Pool Party!!!

Having a pool party can be a great way to break up the summer, but how many luaus and limbos can one person handle? Just because there's water involved, it doesn't mean you are limited to palm trees and pineapples, grass skirts and ukuleles.

Here are some ideas to help you get your own creative cells firing so you can throw the most EPIC pool party EVER.

HOUSE CONCERTS are all the rage right now; if you haven't been invited to one, you need to widen your circle of friends. Enlist a local band to come entertain your guests poolside. They will generally do this for a minimal fee; if you know someone who knows someone, even better. Music makes everything better.

THEMES I know, they are juvenile, but I love a theme. The themier the better. I like everything to "go" from the music to the food to the decor. Is that a little OCD? Maybe. But if you like themes like I like themes, here are some ideas that have nothing to do with a luau.

SHARK WEEK Come on, that's a great idea. Can't you see it now? Jaws looping on an outside screen, inflatable sharks in the pool...you can even purchase red dye made specifically for the pool.

Other sharky suggestions:

Serve seafood, obviously. Serve up some sushi, boil some lobster; grill up a nice shark steak. (https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/158421/grilled-gulf-shark/)
Carve a shark head out of a watermelon, teeth and all; use a piece of left over rind for a fin. Fill his mouth with fruit salad. Its a fun centerpiece and you can eat it. And its healthy to boot. (https://www.watermelon.org/Carvings/Shark)
Add a shark cocktail to your drinks menu. You can buy shark swizzles, or stick a few gummy sharks on a swizzle stick.
 
The Shark Bite

• 3/4 oz spiced rum
• 3/4 oz light rum
• 1/2 oz blue Curacao
• 1 1/2 oz sour mix
• 3 or 4 drops grenadine

Fill cocktail shaker with ice and pour in all ingredients, reserving the grenadine. Shake well and pour into a mason jar or old fashioned glass. Dribble the grenadine over the ice and serve immediately.

Use Nautical decor - blues and blues and blues; nautical flags, shells and other beachy items, buoys, glass boat floats, netting
Rowboat Shaped Cooler - if you have access to a small rowboat, fill it with ice and drinks. You can also purchase coolers in the shape of rowboats.
Pre-packaged - Several party supply stores carry shark related party items, including photo booth props


FLAMINGLE I wish I had thought of that, but I didn't. PINK FLAMINGOS are a great pool party theme. They are tropical, but not done to death. And imagine how beautiful your pool and outdoor area will look done up in shades of pink. Obviously, you will need some pink flamingo lawn ornaments, that's a given.

Other ideas:

Pink flamingo pool floats. The more, the merrier.
Filled balloons in every shade of pink imaginable, floating on your pool water.
Ditto for flowers or flower petals.
Tell your guests to dress in pink or white.
Serve shrimp. Grill it, put it in a salad, kebab it.
Serve up a pink cocktail or dessert. Or both at the same time. Check this out:

Vanilla Flamingo

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 cup Irish cream
• 4 Tbsp grenadine
• Whipped cream and more grenadine for garnish

Blend the ice cream, Irish cream and grenadine. Divide into 4 glasses, top with whipped cream and drizzle with additional grenadine.

COWABUNGA Host a 60's style beach blanket bingo surfer themed pool party. This one is easy; start with a Beach Boys playlist. Food is easy too; hot dogs and hamburgers, French onion dip (yes, you gotta), chips, Jell-O salad, deviled eggs and lemon bars.

Add:

• Beach Blankets
• Surfboards (or reasonable facsimiles)
• Beach balls
• Sand buckets
• Hawaiian shirts and bathing caps.
• Long lost naïveté

 
 

DISCO FEVER Might as well take it up a decade; I am a child of the 70's and I can't help it, I still love me some Funkytown. That's the way, uh-huh. uh-huh, I like it. Uh-huh, uh-huh. Disco is ideal for a pool party because it is so over the top its easy. The music, of course will be a disco play list never to be talked of again. Food - fondue. Stick meat, bread, marshmallows and whatever else you can think of in hot oil, hot cheese or melted chocolate. It's the 70's way.

Other ideas:

LED underwater lights will turn your entire pool into a disco. Glow sticks. Every where and on everybody. Tequila Sunrise cocktails.

Tequila Sunrise

• 3 oz. orange juice
• 1 1/2 oz tequila
• 1/2 ounce grenadine

Pour tequila and oj into tall glass over ice. Add grenadine, which will sink to the bottom. Do not stir. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

 NO THEMES NEEDED 

 

Other ideas to decorate; pool floats are a never ending source of inspiration. They come in so many unique shapes and sizes and they are usable too. Look for ice cream cones, donuts, swans, dolphins, sunflowers, emojis (wouldn't that be great for a teen party) and many others. Giant Inflatable Swan 

BALLOONS

Along with the aforementioned uses, balloons can be used to decorate tables, create arches; you can tie helium balloons to fishing line, add a weight and let them "rise" from the pool. The color of your balloons will set a mood as well; a pastel baby shower, all white for an evening soirée, neons for tweens, bright colors for a tropical feel.

FLOWERS AND FLOATIES

You can buy plastic floating flowers, floating flower candleholders, floating flower lights. You can also go the natural route and float fresh flowers in your pool.

LIGHTING

Lighting is always important when you are having a gathering; its no less important around the pool. String patio lights around or across the water; float candles in holders made from pool noodles, add lanterns, candles, tiki torches. Invest in some LED lighting that you can use again and again.  View Smart Lite

Hopefully this will get you thinking about your next pool party; and Pinterest is a never-ending source of inspiration of course.  

A FEW FINAL WORDS...

If your guests will be swimming, make sure you have extra towels and have sunscreen on hand.
Provide a place where they can change, if needed, in comfort and privacy.
Think about using recyclable plastic dinnerware; plates, bowls, forks, spoons, cups. You won't have to worry about breakage and clean up will be a lot easier.
If its a daytime party, make sure there is adequate room to get out of the sun; provide umbrellas or other shade options.
Have fun!

Blog Thumbnail Photograph by JENNY SIEGWART