Categories
Basketball Party
Table of contents
- Introduction
- Basketball Party Invitations
- Basketball Party Dress Code
- Basketball Party Decorations
- Basketball Party Guest Arrival & Announcement
- Basketball Party Favors
- Basketball Party Activities
- Food & Drink
Introduction
Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Adrian Dantley all have one thing in common, aside from some impressive career stats. They were some of the best basketball players in the NBA.
Yes ladies and gentleman, our themed party is on the topic of basket ball and we're here to give you a couple of pointers (pun intended) on setting up court for an event that will be sure to let the giants come out in your guests. But first, a little background on the sport of basketball.
Basketball was the creation of Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian and a physical education professor at McGill University in Montréal. He was also an instructor at the YMCA Training School which is today known as Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was here that Dr. Naismith tried to come up with an activity that would enable his students to stay indoors during the winter but still enable them to keep fit. After considering many ideas, he finally decided to fasten a peach basket at the top of a 10ft pole and wrote basic rules for the game we know today. Strangely enough, however, basket ball rules back then were based on a children's game called "Duck on a Rock".
The object of basketball is quite straight forward. A game consists of two teams, with five active players each at all times, trying to score as much points as possible by shooting the ball through a hoop. The team with the most points at the end of the game, wins.
Basketball Party Invitations
Inviting guests to your party should be as easy as Michael Jordan’s slam dunk if you use a bit of creativity to lure your potential guests. Below you’ll find a couple of proven ideas that you can use and elaborate upon to create your invitations.
The Basketball Design
By far the easiest and cheapest way to create a stunning basketball design is to do it yourself with nothing else but a computer, the appropriate software and of course a printer. Should you not own a printer, just pop down to your local printing firm with your design and they’ll be able to help you out.
First off you’ll have to get your hands on a basketball image of your choice. This can be anything from clipart to the image of your favorite team or player. To add a bit of a twist to the whole event, group your guests into different teams and create their cards accordingly. This will be important when you instruct them on the dress code.
Remember to include the following text on your invitation:
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Party Name: This will typically go on the front of your invitation along with your image or any other place you see fit. An example of a party name will be “Dean’s Slam Dunk Affair”, “Dean’s Hoop Party” or simply “Dean’s Basketball Party”
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Salutation: An example would be “’Sup Michael & Cindy!” or “Dear Michael & Cindy”
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Date & Time
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Venue/Location
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Dress Code: Remember, if you wish your guests to come as the member of a certain team, you’ll have to specify it here. But, just to make sure everyone will have a good time, it will be good to confirm this with them first.
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Contact Details
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Additional info: If you want to supply your guests with any additional information, do so here.
Once your invitation is finished, get it printed. As this is set to be a NBA-scale party, it would be best to invest in some glossy or matted paper.
The Miniature Basketball
Miniature basketballs are good for two reasons:
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They can be used indoors (under certain conditions).
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They make fine ornaments.
As such, this basketball party invitation requires that you get the appropriate amount of basketballs from your local sports retailer or from the internet. Once you have them, simply write the details of your invitation on the basketball. And, to add that star-player effect, remember to sign the back in an appropriate style.
The Replica Vest
If you would like your guests to come as members of a certain team (after checking with them), why not get your hands on the appropriate replica vests. Again, these are easy to find, either on the internet or at your local sports retailer. Once you have them, either write your party invitation on the back or, for those with the means to do so, have it printed on.
Should you not wish to have the invitation written or printed on the vest, simply create a small paper invitation (in the same way as listed under “The Basketball Design” above) and attach it as a label or a separate invitation.
Basketball Party Dress Code
As this is a basketball party, your guests will need little instruction on what to wear. Though just to be on the safe side, make sure to specify the dress code in your invitation. In some cases this might simply be the obligatory basketball vest or, for the basketball aficionados, everything from the sweatband down to the sneakers.
Basketball Party Decorations
For those who need a little help with basket ball decorations, here are a couple of ideas that you’ll be able to use to set the mood for the ultimate hoop party:
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Life size & Miniature basketball hoops.
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Portraits of basketball legends.
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Replica signed & framed basketball vests.
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Basketball banners & flags.
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Basketball poufs that your guests will be able to sit on.
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A DVD of a number of great basketball games (though to enable your guests to talk to each other, keep the sound on mute).
Basketball Party Guest Arrival & Announcement
Announcing your guests as they arrive should provide some entertainment as you’ll temporarily be playing the role of the public address announcer. If you requested your guests to be dressed like basketball stars, announce their names and stats to the other guests as they arrive. Here’s an example:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Basketball Party Arena for the NBA All-Star party of the year! Introducing the starting lineup for the West… starting shooting guard, Michael Jordan standing tall at 6ft 6in from Chicago.”
This announcement can be used for both NBA players as well as WNBA players and should be adapted to include your guests’ names, heights and city of residence.
Basketball Party Favors
When deciding on basketball party favors, be sure to get your guests something they can either use or that will remind them in the months and years to come of your party. Here are a couple of ideas that you’ll be able to get from your local sportswear retailer or from the internet.
If you haven’t given your guests the miniature basketball as an invitation, why not give it as a party favor? In this case you wouldn’t need to add all the details of the party, just the party name, the date and, of course, your signature.
Additional basketball party favors include a the basketball vest (if you haven’t done so with the invitation) or basketball videos and DVDs.
Basketball Party Activities
This is by far the best part of the evening! Here are a couple of ideas which you can use and elaborate on to ensure that the whole evening is filled with fun and excitement!
Basketball!
It’s a basketball party and as such the obligatory game of traditional basketball must be played. Simply divide your guests into two groups and let the games begin! Oh, and do remember to appoint a referee too.
Musical Basketball
This game is almost like musical chairs, but with a difference. Have your guests form a circle so that they are standing a few feet apart. Once you have a perfectly formed circle, start some music. As the music continues, a basketball – either regulation size or miniature – has to be passed from guest to guest, in any direction. As the song ends or if the music is paused by someone outside the circle, the person who currently has the ball is out of the circle. Also take note that if someone drops the ball or misses a catch, that person is out too.
Keep going until there are only two people – the one who doesn’t have the ball when the music is finally stopped, is the winner.
Basketball Quiz
Do your guests know their basketball trivia? Test them! Get your hands on a basketball trivia set and divide your guests into teams. Be sure to put those with a good knowledge of the game with those who might not know so much to ensure that all sides are equal. This will not only provide some great entertainment, but also ensure that your guests leave with an intimate knowledge of the game.
Classic Slam Dunk!
For this activity you’ll need a regulation size basketball as well as a regulation size hoop. The purpose of the game is to reenact those most awesome of basketball moves performed during important games by various basketball legends. You can also make the game a bit more interesting by reenacting the particular move and then asking your guests to guess who it was and during which game it was performed.
Food & Drink
As we all know, basketball players have to keep in peak condition and therefore follow a very strict diet. But as this is your party, you can serve those foods that your guests will enjoy. Here are a couple of foods, ranging from those enjoyed by professional basketball players before a game to those, well, that they might indulge in when the next game is a couple of days off.
Slam Salad
Give your guests the lift they need by preparing a salad of your choice. This does not only refer to leafy green salads, but also pasta salads as well as potato salads. These are rich in carbohydrates and will soon have your guests dribbling around the room.
The Risotto Pass
This dish mainly consists of rice cooked with broth and sprinkled with cheese. The healthiness of this dish depends on the ingredients you use, so be sure to get your hands on a recipe you know will give your guests that All-Star buzz.
Basketball Burger
Who says basketball players don’t eat burgers? For many of the top players it features as one of their favorite foods!
There are many recipes for burgers and their mouthwatering sauces available, both in cookbooks and on the internet. Surprise your guests with a couple of variations on the topic that you know they haven’t had before.
The Dribbler’s Pizza
Everyone likes pizza! In fact, for many it’s part of their staple diet. If you can’t make them at home, simply order them a couple of minutes before you and your guests decide to eat.
For those who like a challenge, find yourself a good recipe on the internet to amaze your guests with. There are plenty available, so be sure to pick those that you know will give your guests that cheesy lift!
Snacks & Drinks
Whether you choose to provide your guests with salads or burgers, risottos or pizzas, it is always a good idea to have a couple of snacks strategically placed around the room. These can include anything from chips to finger snacks.
And in addition to the snacks, ensure that your guests have enough to drink. Typical basketball drinks are pretty limited to sports drinks and water, so be sure to stock some beer, liquor, etc., for those guests who fancy themselves more among the managers and coaches instead of players.