General Question

chad's avatar

I'm throwing a themed-party. Now, where to start?

Asked by chad (694points) September 12th, 2008

I’m in the very early planning stages of throwing a pirate-themed party at my house, and aside from the guest list, I have no idea where to start with decorations and other things of that matter. I have an idea of taking beer bottles and putting individual invites in them and handing them out in person to my friends, which I think would be pretty neat.

I guess my question is this: are there any reliable and fun websites to look at for inspiration, or to even buy decorations from? If so, please, list all that you know of!

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10 Answers

bodyhead's avatar

You could actually buy stickers and print your piratey invite on them. Then you could replace the beer label with your pirate label and give your friends a full cold beer with an invite on them. Neat.

(You know, like a 4” by 4” blank sticker or something)

Nimis's avatar

There’s that really cheesy catalogue, Oriental Trading.

Lookie here…there’s even a pirate themed party section: link

MarcIsMyHero's avatar

being that halloween is coming decorations are readily available…although i often like thinking outside the box when it comes to decorating. places like craft and fabric stores are great resources. also vintage clothing and antique shops. make it a group effort. when i have thrown large parties, especially with themes, i find it more fun and a huge relief of stress if i delegate work to my close friends. put one person in charge of lighting, another in charge of finding nets and fabrics to hang that will give the place a shipwreck feel, another friend can come up with a signature cocktail for the party (pirate theme means it should be rum based), another friend can try to find fake rats or parrots or a bucket of fish…whatever. invite a few friends over first and watch some pirate movies for inspiration!

Les's avatar

Yargh. First ye find yerself a crew of fifty of the finest friends ye be having (no scallywags!) Then you tell these friends, if they be friends of yours, to bring buckets of their finest grog and let the festivities begin!

Good Lord. Help me.

Judi's avatar

Just don’t forget the pirate laws!
A pirate does not ask for directions. He relies only on his gut feeling, a compass, or a treasure map.

Parrots are the preferred pirate companion. Monkeys are an acceptable substitute, unless they fling their feces at people. Then they are an awesome substitute.

When fishing, a pirate uses either a sword, a knife, or his bare hands. Use of a hook is only acceptable in the event the pirate is missing a hand.

Pirates shall always wear boots, except in the case of a peg leg. Then one boot is acceptable. Flip-flops are right out.

Pirates do not cry, except in the case of the loss of a shipload of rum.

When describing the size of a treasure, a pirate is required to exaggerate by at least 130%. Flowers are not treasure under any circumstances, unless said flowers are made out of gold.

A pirate shall never wear lipstick, nail polish, or capri pants. Actually, that kinda goes without saying.

No pirate shall discuss his feelings, unless his feelings include gutting a man from stem to stern and spilling his entrails.

A pirate should always remove his hat in the presence of a bartender.

During a swordfight, swordfighting insults are required. In the event both participants are still alive at the end of the fight, the participant with the superior insults shall be declared the victor.

No pirate shall ever wear a “fanny pack”.

All foods prepared by a pirate must include rum, grog, or beer. Boone’s and other “Wench Punch” is prohibited.

A pirate may never compliment another pirate on the softness of his hands.

No pirate shall wear a bracelet or a necklace, unless it is the tooth or tusk of an animal he killed. If in the presence of cannibals, a necklace is acceptable camouflage, but only if said necklace is made of human toes.

Pirate Law: Dousing oneself in beer is a perfectly acceptable replacement for a shower.

No pirate shall drink Grog out of a glass. Grog is only to be consumed either straight from the barrel, or from a mug heavy enough to to kill a man.

Three-cornered hats, headbands and bandanas are the only acceptable headwear for pirates. Fedoras, bowler derbies, baseball caps, mickey ears, top hats, sombreros, or anything with lace and flowers will be removed from the vessel—head included. A grace period of one minute is allowed for hats looted from a tailory.

A pirate shall never wrap presents. The only thing a pirate gives is a bludgerin’.

Pirate Law: A pirate does not use the word “Fabulous”. Ever.

No pirate shall attend a movie with less than an Arrrr rating.

Only a pirate is capable of killing another pirate. If you are not a pirate (let’s say a ninja) and wish to challenge a pirate, they have a word for that. Corpse.

Pirate Law: “ARRRRRRRRRRR…” is a perfectly acceptable answer to any question.

A pirate does not “go shopping”. Unless by “shopping”, you mean “killing”.

Peglegs must be made of timber or some other suitable wood. Plastic, ceramic, porcelain, or metal peglegs are utterly unnacceptable, simply because it complicates the use of the phrase “shiver me timbers”.

Real pirates have chest hair. If you cannot grow chest hair, you may be a cabin boy.

Under no circumstances is a comb-over an acceptable pirate hairdo.

No pirate may ever change his shirt because it is “wrinkled”. A pirate may only change his shirt if it is completely soaked in blood.

When drinking, Pirates may sing. “Fifteen Men on a Dead Man’s Chest” is preferred. Kelly Clarkson songs are not allowed.

No pirate shall ever drive a minivan, unless he drives the minivan into a tavern, for the purposes of looting barrels of rum from said tavern. Upon completion of this task, the minivan is to be burned. No exceptions.

No matter how hard it is raining, two pirates may never share an umbrella. Pirates do not fear rain.

If circumstances demand a career change, a move into real estate brokerage or tax collection shall be considered a lateral move and said individual may keep their pirate status.

A pirate does not snuggle with an animal, unless he is trying to snap its neck. But I guess that wouldn’t really be “snuggling”.

A pirate may never wear another man’s clothing, unless he first kills that man.

Two pirates must never share a bed or a hammock. It is perfectly acceptable for one pirate to sleep on the floor, or on a pile of treasure.

Pirates do not wear eyeglasses or bifocals unless they are looking at a treasure map, and even then they are allowed only a monacle. Any comments about “Mr. Peanut” while wearing the monacle are prohibited.

When setting out on a voyage, a pirate does not pack a suitcase. He is only to bring what he can carry under his arms, or what his wench can carry on her back.

A pirate does not mow the lawn. Lawns are for landlubbers.

Lifting or removing one’s eyepatch is extremely impolite but is not considered an insult. It’s just kinda gross. Likewise, one should never remove another pirate’s eyepatch, except with a sword to the face.

Pirates never use the words “fresh” or “feelings,” and certainly not together (as in “I have that not-so-fresh feeling”).

A pirate must never visit a tanning salon. If he is not already tan enough from searching for treasure, he hasn’t been searching hard enough.

While creativity is encouraged during any barfight or battle at sea, pirates may only use the following types of sword; falchions, scimitars, rapiers, and particularly long knives. Katanas or any other Ninja sword are strictly forbidden, unless the Pirate rips off a Ninja’s arm and hurls the arm, and attached Katana, as a projectile.

No pirate shall ever sit on a toilet seat, for any reason.

Kidnapping is an acceptable substitute for killing, but only if it is for the purpose of plank walking at a later time.

When swimming, pirates do not dive. They cannonball.

Cannoneers aboard a pirate vessel are not allowed to use hearing protection of any sort. No matter what the OSHA regulations say, if ye can’t stand bleedin’ from the ears, you have no business being a Pirate.

A pirate will never wear a patch that is any other color than black; unless it’s halloween. then they can wear a patch with an eyeball painted on the outside. Polka dots are not permitted under any circumstances.

Female pirates are allowed some exception to rules concerning hygiene and garmentry, but must make up for it by using twice as much profanity.

Hooks are the only acceptable hand substitute. However, they may not have secondary attachments such as screwdrivers, bottle openers, corkscrews, or nail files. These are Pirates we’re talking about, not Inspector Gadget.

A pirate’s diet consists mainly of meat. If at sea, and meat is not available, shoe leather is an acceptable replacement.

Pirate Law: You can’t spell pirate, without “irate”. There’s a reason for that, so don’t even try.

No pirate will ever, ever raise his pinky when drinking any sort of beverage.

Pirate Law: When choosing clothing, even if it looks dirty, or smells dirty, it is clean.

A pirate may ride in a rowboat, if traveling to or from his ship. Use of a Kayak is only permitted if used for cannon target practice.

When drinking rum, the only thing a pirate adds to the rum is more rum.

The official Pirate religion is Pastafarianism.

No pirate shall ever play wiffle ball.

Under no circumstances does a pirate speak with a Ninja, unless he first decapitates that Ninja and uses his head like a sock puppet.

When at the office, answering the telephone with “Arrrrrrr” is perfectly acceptable for pirates. Other acceptable choices are “Avast!”, and “Ahoy Matey!”

A Pirate does not read poetry, unless said poetry is scrawled on the wall of a bathroom.

All women are to be referred to as wenches, with the exception of female Pirates, who can be referred to as “lass”.

Pirates do not clean up, except when gold falls out of a treasure chest.

Spilling rum is not acceptable, except in the act of “pouring some out for dead mateys”.

A pirate may tell any tale of swashbuckling without being called on the details, as long as at least 51% of the story is true.

A pirate may never shave below the neck. Shaving above the neck is allowed, but only if the pirate shaves his entire head. In the presence of cannibals, a mohawk is acceptable.

No pirate may do the arm movements for “YMCA”, or engage in country-western line-dancing.

Pirates do not say “please” or “thank you”. The phrase “Arrr, I’ll probably kill you tomorrow” is an acceptable alternative for “Thank you”.

Should the ship’s bow have a carving of a naked wench, mermaid, or something of the like, crew members should not touch it. Feeling up a wooden statue is unbecoming of a pirate.

Pirates do not “IM”. The only instant message allowed is a sword through the chest.

Dental Hygiene for Pirates is not a priority. Should there be occasion, however, strong rum or salt water can be used as mouthwash. Anything “minty fresh” is strictly forbidden.

Pirates never, ever obey laws. Period. Ironic, I realize.

And finally, How do you know if you are a pirate? You just “Arrrrrrrr”...

augustlan's avatar

Costume/Halloween shops online would also be a good place. Skulls work equally well for Halloween and pirates!

FrancisRude's avatar

OH, Give aways would be small PACKETS OF TYLENOL AND CHASER PLUS. :)

marinelife's avatar

A treasure hunt—buried treasure—complete with maps might make for a fun activity. I love your idea of the invite being a message in a bottle. Get some corks to put in the bottles. Also, maybe replace the label with a skull and cross bones (easy enough on self-stick labels).

Judi's avatar

check out oriental.com for great decorating and give away ideas. You can get pirates treasure, hats and even blow up palm trees!

cyndyh's avatar

Here is a site that not only a cool pirate site, but the store also supports a great cause.

I hope your party is on Friday. You do know that Friday is Talk Like a Pirate Day. Don’t you?

I like a lot of the suggestions above, but I have a big rule to add. There should be some Jimmy Buffett music. It’s a perfect day for all those songs about piracy, the sea, and sailing. Not to mention drinking.

So have a Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Arrrrrgh!

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