Table of contents

• Introduction
• Bowling Party Invitations
• Bowling Design
• Bowling Poster
• Bowler Shirt
• Bowling Party Dress Code
• Bowling Party Decorations
• Bowling Party Guest Arrival & Announcement
• Bowling Party Favors
• Bowling Party Activities
• Blind Bowling
• Swimming Pool Bowling
• Beach Bowling
• Bowling Movie
• Food & Drink

Introduction

Time again for a party and no party better than a Bowling Party, especially if you are a fan of bowling. But then again, even if you are not, it still makes for an exciting event. Below you will find some tips to help you organize a successful Bowling Party, so be sure to take some notes.

Some 5200 years ago a young boy was laid to rest in a grave. This grave was in Egypt and would be discovered in 1930 by Sir Flinders Petrie, a British anthropologist. Aside from the dusty remains of the grave's young occupant, Sir Petrie also discovered a set of primitive balls and pins. This would form one of the most notable controversies surrounding the age of bowling as an activity but would also give rise to the idea that the ancient Egyptians were themselves expert bowlers.

Moving on to more recent times, however, we find that the earliest written accounts of bowling came from 14th century Britain, where King Edward III specifically forbade his troops to practice the game while they should be training their archery skills. And still staying within the British shores, we find that King Henry VIII used to bowl quite passionately - with cannon balls.

But by the most agreed-upon historical accounts, bowling was already a popular sport early in the previous millennium in a place we know today as Germany. It is in fact the German version of bowling, called "Kegelspiel" from which our ten-pin bowling stems. The two games would actually have been one and the same if it weren't for the banning of ninepin bowling lanes in Connecticut, 1841, in an attempt to curb gambling. As such, game enthusiasts circumvented the law by simply adding another pin.

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Bowling Party Invitations

Let’s get down to business by looking at a couple of ideas for bowling party invitations. While you’ll be able to make some of these in the comfort of your own home, others might just require a quick trip to your local sports supply or gift store to get the ball rolling. Just keep in mind, you’ll need to include the following information on your invitation:

• Party Name: Give your party a suitbale name, like “Jim’s Bowling Fiesta”.

• Salutation

• Date & Time

• Venue/Location

• Dress Code

• Contact Details

• Additional information…

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Bowling Design

Fancy yourself the creative type? Well then this invitation is especially for you! The Bowling Design will simply require you to make use of a computer loaded with the appropriate software as well as a printer. If you don't have either of these, just ask a friend if you can use theirs.

To start off, you will need to use a template for this design. This is to ensure that the layout is done correctly. Once you have your template, you will need to select an appropriate image for your invitation. Naturally this will have to keep in line with the bowling theme. In addition, you will want to ensure that the name of your party blends in with the entire design. For this you will need to use the appropriate font.

Once the front page of your design is finished, you will need to add the invitation details to the inside or flip side of the invitation. Remember to add some minor decorations here too as too much white space could throw the entire invitation off.

When you're finally done, print out one example just to see how it looks and carefully read through it in case you made any mistakes. Once you are happy with the entire invitation, print it out and get ready to deliver it to your friends.

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Bowling Poster

Similar to the Bowling Design, this invitation will require you to make use of a computer and a printer. Once again, if you don't have any of these two, you might want to ask a friend if you can make use of theirs. Also take care to note that not all printers have the ability to print on poster-sized paper. If this is the case, then you will be best served by getting in touch with your local printing firm and make use of their services.

Now as for the design of the poster, you will have to think in terms of a large image related to the Bowling theme

To start off, you will have to plan the design for your bowling party first. Planning includes deciding on the type of image or images you are going to use and where to place the text. Differences here include those posters that use a number of different images, where the text is the main aspect of the poster and then the inverse where the image is the main aspect of the poster and the text the secondary feature (like a movie poster). If you need help with these, why not make use of programs such as Adobe Indesign to help simplify the process?

When your poster is finally done, all that’s left to do is to have it printed out. Again, it would be best to print out a sample first to ensure that it is the way you imagined it to be (prints may sometimes differ from how they appear on screen). If all is well, simply send your order to the people responsible for printing.

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Bowler Shirt

Those who love bowling will know that a bowlers shirt, next to the bowling ball, is their pride and joy. And having your custom bowling short is even better.

For this invitation you will need to get your hands on a bowling short for each of your friends. These will need to be in the correct size (so be sure to get your friends' sizes first) and in a plain color. Next you will have to find someone who would either be able to print or embroider the details of your party onto the bowling shirt (along with the name of the recipient on the front).

Once everything is complete, just don your bowling outfit and get ready to deliver!

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Bowling Party Dress Code

For a Bowling Party there can only be one sort of dress code: A bowling uniform. Be sure to mention this under the “Dress Code” section of your invitation.

Bowling Party Decorations

There are typically two settings for a bowling party: a bowling alley and of course your home. Where the former requires no decorations, the latter will require some to encourage that bowling party atmosphere. Here are a couple of ideas:

• Strategically place bowling balls around the room where the party will be held.

• Do the same with bowling pins and remember to have a couple in the characteristic triangle.

• Posters of bowling legends are always a good idea to keep the party spirit rolling. Get them framed and hang them on the walls around the room.
  

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Bowling Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

As there are no set announcements for bowling parties, you’ll be able to make up your own. Here’s an example:

“Ladies and Gentlemen! Please welcome Mr. Gerald Hunter!”

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Bowling Party Favors

To ensure that your friends remember your party but also to say thanks for coming, you will have to put some thought into the party favors. Here are a couple of our ideas that you’ll be able to find at the appropriate retailers in your area or on the internet.

• Bowling balls

• Bowling balloons

• Streamers

• Posters

• Banners

• Ten-pin centerpieces

• Trophies

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Bowling Party Activities

Blind Bowling

Bowling isn't that easy, but it helps if you can see what you're doing. As such, to add a little spice to the event, have a blindfold ready for all those who wish to participate. This will mean that they will have to wear the blindfold until the ball leaves their fingers.

For some additional fun, add some extra elements to the competition: backwards bowling, monkey bowling, stiff leg bowling, etc.

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Swimming Pool Bowling

Water sports - most people love them. And when they get combined with other activities we usually enjoy on dry land, it gets even better. For this activity you will need to get your hands on some inflatable pins and a huge bowling ball made of plastic (inflatable) – these can all be bought from the appropriate retailer in your area or from the internet. And, needless to say, you will also need a swimming too.

Once you have all the items, it is a normal game of bowling, with the added water resistance and friends belaboring your efforts (though it's great fun nevertheless).

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Beach Bowling

For those living near the beach, this activity will ensure that your get to do what you love, at a place that you love.

To start off you will need a set of bowling pins and a bowling ball. For the former you can use empty plastic soft drink bottles and fill them with sand. For the latter you will need to go down to the supermarket and get your hands on a coconut which you will have to empty (by drilling a hole in it) before use.

Once everything is in place, it is a normal game of bowling - on the beach.

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Bowling Movie

After a long day of bowling and fun, it's time to kick up your feet and relax. And what better way to do so than by watching one of the many good bowling films out there. Titles that immediately pops to mind are "The Big Lebowski" and "Kingpin", though we're sure you know of many, many more.

Food & Drink

Foods:

• Nuts

• Chips

• Sandwiches

• Fajitas

• Tacos

• Hot dogs

• Chicken wings

• Crackers

• Salads

• Hamburgers

• Pizzas

• Pies

• Roast Beef

• Pasta

• Spanish Rice

Drinks

• Lemonade

• Sports Drinks

• Fruit Juices

• Sodas

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