THEME:  Honeymoon destination

INVITATIONS:  If the happy couple will be honeymooning in Hawaii, for instance, you can use that as the theme.  Shape the invitation like a pineapple, and suggest that the guests bring a gift suitable for taking on the honeymoon trip.

MATERIALS FOR ACTIVITIES:  Materials for games  or activities desired (see below for suggestions); prizes, if desired, such as fresh pineapples or plastic leis for a Hawaii honeymoon theme; large trash bag; paper and pencil. 

FOOD:  Serve food from the location of the honeymoon.  For instance, to indicate a Hawaiian honeymoon, serve a huge fresh fruit salad in a hollowed-out watermelon, and an exotic tropical punch.

DECORATIONS:  Decorate like the honeymoon destination, using travel posters, souvenirs, etc.  For the Hawaiian honeymoon example, try to create an island atmosphere, using some of the ideas for the Hawaiian Luau party in an earlier post.

 BLOW-BY-BLOW:    After the guests have arrived, deposited their gifts and been introduced to each other, you’ll want to play a few fun games. 

            For the Hawaii Shower (as an example of the honeymoon-place theme), you might use the Hawaiian word game found in the description of the Hawaiian Luau (earlier post).  Another word game is the old children’s game, “I’m Going On a Trip.” For this version, each guest would have to think of an item that would be appropriate to take on a honeymoon trip to Hawaii, in alphabetical order, of course.  (They might be called upon to defend some of their choices!)  You might also try the Hula Contest from the Hawaiian Luau party, or any of the games from the Indoor Beach Party (earlier post, see archives).  Award prizes, if desired. 

            After the games, it’s time to open the gifts.  Be sure to record who gave the bride-to-be what.       When the gifts are all opened, you can serve the refreshments, and you might want to show  slides or a travel video showcasing Hawaii while everyone eats, to help the bride get excited for her trip.