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 Michelle Pierre is a freelance writer and Registered Dietitian. Michelle writes comedic essays from a mother’s point of view at www.betweenthecushions.com. She has been designing crafts and party planning for many years. Some of her creations can be seen on her Facebook site, Lucia Grace Bowtique. She can be reached at designsbymichellepierre@gmail.com |
| To many people the warm weather translates into sand, surf, and sunshine. A beach themed party is the perfect way to ease into the laid back summer months. For my fun loving daughter’s seventh birthday she requested “a cool beach party with beach balls, surf boards, flamingos and sharks.” In that order. Since I love when party decorations are purposeful I took her ideas and strategically placed boogie boards and beach balls throughout the party. A lei adorned number 7 cut from sturdy cardboard made a fabulous tropical decoration. Whatever your party theme the birthday person’s age decorated with coordinating novelties is always a good call and has become a tradition in our family. All you need is a bit of hot glue. Drink umbrellas, Hawaiian leis and shells are easy inexpensive ways to dress up the area. You can also use food as a decoration. Serve snacks in beach buckets. Carve out a watermelon to use as an edible centerpiece. To make a shark begin by outlining a sideways V where the mouth will be. Slice through the watermelon with a sharp knife, scoop out the middle using a melon baller and cut out little triangles for the top and bottom teeth.The mouth piece will then be cut into a triangle large enough for the fin and adhered to the back with a kebob stick. A blackberry stuck to the top side of the watermelon will make a fierce shark’s eye. Fill the mouth with the melon balls and assorted fruits. A simpler option which still adds to the tropical flair of the party is to carve out a watermelon and use as a punch bowl. Another item to include to your display is a couple of jazzed up pineapples. Brightly painted leaves dressed up with cute sunglasses make for a cool pineapple display. Ice pops are synonymous with summer so it’s sort of a necessity at a beach or pool party. Kids adore ice pops but moms don’t love the high fructose corn syrup and dyes. Serve your own fruit juice ices. Include pieces of cut up fruit, drinkable yogurt and a touch of vegetable juice to make a healthy and natural frozen treat. If your child runs from the slightest morsel of a healthy food, entice them by throwing a few gummy sharks into the mix. Finally frozen banana bites dipped in chocolate and covered in bits of strawberries, shredded coconut or sprinkles are enjoyed by kids and adults alike. The only thing left to do is to crank up the Beach Boys while the kids swim and dance under the limbo stick. |
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