How to Create Your Own Pirate Decorations

Pirate-themed parties are fun for all ages, probably because it seems like pirates always have a good time. Admit it, who doesn't like to say, "Yo, ho! ho!"? Creating decorations fit for a pirate isn't hard, but it will take a little bit of time and creativity.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard boxes, variety of sizes
• Brown and black paint
• Paint brush
• Costume jewelry
• Skull and cross bones image (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Pirate_Flag_of_Rack_Rackham.svg/744px-Pirate_Flag_of_Rack_Rackham.svg.png)
• White and black felt
• Glue
• 6 foot wooden dowel
• 20 feet of rope
• Netting
• Inflatable shark or crocodile pool toy
• 2 large sheets of white poster board
• Gold paint
• Foil covered chocolate coins
• Whisky barrels (optional)

Instructions

Pirate Decorations

1. "Avast ye me hearties! Keep a look out for pirate booty." To make treasure chests, paint several boxes brown and add some black streaks to make them look like they're made of old wood. Once dry, drape costume jewelry out of the top of the boxes and place around the room. Make sure you make a smaller-sized box that can be used as a centerpiece.

2. "Belay that landlubber talk and hoist the colors!" It's not a pirate ship without a flag, so fly one high above your party. Trace a large skull and crossbones onto a piece of white felt. Cut it out and then glue to the black felt. Once dry, glue flag to the end of the wooden dowel. If you have time, make several of these and place them around the room.

3. "Ahoy, thar matey!" Get everyone in the spirit by creating a nautical ambiance. Hang rope and netting along a wall. Attach an inflatable shark or crocodile pool toy. Anchor the pirate flag on the dowel at one end.

4. Pirates always seem to have a sword handy, so a few decorative ones are important. Cut out three or four swords from each piece of poster board. There are a number of websites that can show you possible sword shapes, such as www.stormthecastle.com. Paint them gold and once dry, glue a few jewels to the handles. Hang these on the walls.

5. Don't send 'em to the crows nest to count their booty, give 'em a pirate table. Cover a table with a black tablecloth and place the small treasure chest in the middle. Fill it with foil covered chocolate coins that spill over the top.

6. If you're feeling very ambitious, a few old whisky barrels will add a lot of pirate-like flare, plus they're a great height for a tray of appetizers. Check out www.kentuckybarrels.com/wholebarrels.html. These are quite expensive, so only use them if your budget is unlimited.

Tips & Warnings

• Aside from decorations, a cool invitation, great games, interesting food/drinks and costumes can go a long way to make a pirate-themed event a success. You might want to consider sending the invitation in an empty bottle (as though you're shipwrecked). Games could include a treasure hunt, mock sword fighting or even walking the plank with prizes when you jump. Drinks could include grog (punch) served in pirate-like mugs; and for costumes, it's hard to go wrong with a bandana, a hoop earring, an inflatable parrot on your shoulder, some blackened teeth and old ripped clothing.