Olympic Tailgate Party, continued...
More great ideas on how to celebrate the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Hosting an Olympic tailgate party is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the 2010 Winter Olympics. It's the next best thing to being at the Olympics live! Who knows? I may just get up to Canada to see the action in person, but for now I will happily enjoy a tailgate party at home with friends and family. The Winter Olympics are one of my favorite things to watch. I grew up figure skating and just can't seem to pull myself away from the competition when they get out there on the ice! I shared some ideas with you previously about how to make your own Olympic tailgate party a success, now here are a few more suggestions ...
DIY Athlete Biography Coasters
What better way to bring in a tailgate theme to your Olympics party than to incorporate license plates into your decor. My idea? Learn a little bit more about the 2010 Winter Olympic athletes by creating license plate biography coasters! On one side, I included a biography of an Olympic athlete, on the other an image of the license plate of the athlete's home state. By learning about the athletes participating in the Winter Olympics you'll be sure to get all your guests involved in cheering them on.
What You'll Need:
8 1/2” x 11 white card stock
Laminate machine (try Office Max or FedEx Office)
Spray adhesive
Directions:
To create the coasters visit the Winter Olympics website and download information on US athletes. When reading their biographical information, be sure to look for their home state and search for the state's license plate online. Combine the athlete's picture with their name, birthday, home state and additional biographical information into a 4" x 4" area and print it out on white paper. Print the image of the athlete's home state license plate and cut out a 4" x 4" square. Place the two pieces of paper back to back with the information and images facing out. Visit a print or office store to laminate the 4” x 4” squares together and voila, you have coasters that are educational and stylish!
DIY Olympian Wreath
When throwing an Olympic tailgate party for your friends and family, there are sure to be children around, so I've created a fun activity that is entertaining and educational too! In honor of the Greeks, who founded the Olympics in 776 BCE, I set up a station where children can make their own Olympic head wreath. Kids love to dress up, so why not allow an activity that gives them the opportunity to learn more about the history of the Olympics while being creative and having fun? To customize the head wreath, have each child place foam shapes of sports, pets and activities to represent their interests and the sports they enjoy. What a great reminder that they are their own champions!
What You'll Need:
8” Foam Wreath
Scissors
1” thick gold ribbon
Green silk leaves
Hot glue gun
Foam Craft Shapes
Directions:
Using a 8" diameter foam wreath form, cut it into a horseshoe shape by cutting out a 5 1/2” piece from front of the wreath and wrap it with a 1” thick gold ribbon. Be sure to overlap the previous lap for a finished look. With a low temperature hot glue gun, affix the ribbon onto the foam wreath by attaching each end of the ribbon to each end of the wreath shape. Make sure children are supervised by an adult while using the hot glue gun. Once the ribbon is secured, have the children glue silk leaves (that you've previously dusted with gold spray paint) on to the head piece. Use tacky glue to have the children adhere the foam shapes to their Olympian wreath.
DIY Gold Medal Award
When attending an Olympic tailgate party everyone deserves a gold medal. During the party, decide which award each guest will receive. For instance, one guest could be awarded "Best Fan". This year, the Olympic ribbon color is blue so be sure to use a blue ribbon!
What You'll Need:
Metallic gold card stock
Gold foil
Gold glitter
Foam core board
Blue ribbon
Directions:
Using metallic gold card stock, cut 5” diameter circles and adhere to foam core board. Punch a whole into the top of the circle and attach a blue ribbon into the circle. Embellish each award with gold glitter and gold foil in the shape of the number one.
DIY Fan "Foam" Finger
Be an enthusiastic fan with this DIY fan finger! It's a simple project created out of foam core with red, white and blue construction paper adhered to the surface. Create one for your favorite competing country and cheer your favorite athlete on! Your guests will love them.
What You'll Need:
Foam core board
Construction paper
Spray adhesive
Glitter
Directions:
Cut the shape of a fan finger out of foam core. Cut strips of red, white and blue construction paper. Glue the construction paper to the foam core. Embellish with silver glitter and red construction stars. Staple a piece of construction paper to the back of the finger for a hand pocket.
Also see: Olympic Tailgate Party, Part 1 >
About Kelley Moore
Kelley Moore combines years of experience as a social worker with a passion for design and entertaining. She has appeared on "The Today Show" and shared her tips and ideas with Ellen DeGeneres, Tyra Banks and Rachael Ray on their television programs. She also regularly appears on Seattle's NBC affiliate. Her book, Cube Chic, has inspired thousands to look at their office space in a new way.
Unlike other experts who focus on trends and formulaic designs and solutions, Kelley inspires and empowers people to use design and entertaining as tools to build stronger relationships and share who they are through the environment they create. You can read more on her Web site, kelleylmoore.com.