Organizing a cowboy-style party

A cowboy-style party is a very popular idea. It is only necessary to carefully consider the birthday scenario in the style of the Wild West. Contests for cowboys and room decoration, choice of costumes for children and adults, even catering have their own subtleties.

It is worth considering how the room will be decorated in order to create a festive atmosphere.

You can even create a photo zone with your own hands. On the street, they use tin and cans, glass bottles (it is advisable to strip the labels from them for greater authenticity). When scheduling a cowboy-themed party, you can also decorate your photography space with:

• an old-fashioned paper garland (paper is kept in strong black tea or coffee for 10-15 minutes);
• bales of hay;
• stylized as advertisements for wanted photographs of participants;
• horse head (can be made from cardboard or papier-mâché);
• horseshoes;
• straw hats hung on the walls or on shelves;
• stylized mustache;
• weapons.

A Wild West birthday setting requires a special bar. Of course, it is recommended to display more drinks and fewer snacks in it (in order to maintain the style). But even in a children's party, you can safely use other decorations and attributes of the cowboy era:

• stickers for dishes with a picture of hats;
• checkered tablecloths;
• decorative cacti;
• bundles of straw;
• lasso;
• figures of cows and horses;
• wooden boxes;
• rough wooden shelves;
• stylized wigwams.

It is very good if the room is originally decorated in the spirit of a western... The top of the chic and compliance with the canons is furniture "with traces of bullets." In any case, it should look emphatically old and worn out; use of materials other than wood is not allowed. Themed portraits and landscapes are a good idea for interior decoration.

Of course, it's impossible to imagine a party without appropriate invitations. Stylized posters “Wanted”, which contain stylized antique photographs, funny names and nicknames of specific guests, have long become classics of the “cowboy” holiday. Important: in pursuit of humor, do not forget that there should be information about the place, time of the celebration. You can think of other ideas as well:

• "The editorial of an old newspaper";
• invitation in the form of an Indian or a horse;
• invitation in the form of a sheriff's badge;
• invitation card in the format of old boots, hats;
• imitation of a cactus;
• The "gold mine map" or map of California;
• portrait of a cowboy.

You can't do without special costumes at such a party. Consider your outfit very carefully.

When choosing costumes for adults, you can simply revise old photographs. Or take a traditional Indian outfit as an example. (True, walking in such a street is unlikely to work, and therefore you will have to change clothes directly in the house itself). Don't forget about feathers and face paint... Recommended use cowboy hats and bandanas, stylized pistols.

Since there were many gold diggers in the Wild West, it will be useful to stock up on:

• worn out old jeans;
• plaid shirts;
• neckerchiefs;
• leather jackets;
• high boots (preferably made of genuine leather);
• wide belts with large plaques.

A bold, even on the verge of cynical provocation, idea - to use costumes for girls dancers. However, it is important to understand that such a decision can shock or offend many people. It takes great tact and impeccable knowledge of all the participants invited so as not to cross the line. Better to abandon radical clothing experiments. A milder option includes:

• denim shorts;
• long skirts with fringes, sometimes with lace petticoats;
• colorful shirts made of plain fabrics with a knot at the waist.

Shoes may even have moderately high heels. It is not necessary (although desirable) to limit yourself to brown. Chaps will serve as an elegant addition to the look.

In cowboy clothes for a boy, accessories may well be present:

• seashells;
• feathers (if it is decided to copy the appearance of the Indian);
• embroidery and lacing;
• pearl;
• brushes;
• patch pockets;
• nacre;
• bone details.

Regardless of gender and age, you can take a closer look at bandanas, vests, sweaters. Of course, only natural fabrics are allowed. An additional plus to the authenticity of the costume will be its manufacture in the USA or in Mexico. Important: it is better to refuse hats on a string - this element of imitative wardrobe is outdated. If we return specifically to children's images, then the appropriate solutions may be:

• fringed vests;
• trousers with imitation holster;
• expressive hats;
• neckerchiefs;
• related accessories.

Outfits, invitations, room decoration - all this, of course, is interesting. But it will be equally important to have a well-designed menu. You should not trust common stereotypes and popular westerns when choosing dishes. Moreover, you can play with real food and snacks of the Wild West creatively. The most important thing is that a "natural cowboy" is not a participant in constant adventures, but a shepherd. The main ingredients in their diet were beans and beef.A simple soup was most often made from beans. When driving herds and on other journeys, the typical cowboy ate biscuits and fried, boiled beef. Pork, chicken or lamb were cooked in saloons. All meat dishes were actively seasoned with chili; in the winter they cooked red khash.

Nobody ate ordinary bread due to the lack of bakeries, especially bakeries. It was replaced by unleavened corn cakes. Tea was rarely drunk because of the high cost; cowboys consumed coffee much more. If they managed to organize a sweet, then it was mainly chicken, fish or apple pie.

But you don't have to hit full authenticity. You can simply reproduce individual notes characteristic of the era of the Wild West. So, coarse meat nutrition is very well imitated with the help of kebabs. You can also use:

• large cuts of meat;
• blood steaks;
• baked chicken thighs;
• ham and sausages;
• B-B-Q;
• stewed stews;
• a selection of fresh and baked vegetables.

All dishes are recommended to be spiced up using spices and sauces. For a snack they use crackers, chips, nuggets, French fries. Simple pies and chocolate biscuits are perfect as a dessert. Of course, the cake will be the highlight of the celebration. Now he can already completely get out of the general concept and relate to any culinary tradition.

We must not forget about drinks. At an authentic adult cowboy party, it's hard to do without beer, preferably dark unfiltered beers. Some people will be more satisfied with alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. But it is quite possible to use also:

• tequila;
• still water;
• fruit and vegetable juices;
• cocoa from solid cocoa beans, with spices.

The Texas branch of cowboy cuisine is unthinkable without:

• B-B-Q with smoked beef (usually with brisket, less often with sausages), served with white bread;
• chili con carne (unlike similar dishes in other places, beans should not be there);
• kolachi (fruits or beef sausages baked in dough);
• large piece of beef, goat or chicken (supplemented with optional black beans, red beans, corn, wheat, molasses);
• tamales tortillas (dating back to ancient Indian recipes);
• pizza "Texas" (with bell peppers, oregano and olives).

From other states, where there were also colorful shepherds, you can borrow:

• chicken fried steak;
• fried steak with beans;
• jerky;
• pork sausage sandwiches;
• blueberry and cherry desserts;
• rack of pork ribs;
• pork cutlets with corn;
• soup with beef steak.

If the Mexican cowboys are taken as a sample, you will not be able to limit yourself to a formulaic burrito! An important component of a California-style party is beef. Mexican cuisine is rich in refreshing juices of exotic plants. It is also worth using:

• tortillas;
• caramel;
• donuts "bunuelos";
• egg liqueur rompole;
• a vanilla-chocolate drink flavored with honey (it was also adored by the Aztecs);
• guacamole;
• escabeche marinade;
• quesadilla (quesadia).

You don't have to imitate 100% real-life saloons from the gold rush and use an un-tuned grand piano. It is quite possible to involve in the case and mandolins, and harmonica, and guitars. Performed melodies are selected to your taste.

A completely authentic party will not be complete without the cult songs for the Wild West:

• Bill Venero;
• Out Where the West Begins;
• Drift Alons Lonely Cowboy;
• Railroad Corral;
• Make Me A Cowboy Again For A Day.

If we talk about performers, then it is appropriate to stage songs:

• Johnny Cash;
• Waylon Jennings;
• Joseph Poole (highly recommended);
• Boss Hoss;
• Bloody Jug Band;
• Anjalina Presley (light and unobtrusive compositions);
• George Jones;
• Hank Williams;
• Garth Brooks;
• Willie Nelson;
• Alan Jackson;
• Conway Twitty.

Of course, a party cannot do without various contests and games. One of the thematic entertainments is as follows: a large basin is filled with water and lumps of golden foil are thrown there. Participants in a corporate party or other celebration are alternately blindfolded and offered to catch as many of these pieces as possible with an ordinary sieve. A good idea for awarding winners is a chocolate medal.

An alternative solution is "horse race". Large, well-inflated balls, on which manes and muzzles are glued, can act as "horses". It is recommended to use a gymnastic ball with a handle or ears - this is easier to move on. Those present are divided into teams, and those who finish the relay race earlier than others receive the main prize.

Lasso contests should also be envisaged in the script. A ring is tied from a dense rope. You can throw a lasso on anything. With each subsequent step, the distance to the target is increased. Sometimes the target can move. The competition lasts until the most accurate player is identified.

It is not necessary to use only mobile contests. It may well be present and calm quizzes. One of the options: the presenter says a word and introduces everyone to the characteristic movement. With the word "hurricane" it is necessary to crouch down and cover your face with a handkerchief, when you say "sheriff" - it is imitated pulling a pistol out of the holster.

It will be a good game and playing rodeo. "Aggressive bull" is made from a log or a thick board laid on chairs along the edges, a blanket is laid in the middle. One team tries to hold onto the log as tightly as possible, while the other tries to throw off the rivals by swinging the log. This is a very fun game, but it is advisable to practice it outdoors, changing teams from time to time.

You can also think about options such as:

• intellectual game (by characters and events of the era, by places that are significant for it);
• throwing darts;
• shooting from water or other children's pistols for accuracy;
• dances (they can be anything, but it is better to focus on those that actually danced in the 19th century).

In the next video, you will find a selection of accessories for a successful cowboy look.