How to Host a #SharkWeek Party

Sharks get their very own week,

so we shouldn't we throw a party to celebrate?

Here is my thinking process:

You can watch episodes of Shark Week

 alone in a dark living room, biting your nails,

and chewing on your lower lip.

Or you can throw the greatest party on the South Shore,

just miles from where sharks lurk in the great abyss,

drinking shark attacks with your friends, eating delicious shark-atizers,

dressing the part, and screaming

 -- right alongside those that love Shark Week

just as much as you do.

I don't know about you,

but I prefer the latter.

So here is what you do

for NEXT YEAR.

You outdo even this Shark Week Party

 high standard of excellence

with a 'Shark Week' party of your own.

And then give ME ideas.

Deal?

So, without further adieu,

HOW TO HOST A SHARK WEEK PARTY

STEP #1:  Ambience, Ambience, Ambience. No one likes a shark party lacking in heart. You have to go big or go home. Find some shark-themed decorations from sites like Party City and Discount Party Supplies (which is where I got most of my decor) and invest in fun stuff to set the mood for your fun night.

STEP #2:  Plan ahead. Once you have ordered or purchased your decorations, you can begin to hash out the details of your party. Where will the party be held? This will dictate the kinds of decorations you will purchase. How many people will you invite? What will the menu be like? What themed drinks will you serve? Will the party consist of just watching Shark Week programming or will you have games and/or activities planned? These are all things you should think about as you begin to narrow in on the details of your party.

The perfect hostess apron ;)

STEP #3: Send party invites. Find some cute shark-themed party invites on Etsy. People get crazy with Shark Week, so trust me when I tell you that they are out there in abundance. For the more budget conscious party host, check out e-vites- such as this shark inspired one.

STEP #4: Well, no turning back now. Thats what I always like to say once the invites are out. Who wants to be embarrassed canceling a party, especially one as exciting as a Shark Week inspired themed one? You cancel that, you are going to have some very unhappy friends. I wouldn't wish that hostesses karma on my worst enemy. So now that you know w̶h̶o̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶l̶u̶c̶k̶y̶ ̶e̶n̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶l̶i̶f̶e̶  your guest list, we can get to the fun stuff - mainly the menu and drink selections. Since everything must be done with the guest in mind, have as much fun with the shark theme as possible. If you know you want to include spinach dip on the menu, find something "sharky" to throw in. If you know you are making cupcakes, buy something to jazz them up and make them shark-inspired. And don't even get me started on  drinks...I had WAY to much fun with that. Shark Attacks got me in a lot of trouble back in the day at the Post Office Cafe on Lifeguard Night, so naturally I went with them BUT use your discretion. I suggest making them blue and adding plastic sharks to them. DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO!

STEP 5: DRESS THE PART! I think by the photo below we all know what I mean when I say dress to impress. Set expectations beforehand on your invite that you r̶e̶c̶o̶m̶m̶e̶n̶d̶ demand your guests to be in costume and be good sports about dressing up since you were gracious enough to invite them to your fabulous gathering. The least they can do is put a little thought into the attire or costume they show up in. If not, FINE. They automatically volunteer as camera b***** and get to SNAP the photos all night versus POSING in them. Win/win.

Victim? Oh, I thought they said VIXEN. I got that all wrong.

STEP #6: A week before the party, get your DVR ready and check to ensure you even get Shark Week on your particular network. You would hate for your guests to arrive and for you not to even get Discovery - you will have some very surly shark fans on your hands and trust me, those fans get ROWDY. Once you verify you have it, set up your DVR to record a few episodes (so try to not have your Shark Week Party the initial night of shark week) so you have them on back up in case the programming they air that night is lame. If they are airing some boring documentary on how sharks migrate versus the gory shark attack episodes everyone loves, then you will be prepared with back up. Give people a shark week party they will remember - air shows with BLOOD! :)

STEP #7: Have fun with it! This goes without saying, but you can definitely add contests and fun activities to the night. Have a contest and prize ready for the best shark costume or party guest with the most shark week spirit. Make sure you have plenty of food/beer/and cocktails available for guests, and don't forget the importance of ambience. People might forget about what they watched that night, but they will definitely remember the little details and decor that made the party extra sharktacular! 

 xo,

Rach