The Olympics are a perfect reason to throw a party! Not only do you get to hang out with your family and friends, you also get to celebrate and cheer on Team USA. The summer 2012 Olympics take place in London this year, with the opening ceremonies on July 27th. Here are some tips to host an Olympic-themed party that will have everyone in a gold medal party mood.
"Official" Olympic Food
Think fish and chips, pub
grub, beer and hard cider in honor of the UK's most traditional cuisine
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| Fish & Chips |
Olympic Cocktail Recipes
Gold Medal Cocktail
Makes 1 serving Ingredients: 1 shot Goldschlager cinnamon schnapps
1/2 glass chilled apple cider
1 shot caramel liqueur Directions: Pour Goldschlager schnapps in a cocktail glass. Fill the glass almost to the top with apple cider and top off with a shot of caramel liqueur.
Silver Medal Cocktail
Makes 1 serving Ingredients: Edible silver powder (available at bakery/cake decorating outlets)
2 ounces Malibu Coconut Rum
2 ounces seltzer water
Splash of fresh lime juice
Lime wedge Directions: 1. Sprinkle silver powder on the bottom of a martini glass to coat the bottom. Shake together the remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into silver-coated martini glass. The silver powder should float to the top. Sprinkle with extra powder to deepen color and garnish with lime wedge.
Bronze Medal Cocktail
Makes 1 serving Ingredients: Edible bronze powder (available at bakery/cake decorating outlets)
1 1/2 ounces Kahlua
2 ounces Monte Cristo
1/2 ounces Grand Marnier
Coffee beans Directions: Sprinkle bronze powder on the bottom of a martini glass to coat the bottom. Shake together the remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into bronze-coated martini glass. The bronze powder should float to the top. Sprinkle with extra powder to deepen color and garnish with coffee beans.
Fun Dessert Ideas the kids will love
Simply buy a box of plain donuts. Make a simple sugar frosting, add food coloring to make different frostings in the official colors of the Olympic rings. Kids of all ages will love it.
Music
Browse your favorite music store or Itunes.com for Olympic CD compilations or search the web for downloadable audio files including the Olympic Hym, Chariots of Fire and other favorites.Olympic Decorations
Olympic flags and rings: Hang flags from around the world on your walls, banisters, or railings, being sure to have the American flag as a centerpiece to support the home team! In addition, hang a large cutout of the Olympic rings on the wall.
Olympic greats: Print and frame photos of Olympic legends and today's current star athletes and see if your guests can identify them.
Olympic tableware: Make a large 3-D Olympic torch out of Styrofoam and use it as a centerpiece on your buffet table. Use sports and Olympic themed paper plates and partyware (for easy clean up) and serve your beverages in red, white and blue glasses to show your home team support.
Olympic gold medals: Hang Olympic gold medals around the party area and set them on the tables. At the end of the evening, use them as prizes to give out to the guests who participate in the Olympic-themed party games.
Olympic sports banners: Hang banners representing different sports events around the party space and design games and activities relating to those particular sporting events.
Olympic Games and Activities
To get even more in the mood, during the commercials or before the night begins, host your own mini Olympic games.
Clear a large space: Clear a large area indoors or hold them in a spacious area outside to avoid injuries. Simulate track and field and gymnastics events and give out gold medals to the winners. If you have a pool, pool games can be played as well. Improvise: To simulate shot put, use a softball (being sure to have a very large area to throw). For javelin, use a pool noodle instead of a real javelin. You can also make your own hurdles out of a few pieces of glued Styrofoam or wood. Make sure they are low enough to avoid injurious crashes.
Friendly competition: To create a gymnastics area, lay down a large mat and have a selection of music for your guests to choose from. Have each guest create their own routine with dance moves and tumbling. Have the rest of your guests be the judges.
The easy games: If you are not in the mood for strenuous activities, have an Olympic trivia session and give out gold medal chocolates to the winners.
View a full Olympic Schedule here.
Sources:
sheknows.com
chiff.com
