Step 4

Your guests should come dressed as characters from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies and ham it up as Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Captain Barbossa, Davy Jones, Bootstrap Bill, Sao Feng and whatever other bloodthirsty raiders take their fancy. If they don't come in suitable attire, make them walk the plank!
Step 5

Decorate your pirate world. Pull the Halloween decorations out of storage to find skulls and skeletons. And make sure you have the Jolly Roger-the pirates' skull and crossbones flag-in a prominent position. Add black and gold balloons and streamers and visit your local party store to get more ideas.
Step 6

Choose reggae, reggaeton, dancehall and steel drum band music as the soundtrack for your "Pirates of the Caribbean" party. Browse iTunes for a suitable playlist and put your iPod on shuffle through the sound system. Keep it lively and light.
Step 7

No Pirate party would be complete without bottles of rum and Caribbean-style drinks. Make plenty of Planter's Punch with rum and have everything on hand to make Caribbean cocktails, such as Mojitos, Pina Coladas and Hurricanes. Serve everything with slices of lime to help ward off "scurvy," the dreaded seaman's disease.
Step 8

Once your guests have had a few drinks, get them livened up with a Limbo Dance competition. You probably won't have to suggest a conga line, as one of your more lubricated guests will get it started on their own.
Step 9

Get out the barbecue and, even if you're not going to serve suckling pig or roast goat, give your food pirate-friendly names. "Hard Tack Hamburgers" will satisfy most hungry pirates, but if you're really adventurous you can try making the pirate stew of choice, the legendary culinary feast of Salmagundi, with beef, chicken or pork.
Step 10

Hire a fortuneteller to read palms, or get a hairdresser-or a friend with some nimble fingers-to braid pirate hair and add on dreadlock extensions.
Step 11

Keep your visiting pirates wet. Organize a tug-of-war with the losers having to pass through a sprinkler spray.
Step 12

Organize a major event as a finale for the party-a giant conga line will get everyone involved, as will a rousing chorus of the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song, "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)."