How To Throw An Olympics Party
With the Olympic Games about to descend on London, chances are – short of leaving the country – you’re not going to be hearing about much else over the next month. So, as the old saying goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Gather up some mates, and invite everyone round for an Opening Ceremony party. Here’s how…
1. Get set…
The key to a good house party is to set the scene with decorations. All the shops and supermarkets are fully-stocked with Olympics-themed bits and bobs at the moment, so you can get your hands on things like miniature Olympic torches, colourful bunting, and Union Jack-adorned plates, cups and serviettes. Everything’s sponsored these days, so if you feel like taking a tongue-in-cheek approach, have signs announcing “Official Bar of the Olympic Games” and “Official Toilets of the Olympic Games”. Denis Kuvaev / Shutterstock.com
2. Dress for success
Ask your guests to come in costume. They could pick a sport and dress like the athletes – think leotards, swimming costumes, tennis whites and the like. Bonus points if they bring props. Alternatively, get everyone to come in the national dress of a different country. A beret and stripy shirt for France, a baseball cap and jersey for the USA…the possibilities are endless. And if all that sounds like a bit too much hard work, take the easy road and just ask everyone to wear red, white and blue.
3. An athlete’s diet
Your athletes need to be fed and watered. Again, you could take an international approach and whip up dishes and drinks from across the globe. Alternatively, show your support for Team GB by filling the food table with traditional British grub. Pork pies, scotch eggs, sausage rolls and cucumber-and-cream-cheese sandwiches will all go down a treat. If you want to put your baking skills to the test – and impress your friends – have a go at making this snazzy Union Jack Battenberg cake or these gold medal millionaire shortbreads.
4. Let the games begin
You might not have room for a running track or javelin field, but you can easily hold your own ‘Garden Olympics’, featuring events like swing ball, Frisbee and wheelbarrow races. Or, if the weather’s not cooperating, have some parlour games prepared. Like the one where everyone gets an Olympic event written on their forehead, and you have to ask each other yes-or-no questions to find out which event it is. The London 2012 website has loads more ideas, including Olympics bingo.
5. The Podium
A bit of friendly competition never harmed anyone, so get into the spirit of things and hold a medal ceremony at the end of the night. Bronze, silver and gold medals can be awarded to the winners of the games above, and you could also give out prizes for the best costumes. It’s probably fine if the medals are of the chocolate-and-tinfoil variety, but if you want to do things properly, there are loads of websites offering shiny metal ones (although, granted, they’re not actually made from gold, silver or bronze…) Check out trophiesandmedals.com.
Already got plans to throw an Olympics party? Tell us all about them in the comments section below.