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"Survivor" Party:
Outwit - Outlast - Outplay - OUTPARTY!

• When - You can do it on the night of the show or on a weekend. I suggest the weekend, because if you stop the party to watch the show, you'll lose your momentum (BORING!). Incorporate the actual show into the evening by having people choose which islander they think is going to win, the order in which they will be voted off, etc., and invite them over to watch the last SURVIVOR show. After the show airs, give prizes to those who chose correctly, and then show the video that you made of your party (guaranteed for laughs).
• Where - Your house or at a local park so you're as close to nature as you can be.
• How - Well...here's a step-by-step plan.

The Invitation

It's a clever show, and an even cleverer (is that a word?) party--so an incredibly clever invitation is in order. I suggest a personalized invitation from Carlson Craft or a caricature invitation from Party411's Creations for You. Invite your guests to your "island" to tape the ONLY episode. Make sure to give your island a name. (Pick someplace exotic.) Tell them what to wear (island clothing, rubber-soled shoes--allow only two items extra), what to bring (water and bug spray sound good-have you seen those Survivors' legs?!--allow only three items), where to go and when to arrive.

On your RSVP, make sure you ask them if they want to participate or spectate (this is very important!). When your RSVPs arrive, divide them into three piles: Tribe 1, Tribe 2 and the Production Group (these are your spectators a.k.a. the party poopers--they can do the video).

You may want to divide teams by men and women--or not. It's up to you how you pick and choose. Make the assignments before the event (you don't want anyone to feel left out like they did in elementary school when choosing sides for softball, now do you?).

The Party

Well, if you are truly doing a SURVIVOR party, then you need a plan that will SURVIVE even the biggest critics. Let's see...

As guests arrive, welcome them to your "island" (maybe a lei or two) and assign them to their tribes. Some suggestions for tribal names are: Snake, Rattle and Rollers, Boogie Bugs, Lounge Lizards, Shell Shockers. Alright, maybe they're not all that creative, but they work. You may want to provide color armbands or t-shirts (like they do in color wars) so everyone knows who's on which side! Lest they conspire with the wrong tribe. For some great decorating ideas for this theme, check out our Luau theme. You'll not only decorate your yard, you'll decorate your guests!

Once everyone is settled, it's time to get on with the immunity challenges. Obviously, you are not really on a deserted island, so you'll have to be a little more inventive than those guys at CBS (plus I think your budget is a tad less). Unless you never want to see your friends again, I suggest staying away from things like bug eating competitions and such (unless you use gummy bugs, or rats!--now that's okay and the only side effects are a sugar high).

Whichever team wins each challenge should get points. Forcing the other team to vote someone off (out of the tribe) would probably be a touch insensitive seeing as how these are your friends and by, say, 9 p.m. you could be partying with one or two people. How much fun is that?

The team with the most points wins! Enough said.

The Immunity Challenges:

1. A gummy bug-eating competition. He who eats the most, wins. Gummy bears are a big favorite of mine, but don't go with the theme. Try gummy spiders and beetles and stuff like that.
2. A rat hunt. Candy stores also have gummy rats (I kid you not). Hide some of those suckers in different places on your "island."
3. A treasure chest relay. They have to carry a treasure chest filled with rocks, back and forth, handing it off to different team members until they are done.
4. A limbo contest. Order a limbo kit and see how low can they go. If you don't think this is dangerous (and hilarious) you've never seen me try to shimmy under a limbo stick.
5. For more exciting challenges, see our survivor games.

Menu

Set up a luau of sorts. We have loads of luau suggestions on the site--so go for it. Roast a pig. Make it a wild pig (after all, you can pretend you caught it right there).

Serve your drinks in a SURVIVOR shot glass (only $5 on the Survivor website--and a great souvenir--plus it's the least expensive).

Decorations

You won't need much, but being who I am, the Party Girl, I would go all out. At your walk, you'll need a welcome sign to your island. As people walk to your front door, have some fun with signs like those you see entering a township:

• [Island Name] KIWANIS (meets Wednesdays)
• [Island Name] TRIBAL COUNCIL (meets tonight)
• [Island Name] LION'S CLUB (never meets)

Put your registration area inside the front door. Have signs posted: we do not practice island politics; you are now entering island society--be gracious; etc.

See the Party411 Luau party for more great ideas and products to set the tropical tone of your bash.

Dinner and Dancing

After all is said and done challenge-wise, invite your friends to dine and dance. Make a great campfire. Do the limbo. Depending on your budget, you may want to reward the winning team with SURVIVOR t-shirts or hats ($17-18 each).

Sit down and watch the video. That should be fun. As a thank you for coming, send each friend a copy so that they remember what a great time they had on your island (or if you don't like them, charge $10 each--CBS makes money, why shouldn't you?).

See More Survivor Games

For more paper products and party favors, visit 1-800 Party Shop.

For party wearables and novelties, visit our Party Store.

Remember to Outparty. It's always about survival of the fittest.
The Party Girl

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