Table of contents

• Introduction
• Nautical Theme Party Invitations
• Nautical Design
• Nautical Postcard
• Miniature Anchor Invitation
• Nautical Theme Party Dress Code
• Nautical Theme Party Decorations
• Nautical Theme Party Guest Arrival & Announcement
• Nautical Theme Party Favors
• Nautical Theme Party Activities
• Beach Volleyball
• Limbo
• Truth or Dare
• Beach Bowling
• Food & Drink

Introduction

Time again for a party and none other (and none better) than a nautical-themed party. Below you will find all the info you need to organize the successful event. But before we get to that, a couple of things you may not have known about the ocean.

• Our planet's surface is covered with 71% of ocean which contains more than 97% of all the water.
  

• The average depth of the ocean is about 2.5 miles.
  

• Think the mountains on land are high? Well, the deepest point in the ocean can hold Mt. Everest and then there would still be a mile of water between its highest peak and fresh air.
  

• The longest mountain range is not on the surface, it's below water and more than 40, 000 miles long.
  

• Antarctica has as much ice as the Atlantic ocean has water.
  

• The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on earth! And thinking about big things, did you know that the blue whale's heart is as big as a Volkswagen?
  

• Unfortunately the oceans are being destroyed due to land based pollution (80% of all ocean pollution) and over fishing (almost all fisheries).
  

And that being said, it's time to get going with our party organization!

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Nautical Theme Party Invitations

There are as many variations on the nautical party theme as there types of sailors in the world. For the purpose of our party, however, we’ll be looking at those invitations with general elements related to the nautical lifestyle that you’ll be able to buy in any store that stocks nautical merchandise.

Be sure to include the following information in your invitations so that your guests will be well-informed:

• Party Name:

• Salutation:

• Date & Time

• Venue/Location

• Dress Code

• Contact Details

• Additional information…
  

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Nautical Design

To make this invitation you will need a computer loaded with the appropriate software and a printer. If you don't have a printer, then you will have to pay a visit to your local printing store or ask someone who does have one if you can use theirs. In addition, we'd recommend using a template for the design of this invitation. these can be found in most word processors or online, usually free of charge.

Keeping our Nautical theme in mind, you will have to find some appropriate images for the front page section of your template. If you are planning to use the internet as a source, do make sure that you have the necessary permission to download these images. Once you have them, place them onto the template and arrange them appropriately. If they don't fit or don't exactly look like you want them to, then you might wish to use a program like Adobe Photoshop or The Gimp (free) to edit them and ply them with the necessary effects.

When that's done, you will need to pay attention to the details of your Nautical party. This usually comes on the inside r the flip side of the invitation.

Once the entire invitation is done, simply print out a sample to see if it looks like you want it to.

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Nautical Postcard

Back in the old days, sailors used to send their loved ones and families from ports afar. As such, this will be the unique opportunity for you to surprise your guests with a postcard invitation.

For this you only need a computer connected to the internet and loaded with the appropriate software (such as image editing suites and word processors). In addition, you will need a couple of blank postcards and of course a printer capable of printing on postcards. If you don't have one, then be sure to get in touch with your local printing store and make use of their services.

Now, as you can imagine, you will have to design a suitable image for the front of your postcard. This can be virtually anything, but will have to keep in line with the Nautical theme. Once this has been done, you will have to tend to the back of the postcard - where the text will come. Now you will have to list the details of your party here but if you can manage the space, then a short personal message too.

When that's done and your design looks good on screen, then it's time to have it printed. Do note that it will be best to print a sample first to ensure that it looks as you inteded it too. If it does, then print away, apply your stamps and get ready to deliver!

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Miniature Anchor Invitation

Quite a simple invitation to put together, but one that requires a slight budget - the miniature anchor invitation is one that your friends will enjoy and may have a use for.

To start off, you will need to get your hands on a miniature anchor for each of your friends. These can be bought at appropriate local retailer or from the internet. Once you have that, it's simply a question of making or buying an invitation card to go with the miniature anchor.

Combine the card and the miniature anchor and get ready to deliver!

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Nautical Theme Party Dress Code

As for dress code, you need only state “Nautical” under the appropriate section, or even Popeye & Olive if that’s what you are aiming for. But if you are going for the true modern nautical theme, here’s what the dress code should look like:

Men:

A white v-neck t-shirt

Or

a horizontally thick striped (only two colors: white and blue/red/black) t-shirt

Or

a white short-sleeved collared shirt.

In all instances white trousers. While captains wear matching white formal shoes, sailors wear the appropriate deck shoes.

Women:

Collared short sleeved shirts with matching skirts and flat-heeled shoes. But for the purposes of your party, anything can go.

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Nautical Theme Party Decorations

Have a look at the appropriate retailer in your area or on the internet for some of the following ideas to add to your decorations:

• Maritime Flags

• Captain’s Wheels

• Portholes

• Fishing Nets

• Fake Anchors

• Large Sea Shells

• Tiki Lamps

• Life Preservers

• Fake Seaweed

• Barometers

• Miniature light houses

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Nautical Theme Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

What’s the one thing we know all sailors do? Salute! As such, await your fellow crew members at the front door and give them a hearty salute as they arrive. Also take care to introduce them to one another should they not know one another.

Nautical Theme Party Favors

Have a look at the appropriate retailer in your area or on the internet for the following party favors:

• Key rings (miniature ship’s wheels, anchors, etc.)

• Miniature life preservers

• T-shirts

• Sailor hats

• Calendars

• Stationary

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Nautical Theme Party Activities

Beach Volleyball

Sailors didn’t spend all their time at sea. When the ship needed some repair work, they were often found on the beach, idling away the time. Though if they had the opportunity for some beach volleyball, you can be sure they would have done it!

All you’ll need for this is a net and the required volleyball. Both of these can be bought from any sports retailer or even online. When it’s time for the activity, divide into teams and get ready to play!

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Limbo

Sailors of old sailed all over the Caribbean and encountered a strange dance that proved to be loads of fun!

First off you will need three sticks or poles. These need to be about five or six feet in length. Once you have the sticks or poles, you will need to affix pegs to two of them at exactly the same places every couple of inches. The third stick is the limbo stick and can be decorated as you wish.

Finally, put on some music and dance under the limbo stick! Each guest gets to make one pass under the limbo stick by bending over backwards (while dancing). As soon as all the guests have made a pass, move the limbo stick down one notch, and let everyone go again.

The winner is that person capable of dancing under the limbo stick the lowest.

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Truth or Dare

It’s a game of Truth or Dare and none better to while away the time while waiting for the wind to come up or for the fish to bite (whatever your nautical profession may be).

As such, here’s how you play the game:

Start by getting as many scraps of paper as there will be guests. On half of the amount of pieces of paper, write "Truth" and on the other half "Dare". When that's done, you have to write the name of a guest on a piece of paper. Do this until all the pieces of paper have either "truth" or "dare" and the name of a guest. When that's done, you will need to put each piece of paper into a separate balloon which you then inflate afterwards.

When all the preparation is done and it's time for the game, each guest will have to pick a balloon and, when it's their turn, pop it to reveal the person they have to "Truth" or "Dare". Now if someone pulls out a piece of paper with a dare on, they have to dare (within reason) the person whose name is on the other side to do something they thing that person wouldn’t normally do (which the person must then do). If there is a truth, the person that drew the paper has to ask the person whose name is on the back of the piece of paper a question – any question – which that person then has to answer.

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Beach Bowling

Stuck on an island with nothing to do? Then what about a spot of beach bowling? For this you will need a hollowed-out coconut and ten empty plastic soda bottles filled with sand.

When it’s time for the activity to start, arrange the soda bottles in the tenpin triangle, measure a distance from them and get ready to bowl!

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Food & Drink

If you’ve done any reading on ancient maritime literature, you’ll know that the crew of a ship often only stocked flour, rice and those items that could be cured such as beef. Oh, and barrels of fresh water.

Luckily, however, times have changed and sailors are able to enjoy the same foods as everyone else. For that reason you’ll be able to serve normal foods, but ensure that you supply it with an nautical name. Here are a couple of examples:

• Crusoe’s Salad – A seafood salad

• Bluebeard’s Chest – An extra large burger with a blue cheese sauce

• Sailor’s Breakfast – French fries served with mayonnaise

• Map to the End of the World – A delicious pizza smothered in a number of cheeses

And as for drinks, well, hardened old seadogs preferred their ales, whiskeys and rum. Be sure to stock a variety of drinks that all your guests will be able to enjoy.

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