The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything!

  My son who turned 9 this summer wanted a "Pirates Who Don't do Anything" themed birthday party. Um, o.k! 

  I love (love, love!) a themed party. There is charm and beauty in an un-themed party,  but my personality thrives on a theme. Instead of making it more stressful it actually helps me decide on foods, colours, etc. a lot easier. That's just me though.

A band of dastardly pirates on their ship!

    The most important part of a themed party, is to make sure the guests know about it! That way they can come prepared. If they don't come prepared though, just have a few things handy to let them use. In this case, I had made eye patches and cut out read and black cloth for kids to use if needed. The felt, elastic, and black and red fabric cost me all of $6 because I just rooted through the bargain bin at our local Fabric Land! 
  

Oma and Opa going all out on the theme!

 For decoration, I decided the obvious thing to do was to turn our front porch into a pirate ship! O.k, maybe that idea was a bit overboard (pun intended), but I really enjoyed doing it! And my kids thought it was so much fun for days leading up to the party (I did it about 5 days in advance just so it was ready). I just borrowed rope from my favourite antique guy in my area, filled up some old burlap sacks I had to look like sacks of food supply on the ship, and hung some lanterns I already owned. I used the extra fabric I had for pirate bandanas for tables clothes  

Food glorious food!

  And the best part-the food! We ate messy pirate food-chicken drumsticks, corn on the cob, baked beans, and some healthy veggies and dip. Oh, and chips. According to my husband,  it's not a party unless there are chips. Sheesh.

   Desert had 2 gluten free cakes (one made from brown rice Rice Crispie Squares), and the other from the g.f. cake mix from Well & Good called "Chocolate Mud Cake mix". For real, it is the best gluten free cake mix. I made the cake into a pirate ship (see post about the "Larry the Cucumber Cake" for how to make brown and black fondant).

    There was also some other dee-lish foods brought by my sister and mother-in-law, and I made a pirate ship watermelon as well that served as a fruit bowl. 
  

I got into the theme too, of course!

   It was a great day! It rained for a bit, but everyone just hopped onto the "pirate ship" to stay dry, and it was all good! 

   Have you thrown a great themed party? Tell  me how it went! 


Amy-Lyn