How to Throw a Great Beach Party

Beach parties are the perfect way to celebrate summer. It's fun and rewarding to get all your friends together to hang out in the sun, swim and enjoy good food. Get creative and original with a cool theme, and carry it throughout the party in the food and décor. Planning a beach party is easy - before you know it you'll be relaxing in the sand with a tropical drink.

Things You'll Need

• A good beach location
• Decorations
• Music
• Portable table
• Food
• Grill & grilling supplies, if barbecuing
• Beverages
• Coolers
• Ice
• Disposable cups, dinnerware, utensils & napkins
• Trash Bags

Instructions

1. Choose the location wisely. The perfect spot for a great beach party should be clean, with a wide sandy area that won't completely disappear at high tide. The best beach party locations allow fire pits and alcoholic drinks, or at least have some built in grills and picnic tables.

2. Decide upon a theme. Creative themes turn your average beach party into an occasion to remember. Some ideas include Hawaiian luau, retro 50's style, Mexican fiesta, surfing and deserted island.

3. Set a realistic budget. Decide on a spending limit ahead of time and keep it in mind while you're shopping so you won't end up spending too much in one category and running out of money to spend on the others. You'll be purchasing decorations, food, drinks, disposable supplies and possibly music.

4. Plan a menu. Your theme can help you figure out what kind of food and drinks you want to serve; for example, you could serve barbecued pork, pineapple and coconut-flavored drinks at a luau. Now's the time to decide whether you're going to try to make the food yourself, have the party catered, or have a potluck.

5. Pick the music you want to have playing during the party. Plan on having more than you think you need in case the party runs longer than expected. Since it's not really practical to set up a full DJ station on the beach, you may just want to use a large battery-powered stereo.

6. Shop for your decorations and supplies. Don't go overboard with decorations - it can end up looking cheesy. Some tiki torches, a colorful tablecloth, a fire pit and a few beach balls will do the trick.

7. Prepare the food. If you're cooking the food yourself, you'll want to get everything together the day before and do any prep that may be required, such as putting together pasta salads or shish kebabs and making desserts.

8. Put out your decorations and set up all the food and drinks on a portable table covered with a festive tablecloth 30 minutes to an hour before guests start arriving.

9. Relax and have a good time along with your guests. Nobody likes a party host who's running around stressing out about every detail.

Tips & Warnings

• Before the party, check with local officials about the rules regarding trash, glass bottles, alcohol and fires. You may be required to get a permit.

• Don't make your theme too complicated; remember you want to be able to pull it off convincingly, with style!

• Ask your guests to bring their own beach blankets, chairs and towels.

• Remember to get plenty of ice to keep food and drinks cold.

• Make sure children are under adult supervision at all times. A tragic accident can occur within seconds.