Fast Ways to Plan an Irresistible Caribbean Themed Party!
Plan the ultimate Caribbean party with fun and festive party ideas that are easy!
For a casual yet hip theme, put on a Caribbean themed birthday party! It’s easier than you think because we suggest hosting a super-casual cocktail party with just some light snacks and finger foods that are fast to prepare. And to make it fun, style it with a sunny Caribbean theme that you can toss together in no time with some of our practical ideas! (*this post contains affiliate links)
Consider Easy Yet Stylish Caribbean Appetizers
Start off with planning some easy-to-prep hors d’oeuvres, mini sandwiches, or finger foods. Our team found these scrumptious Caribbean-inspired recipes that are sure to make a hit! Serve them buffet-style in long plates, wooden platters, or trays. Make it easy for guests to pick and choose appetizers as the main meal is being prepared.
- Caribbean Veggie Wraps
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken Skewers
- Mini Salmon Mango Sliders
- Caribbean BBQ Ham Sandwich
- Caribbean Shrimp Bites
After considering your appetizers, you may also want to shop for some bags of yummy pop-in-your-mouth munchies for guests to enjoy. Some great ideas would be:
- glazed or candied pecans
- pistachios
- roasted cashews
- macadamia nuts
- sweet and spicy cocktail nut mixes
- crunchy banana chips
Pour these into banana leaf-lined wooden bowls (of course, glass or ceramic ones would do just fine!), and set these out on tables for guests to pick and choose from. Have those nifty “bag clips” on hand to keep the standby refills fresh and crisp!
Prepare Exotic Caribbean Desserts with Fruits
Prepare mouth-watering Caribbean desserts made with the freshest fruits like mangoes, cantaloupes, coconuts, and kiwis. Here are few of our favorites that you can serve on a festive dessert table:
- Mango Fool
- Banana Fritters
- Kiwi Lime Pops
- Cantaloupe with lime, mint and honey
- Coconut Lime Cupcakes
Looking for some decorating inspiration and ideas? Check our Jamaican-inspired styled shoot!
Don’t Forget the Drinks: Think Cool Cocktails
There’s just something special about a refreshing cocktail at a summer party. Could it be that the flavors of the Caribbean are beckoning? Try these wonderful ideas:
Serve Chilled Fresh Fruit Cups
Cups of fresh fruit in season are super-easy to prepare—plus, they’re refreshing and healthy! Check out your nearest grocery or farmer’s market for what’s available, and choose fruits that are as attractive as they are delicious.
- For eye-catching color, look for watermelon, pineapple, mandarin oranges, papaya, and kiwi.
- For some sweetness, consider banana, mango, and cantaloupe.
- For a hint of crispiness, add apples and pears.
Cut these up into bite-size chunks, toss together gently in a large bowl, and chill for at least an hour before the party. Spoon the fruit mix into compote glasses or sorbet cups, and garnish with jaunty paper parasols!
Offer Up Sweets and Keepsakes“Caribbean Style”
Sweet treats are always welcome at a party—and best of all, many come right out of a pack! Set them out for guests to enjoy right there, and have some more prettily packaged as take-home favors. Take your pick of the many fruit-flavored candies available like sugared orange slices. Present these goodies in shell dishes, banana leaves, or favor pouches.
Sweet potato chips in shell dish with a leaf-shaped favor tag, including a shell necklace as party favors. These are also great as condiment or candy dishes to be placed as part of your Caribbean-inspired tablescape.
For something unique and whimsical, add pineapple place cards. Guests can take them home in these handcrafted shell placecard holders as keepsakes of your party.
Other Caribbean favor ideas include:
- Homemade rum balls
- Mini bottles of rum
- Pineapple bottle openers
- Tropical-flavored candies
- Reggae-inspired coasters
- Chocolates with rum liqueur
Play Lively Music to Enjoy at the Party
Bring the various sounds of the Caribbean to the party with influences from Africa to Latin America. Think reggae, rumba, salsa, calypso, and Caribbean ska. Guests can relax or dance the night away as you play a medley of carefree music! Some of our Amazon favorites are:
- Putumayo Presents : Islands
- Caribbean Party Music
- Steel Drum Favorites
- Real Jamaican: Ska
- Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers
Caribbean Themed Party Attire and Costumes!
If you’re going to have a Caribbean party, why not encourage guests to wear something that suits the theme. Since this is a casual affair, floral dresses for the ladies in tropical prints and colors work well. Blouses in the same design match wonderfully with a crisp white skirt, shorts, or even jeans. Comfy maxi dresses and tee shirt dresses (via Amazon) in bright hues of aqua, fuchsia, yellow, and orange are also practical options. Should the event be by a pool, you can also wear a lovely cover up! As for the men, think relaxed island resort wear from shirts with palm prints (via Amazon) to plain white shorts. Keep footwear simple with flip flops, sandals, or espadrilles.
Caribbean-inspired Party Invitations: Send the Word Out
Get the word out via Zazzle with these Caribbean-inspired invitations! From sunny beaches to palm trees, these 5 picks we found should make everyone excited about your summer gathering whether it’s on a balmy beach or simply in your backyard.
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- 1 – Palm tree summer invitation
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- 2 – Beach party invitation
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- 3 – Blue beach party with sunny Palm trees invite
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- 4 – Hey Mon! We’re having a party!
The shell trays with candies, I love!