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Pirates of the Caribbean Launch Party

The popularity of pirates is pretty universal, kids are getting as much out of the silliness of “National Talk Like A Pirate Day” as the adults are, and fabulous pirate fancy dress costumes are available. The latest installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Pirates of the Caribbean:  On Stranger Tides is up for release soon, and what better excuse for some themed fun than a Pirates of the Caribbean Launch Party?

If you want your guests to dress up, give them plenty of time to organize their costumes. Consider giving out invitations with specific “roles”; pirate wench, buccaneer, Royal Navy Commandant are possible choices, after all, how many Captain Sparrows can one room hold? Use the invitations to set the tone, the more effort you put into them, the more people are likely to put into their costumes.

How far you go with the decoration is up to you, but there are simple ways to bring aspects of pirate ships and of the Caribbean to most venues. Decorative touches for the party can be as simple as hanging lanterns and ropes around the place, or as extreme as covering the whole floor with sand and bringing in life size palm trees. Dust off Halloween skulls and skeletons to add to the look. Keep lighting levels low, and get a mix of reggae and steel drum music burned to disc. For kids’ parties look out for themed paper plates and cups.

If your venue has various rooms then each can have a separate look, aimed at replicating different aspects of the films’ settings. Decorate one as though on-board a ship, a beach area, Davy Jones Locker, the pirates drinking den.

Rum is the obvious choice for alcoholic drinks. Mix up a large bowl of rum punch, and fruit punch for the kids and non-drinkers. Deck out the food tables with plenty of fruit and mangoes to carry on the theme. Using piles of gold wrapped chocolates (round balls or coins normally kept for Christmas decorations). Caribbean cuisine adds a stylish touch, but Barbecues are an easier option for those of us that are lacking in culinary skills. If you’re going the whole hog, and hiring serving staff, make sure they fit the bill by providing them with suitable pirate fancy dress costumes.

For children’s parties (or adults with a sense of humor) theme the fun and games round piratical ideas. Have few treasures hidden round the house and garden (cutlasses, compasses and treasure chests) and mock up some treasure maps to provide clues. Have a quiz based on the Pirates of the Caribbean films, or make them act out scenes from the films. If garden space and weather permits you can even make losers (or winners) walk the plank into a paddling pool. Face painting can add scars, twirled mustaches and eye-patches. Getting in a fully decked out “fortune teller” can add to the atmosphere.

This article was written by Joker’s Masquerade, leading providers of fancy dress costumes in the UK.