Sit right back to hear a tale,
a tale of a great party...
It started with some tropic drinks
and lots of friends and family!
Who didn't watch hours of Gilligan's Island while growing up? The Skipper and his little buddy Gilligan, Mary Ann and Ginger, the Millionaires, and of course the Professor... always trying to get off their little deserted island, and never quite succeeding.
A Gilligan's Island Theme Party is the perfect twist to a Hawaiian or Tiki themed party. The same great tropical drinks and poo-poos (Hawaiian for appetizers), but definitely lots of silliness and slapstick comedy Gilligan's Island-style. Below are some ideas to throw your own Gilligan's Island Party. Perhaps you will even be successful on getting off the island at the end!
Decoration Ideas
Hawaiian fare is perfect for this party... then just add a couple different cast-a-way items for accents and memories of the show:
- Tropical Flowers
- Palm eaves
- Coconuts
- Fishing Net
- Grass Hut Decorations
- Life Preservers (write SS Minnow on side)
- A Dingy (the more beat up the better!)
- Professor-Like Gadgets
- A Trunk of Hollywood Movie Star Clothes
- A Hammock or 2 (Gilligan and Skipper had bunk bed hammocks)
- An Anchor
- A Kiddie Pool (your own "lagoon")
Food Ideas
My favorite spot for island style food is Trader Joes. If you have one near by, this can be a one-stop shop... if not, no worries... many of these items can be made or found at most grocery stores:
- Coconut Shrimp
- Tropical Salsa and Chips
- BBQ Veggie and Meat Skewers (be sure to add pineapple to the skewer)
- Hawaiian Teriyaki Beef Skirt Steak
- Tropical Fruit Salad
- Coconut Ice Cream Bars
- Tropical Fruit Popsicles
Drinks
This party just isn't complete without some tasty tropical drinks... there's even a drink named after Gillian! Also, if you've ever watched the show, you know that Thurston Howell is never without a drink, appropriately in a bamboo with an tropical flower decoration. Below is a list of plenty of drink options to keep your cast-a-ways thirst quenched!
- Ginger Ale
- Tropical Juice
- Mai Tai
- Pina Colada
- The Gilligan - There are varied Gilligan Drink recipes on the internet, pick your favorite!
Well, that's all for today's show (post)...
STAY TUNED tomorrow
More Gilligan's Island Party Ideas to come!
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Post Show Notes:
Ironically, today (July 12, 2011), I just read that Sherwood Schwartz died at age 94. He was the creator of Gilligan's Island and Brady Bunch... two TV shows that I watched endlessly in my youth! Here are a couple articles about him that may be of interest. Thank you Sherwood for your wonderful party inspiration, and may you rest in peace!
