I moved the August giveaway yet again (to tomorrow!) because duh! SHARK WEEK! It starts tomorrow! And if you know anything about me, you know that I basically live for shark week! It's a religion in our house. Mike and I threw a Shark Week premier party in 2011 and we've been itching to do it again ever since. I was out of town last year (but still caught the premier at a bar with my best friend in Indianapolis... dedication!) and this year we're 2 hours away from all of our friends. I'm thinking 2014 will mark the return of the Flynn's Shark Week party... yeah? Who's coming?!
Since we can't whip up a big to-do this year, we're planning on celebrating in our own way. Just the three of us and some snacks. Can't really argue with that! I wanted to share my tips on throwing the best shark-inspired bash, that way YOU can celebrate the greatest animal to ever live! ;)
The food and drink at any party is crucial. But when you're talking shark theme, you really need to theme it up!
A few handy things we always have on hand for Shark Week include:
A few handy things we always have on hand for Shark Week include:
1. Goldfish crackers!
2. Swedish fish (I'm totally not a fan of the taste, but hey, some people are!)
3. Shark cupcakes! (Our 2009 version was all gore... these are a lot nicer hey?)
4. Lifesaver candy (Bonus points if you spring for the gummies!)
5. Salsa. It may not sound as appetizing when you think of chum, but it's perfect and delicious!
6. Tortilla chips. There's something swimming in your salsa!
7. Shark cookies. Everyone needs a shark shaped cookie cutter in their pantry!
8. Land Shark lager. The perfect beer for Shark Week!
If you're getting really fancy and want to go all out, you can add some sushi to your menu, too! We usually have small finger foods and sandwiches (cut into triangles... naturally) since I'm not really a sushi person. But I'm sure you can see how it fits the theme!
When we're having an actual party with guests and all that jazz, we tend to whip up an "Ocean Water" punch to serve our guests. You can make it as a cocktail or mocktail! We like to serve both since we have some friends who don't drink, or they volunteer to DD!
Ocean Water (cocktail) Punch
3 cups Malibu (coconut) Rum
3/4 cups Blue Curacao
2L Sprite
Garnish with Lifesaver gummies + Swedish Fish
Ocean Water (mocktail) Punch
5 cups coconut water
2L Sprite
~5 drops blue food coloring (or until you reach desired hue)
Juice of 1 fresh orange
Garnish with Lifesaver gummies + Swedish Fish
Once the food and drink have been taken care of, it's time to think about entertainment! Of course Shark Week in itself is plenty good entertainment, but sometimes it's fun to spice it up a bit. If you're having an adult-only shindig, you can play the Shark Week drinking game (below!). Regardless of the age range in attendance, you can also play Shark Week Bingo! Just change up the rules and prizes accordingly. (Click here for several Shark Week Bingo cards!) Psst... Goldfish crackers make great bingo chips! I'm also not above playing some drunken/blindfolded "Pin the fin on the shark" haha! That's a great DIY game to whip up. Or even a costume contest! Everyone loves an excuse to dress up!
(click here to download + print the drinking game rules)
If you need some decorations for your party, toss out some crepe streamers in various shades of blue. If it's a kids' bash, let your littles craft some fish out of paper plates and paint! You can even download the shark infographic I made back in 2010 and teach your guests a few things while entertaining! (Shark trivia, anyone?!)
The great thing about Shark Week is that it appeals to such a wide variety of viewers! Shark fanatics, casual observers, and people who just love a good party! You can tailor your Shark Week fete to fit kids and adults of all ages! I can't wait for tomorrow's premier... but I really can't wait until next year so I can get back in the groove of throwing a massive Shark Week bonanza! You're all invited! haha
The great thing about Shark Week is that it appeals to such a wide variety of viewers! Shark fanatics, casual observers, and people who just love a good party! You can tailor your Shark Week fete to fit kids and adults of all ages! I can't wait for tomorrow's premier... but I really can't wait until next year so I can get back in the groove of throwing a massive Shark Week bonanza! You're all invited! haha
Would you attend a Shark Week party?! Happy Shark Week!
cute shark-things ;)
ReplyDeleteLove this post! Last night my husband sat up and was like It's Shark Week on Sunday. I am so glad other people treat this like a royal holiday.
ReplyDeleteI would totally attend a shark week party! That's so cool!
ReplyDeleteI love it all! Especially the drinking game! I don't have a lot of friends in Pittsburgh yet, but if I did, I would absolutely throw a little shindig myself!
ReplyDeletehttp://cuddlyasacactus.wordpress.com/
Wow. I've honestly never watched anything for Shark Week, and this is totally making me want to throw a party--or at the very least, play that drinking game.
ReplyDeleteWow. I've honestly never engaged much in Shark Week, but this is making me want to throw my own party--or at the very least, play that drinking game.
ReplyDeleteShark Week rules! Love all the party ideas. And that drinking game- it's killing me! bahahaha :)
ReplyDeletethat shark week drinking game is PERFECTION. I love shark week (though a much more casual admirer than yourself, hahah) and this seems like such a fun thing to do! I wish I had more shark enthusiast friends...
ReplyDeleteHahaha I love you for posting this. I'm definitely hosting a shark week party next year! I looooove shark week so much. I'm throwing a Great Gatsby themed party in a few days, but this is definitely going on my list of theme parties I need to host! xx
ReplyDeleteAllie / callmesassafras.wordpress.com
Those cupcakes were all gore! We were so morbid!
ReplyDeleteThose cupcakes were all gore! We were so morbid!
ReplyDeleteI am doing a shark week party this year and we are haveing bugles too for the shark teeth and octopus soup (hot dog cut like octopus in cicken noodle soup) I will post picture after it is over. I am so excited for shark week
ReplyDeleteAhahaha! This is awesome! It's time like this that I wish I had a TV and cable. I love sharkweek! The internets just doesn't cut it for TV viewing sometimes... The drinking game is too perfect for words.
ReplyDelete-Becca
Ladyface Blog
I think this is amazing. I'm going to have to try and figure out how to get some Shark Week up in England so I can do some of this with my husband.
ReplyDeletehahahahahahahaha! Oh man! This is classic Kaelah, I LOVE it! This just made me realize I've never seen anything to do with shark week. I'm assuming it's a bunch of different shows based around sharks for the entire week? Is this on animal planet? I'm gonna go do some googling. I wonder if netflix has old shark week stuff. I'm off!
ReplyDeleteThe drinking game is genius! hahaha
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Do you know about the global shark tracker web site? www.sharks-ocearch.verite.com Check it out!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE! This is always my favorite week on your blog... and pretty much my life!
ReplyDeletejamiepilgrim.com
this is great!!! i was thinking of something fun to do with my daughter for shark week. she will love this stuff!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thefreckledmask.com/
LOVE this post!!!! and shark week! i had to share your post on my blog cause I love it so much!!!
ReplyDelete-kel
YES YES YES!! I love Shark Week and I'm SO excited! I've had such a stressful week, I'm so excited to relax and watch some sharks!
ReplyDeletesuch a cute idea! my boyfriend loves shark stuff, but sadly we don't have cable, I know he'll regret it this week more than ever!
ReplyDeletewritingwhimsy.com
haha this is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best idea EVER!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh man, this is the cutest idea ever! I love the drinking game, especially the "finish your beer in their honor" part. Any excuse to eat/serve Goldfish and Swedish Fish is okay in my book!
ReplyDeletexo, Michelle
www.NeonRattail.com
i've never ever watched a show from shark week. but after seeing your post, i think i'll be sitting my butt in front of the tv tonight to see what all the excitement is about. :)
ReplyDeleteWoo I always look forward to your posts at this time of year, my fellow shark enthusiast!! :D
ReplyDeleteRaffles Bizarre Blog
I love how you've made shark week into a party <3 I don't even think we have sharkweek here in The Netherlands =O =(
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! :)
ReplyDelete