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Ahoy! It's time again to gather yer landlubber mateys and set sail for party land, where every minute is soaked with fun and laughter! And just to ensure that you and your friends have the times of your life, we've put together a couple tips and a little bit of information to help you along. But before we get started, a little bit more about our current topic.
Now like you may know, sailing a ship is a little different that driving, say, a car on land. A ship is influenced by a number of external factors such as the water below it and the air around it. It therefore makes sense that seamen will need different skills to successfully steer a ship from point A to point B. So what skills do you think are needed - knowledge of the currents and the seabed? Well, yes, but nowadays it takes a little more to be a sailor.
In the old days all sailors were required to know how to "hand", "reef" and steer ships so as to be able to avoid any nasty accidents happening if there wasn't anyone else capable of doing the same job. Although technology has now advanced quite far since the old day, sailors are still being taught the basics and are able to progress from normal seamen with menial tasks to proficient "able-bodied seamen", "petty officers", "rated seamen" or "mates". These titles differ depending on the locality of the sailor and its respective local institutions.
And that being said, it's time to
party! So get your notepad and your pen and start making some notes.
Below you will find some useful ideas
for Nautical Party invitations. Should you require any of the
materials or items necessary, just ask your parents to help by
purchasing them from a retail store in your area or from the
internet. And remember, including the following information in your
invitation will ensure that your guests will have all the information
they need.
Party Name: You'll want to give your Nautical party a very good name so that your friends will know that they are invited to one of the best in town! Think of something like “Captain Jake's Nautical Extravaganza”
Salutation
Date & Time
Venue/Location
Dress Code
Contact Details
Additional information…
To start off you will need a computer loaded with the appropriate software as well as a printer. If you don't have a printer just pop down to your local printing firm or just ask a friend.
We'd recommend the use of a template for this invitation as it will simplify the whole designing process. And to start with, you will have to find an appropriate nautical image for the front of your design. If you're stuck for ideas, just think in terms of those symbols we usually associate with a nautical theme: anchors, captain's wheels, captain's hat, the ocean, shells, sea gulls, crabs, etc. Once you have decided on your image, keep in mind that you will have to integrate the name of your party with it.
Finally all you will need to do is add
the details of your invitation on the inside or flip side of your
invitation and get ready to print it.
When sailors were marooned or stranded somewhere (even in the middle of the ocean without a mast) they usually used scribbled a note for help on a piece of parchment, rolled it up and placed it in a bottle and then sealed the bottle before throwing it into the sea. Their one solitary hope was that the current would carry the bottle to the shore where someone would find it.
For the purposes of this party you can design an invitation using your computer as described under the Nautical Design invitation. Keep in mind that it will have to be a tattered note, perhaps on parchment for added effect - so your design will have to be minimalistic with only a few decorations. Once done, have it printed on a laser jet printer and soak the invitations in black tea or coffee for a little aging effect. Let your invitations dry in the sun before rolling them up.
Now as for the bottle, you'll need to fill it with a bit of sea sand, some shells and perhaps even some fake seaweed. If you don't live near the ocean, have a look in the appropriate local store or even on line for the particular supplies.
Once done, simply slip the invitation
into the bottle and seal it with a bit of cork.
Pay a visit to your local toy store and pick up a couple of captain's hats - one for each of your friends that you wish to invite. Once you've done that, design an invitation to go along with the hats. For tips or ideas just have a look at our Nautical Design invitation.
When the invitations are finished, place the invitations inside the hat and get ready to deliver them.
Alternatively you can also have the details of the invitation embroidered onto to the top of the hat.
Now with a Nautical party you will
have to put in some thought with the dress code as it is vital to
know if you will be having a party for captains and admirals, or for
the whole crew, including the seamen. Whatever you decide, be sure to
state it under the 'dress code' section of your invitation (for
example “Nautical Captain” or just “Sailors”).
Here are a couple of decorations you
can use for your Nautical Party. While you can make some, it would
be best to ask your parents for help to buy the others in store or on
the internet.
Tiki Lamps
Life Preservers
Maritime Flags
Captain’s Wheels
Portholes
Miniature light houses
Anchors
Large Sea Shells
Fishing Nets
Life Boats
Anchors
Large Sea Shells
Fake Seaweed
Barometers
“Captain on deck!” - this is a
phrase that you or any of your fellow mates can use when someone
enters the party venue, regardless of whether they are a captain or
not. In addition, it might be a good idea to ensure that everyone is
introduced to those they don't know.
To ensure that your friends have
something to remember your Nautical party by, it is important to have
a couple of party favors at hand which they will be able to take with
them and use for whatever purpose. Below you’ll find a couple of
ideas which you and your parents can buy from a store in your area or
from the internet.
Key chains
Captain's Hat
Sailor's Pipe (like Popeye)
Compass
Oceanic Maps
Shells
Shell jewelery
There’s nothing like a good party
activity to ensure that a great time is had by all. Below are a
couple of ideas which you can use and change as you want to suit the
purposes of your party.
Well, what can we say? Not all ships are lucky enough to always stay afloat and sometimes a captain and his crew will suddenly find them stranded on some remote island – until help arrives, that is. So to pass the time they will have to think of something to do. And in this case it is beach bowling!
Now, for this activity you will need a
coconut – hollow or full, it doesn't matter. In addition to the
coconut, you will need about ten empty plastic bottles which you will
have to fill with sand. Once you have everything, you will need to
position the sand-filled bottles like bowling pins and get ready to
go bowling with your fellow stranded seamen!
Yet another activity for seamen that find themselves stranded on strange island is the limbo dance. Originally from the Caribbean, this dance is a fun activity that will test you and your friends' physical abilities.
The point of the limbo dance is to dance under the limbo stick without knocking it down. Now just in case you thought it was easy, think again. As soon as everyone has had a turn to dance under the limbo stick, the stick has to go a notch lower. The last person to knock down the limbo stick, wins.
To make a limbo set you will need three poles or sticks of equal length – say about 5 or 6 feet each. Two of the poles have to be driven into the ground, not too far from each other but with enough space for everyone to have a go. Additionally, each of the two poles have to have pegs or anything else for the horizontal third pole (the limbo stick) to rest on at exactly the same places.
Once that has been done, it's time to
start the music and go limbo dancing!
Traditionally we know pirates to be those continuously chasing after treasure. But then, pirates are seamen too.
Before the party starts, ask your
parents to hide a prize somewhere in the house or the venue and
devise some clues and a couple of maps (some of which are false).
These clues and maps should then be placed at random points in the
venue. Once everything is organized, all participants should divide
into to groups and get ready for a treasure hunt
Are you a real sailor or just a land lovin' man on board for a bit of a ride? Playing a game of “Captain Says” will quickly separate the true seamen from their terra firma counterparts.
Now, the game is exactly like “Simon Says”, but with the words changed to “Captain” says. And just in case you don't know how it works, here's a quick lesson:
One person has to be elected as captain. He or she then has to give orders to the crew members with the aim to try and catch them out. An example here would be:
“Captain Says jump on the spot!” - here everyone has to jump on the spot. Those who disobey should walk the plank!
“Captain Says touch your feet” - again, everyone must touch their feet.
“Clap
your hands” - those who clap are out, because the captain didn't
say.
As for food and
drink you can well guess that seamen ate pretty much the same foods
as we do. So to make things interesting, give the dishes you eat some
special names. Here are a couple of examples:
Davy Jones' Leaves – A seafood salad
The Rotten Barnacle – An extra large burger with a blue cheese sauce
Sailors Breakfast – French fries served with mayonnaise
End of the World – A delicious pizza smothered in a number of cheeses

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