Murder In Margaritaland

This is one theme that is easy to dress for – choose something from your wardrobe or go over-the-top with additional accessories and props!

From your closet
• Hawaiian Shirt
• Khaki shorts
• Sundress
• Swimsuits
• Sun visors
• Sunglasses
• Sarong
• Swimsuit cover-up

From the party store
• Grass skirt
• Coconut bra
• Flower Leis
• Parrot on your shoulder
• Beachcomber hat
• Flowers in your hair
• Temporary tattoos
• Wild wigs

Additional props
• Surfboard
• Drink tray
• Coconuts
• Pineapples
• Life Vest
• Swim Toys
• Lifebuoy
• Zinc Oxide
• Cigars
• Money
• Bling!

Click here to download a glossary of popular and plausible tropical terms that
might come in handy during your Night of Mystery.

Click here to download a number of logos specially made for Margaritaland and their guests.
Print out the artwork on temporary tattoo paper and you have yourself a tattoo party.

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Coconut Joe—Owner of Margaritaland. The owner of the resort and the man to talk to when anything goes wrong.

Coconut Jane—Wife to Coconut Joe. Jane is in charge of guest relations and will go to any extent to make sure that the guests remain happy and satisfied.

Bindy Barkeep—Bar Manager. With bar sales decreasing lately, Bindy is looking for someone to blame. Will Bindy be able to keep the bar in the black… and their job?

Jack Daniels — Bartender. Known as the Casanova of the pool bar, it is hard to say whether his philandering ways will get him promoted or in trouble.

Kylie Cocktail—Cocktail Waitress. A gold-digger at heart, her aspirations might be a little ambitious for even her to achieve.

Lifesavin’ Sam—Lifeguard. Sam is supposed to be the safeguard of the resort, however, after his recent break-up with Kylie Cocktail, his actions have been doing more harm than good.

Cabana Bob—Cabana Boy. Ambitious and driven, Bob will do anything to advance his career and his love life.

BJ Baggage—Bellhop. With hopes of promotion, this bellhop is willing to help out the guests and the staff for little price if it means advancement of their career.

Tatum Tatt—Tattoo Artist. An artist and true talent. Another talent that they have is one of observation and Tatum has seen more than they are leading on.

Thurston Howard III—Millionaire. A man of money and power, Thurston will let no one take what is his or make a fool of him.

Candy Cotton—Millionaire’s girlfriend. As the vivacious and young girlfriend of Thurston Howard III, she will do anything to keep the adoration (and financial security) of her beau.

Lucky Numbers—Lottery Winner. Lucky came here to celebrate his winnings and ended up falling in love with Izzie. Now, he doesn’t know how to get something he can’t buy.

Starr Bright—Movie Star. Tired of the limelight and paparazzi, Starr is here to recuperate and rejuvenate far, far away from a daunting public.

Agent Hollywood—Hollywood Agent. With Starr Bright’s sudden rise to fame, this agent has had to work overtime to keep their client happy and Starr’s career on the right track.

** Not all characters will be included with all mystery versions.
** Some names and descriptions may be slightly different, due to the version you order.

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Looking for decoration inspiration for your party? Here’s a video to help!
Click below to start!

The Entrance To Your Party

• Create a “Today in Margaritaland” sign with everything happening at your resort!

• Hang an “Aloha” or “Margaritaland” banner in your entryway. (Templates included with the mystery.)

• Create palm trees to give a tropical feel to your area. (Directions included in mystery.)

• Make a Tiki

• Set the scene with a beach scene setter! These rolls of printed latex can transform a room instantly!

• Place sand, toy crabs and fish by the front door or around your party area. We found excellent ones here– affordable, high-quality and large.

• Make some directional signs to welcome your guests to the party and direct them around the party space. (Template and directions included with mystery.)

ADDED BONUS: The directional signs are editable so you can add in your own party spaces: tike bar, cabanas, beach pool, limbo area, etc.!

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Ideas for around your Party Space

• Hang garlands of homemade tissue flowers (tied along green ribbon).

• Make your own lei garland by purchasing leis, cutting them and stringing them together.

• Hang some paper lanterns for your party. They are inexpensive, colorful and add to the ambiance.

• Set out bright beach apparel, such as towels, beach bags and flip-flops.

• Float plastic or fresh flowers in water, either small bowls or a pond or pool.

• Hang beach balls from the ceiling with fishing line. Litter the floor with beach balls as well.

• Add some beach-like flavor by accessorizing your area with beach towels, beach balls and lawn chairs.

• Don’t have a pool in your backyard? Use a child’s pool.

• Don’t have a beach in your backyard? Make this fun “Beach Closed” sign – template and directions enclosed in mystery!

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• Construct a tiki hut! Instructions included in the mystery!

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LIGHTING

• Colorful paper lanterns can make the perfect decoration AND lighting!

• If throwing an outdoor party, don’t forget the bamboo tiki torches or the citronella torch candles. Both types of torches can be used to line the pathway leading to your party or placed strategically in an outdoor location. (Tiki torches can be used indoors, if not lit.)

• If throwing a party outside, light a fire in a fire pit.

• If throwing your party outside, consider having white twinkly lights so as the sun goes down, your ambience will light up!

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SETTING YOUR TABLE:

• Use beach towels as table cloths.

• Cover a table with green butcher paper and fray the edges to resemble a grass skirt.

• String together grass skirts to make the perfect table skirting! (Can be found inexpensively at your local dollar store when in season.)

• Use colorful buckets and beach pails to serve your food. Include a plastic shovel for the scooping.

• Display fresh fruit over fresh or fake greenery such as palm fronds or calla lily leaves on the center of the table. It will make an appealing and appetizing center display.

• Serve some of your munchies in sand pails, beach comber hats (lined with plastic wrap) or serve fresh fruit in a hollowed out pineapple or coconut shell.

• Make a cake and decorate it with a beach pail, shovel and other plastic beach accessories. Crush up vanilla sandwich cookies to make the sand to make an appetizing centerpiece and decoration!

• FRUIT(!) makes the perfect food AND centerpiece. Think of all the creative ways to serve and display it! (See our Pinterest pagefor more ideas!)

<<CHECK TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE IDEAS!!!  <<

CREATE A PHOTO SPOT!!!

Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

A few suggestions:

• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter”. These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.

o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).

o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

BACKDROP IDEAS for the tropical theme

• Make the palm trees (how-to instructions included in the mystery) to use in your background.

• Have everyone pose by your tiki bar!

• Take some white banner paper and paint your own beachy background.

• Set out some lawn chairs, drape them with bright, beach towels, sand pails, beach balls, etc.

• Make a large banner that says “Margaritaland.”

• Create a police line-up background and take mug shots of each of your guests.

• Have additional props for posing in pictures (leis, beachcomber hats, sunglasses, feather boas, sun hats, wild wigs, hula skirts, coconut bras, etc.).

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MENU SUGGESTIONS

Luau Menu— Nothing says relax and enjoyment like a luau. Find all of the authentic foods by clicking here.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken— Add a little seasoning of the Caribbean with some spicy jerk chicken.

Roast a Pig!— Set the mood and provide some great food for your guests. Do it yourself or hire a local company to do it.

Cheeseburgers in Paradise— Everyone will love this Jimmy Buffet inspired recipe.

Tropical Chicken Kebabs— A taste of the tropics to add to your menu. Especially good on the bbq.

FRUIT(!)makes the perfect food AND centerpiece. Think of all the creative ways to serve and display it!

(See our Pinterest pagefor more ideas!)

BEACHY CAKE: Make a cake and decorate it with a beach pail, shovel and other plastic beach accessories. Crush up vanilla sandwich cookies to make the sand to make an appetizing centerpiece and decoration!

MARGARITA CUPCAKES: Use the recipe included in your mystery to make these delicious desserts!

PALM TREE CAKE: Directions and template included in mystery packet!

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Serving drinks

• Included in the mystery are drink menus for tropical cocktails and mocktails to serve your guests.

• Hauoli Island Punch— Spiked or not, this fruity concoction is tropically tasteful.

• Rim your glasses to create a killer chiller (pictured below). Recipe and instructions included in the packet.

• Don’t forget to make glass charms for your glasses – templates included in mystery!

• Nothing is more colorful than jello-shots. Find everything you need to know(including recipes) here!

• Whatever you are serving, add it into your drink menu! (Included with the mystery.)

• Have fun and fruity garnishes for your drinks – limes, lemons, strawberries, oranges, pineapple, etc!

• Adorn your drink with a colorful umbrella or a flowered straw!

• Use a rubber raft or child’s wading pool to chill your beverages. Fill with ice and drinks.

<<CHECK TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE IDEAS!!!  <<

SETTING YOUR TABLE:

• Use beach towels as table cloths.

• Cover a table with green butcher paper and fray the edges to resemble a grass skirt.

• String together grass skirts to make the perfect table skirting! (Can be found inexpensively at your local dollar store when in season.)

• Use colorful buckets and beach pails to serve your food. Include a plastic shovel for the scooping.

• Display fresh fruit over fresh or fake greenery such as palm fronds or calla lily leaves on the center of the table. It will make an appealing and appetizing center display.

• Serve some of your munchies in sand pails, beach comber hats (lined with plastic wrap) or serve fresh fruit in a hollowed out pineapple or coconut shell.

• Make a cake and decorate it with a beach pail, shovel and other plastic beach accessories. Crush up vanilla sandwich cookies to make the sand to make an appetizing centerpiece and decoration!

• FRUIT(!)makes the perfect food AND centerpiece. Think of all the creative ways to serve and display it! (See our Pinterest pagefor more ideas!)

<<CHECK TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE IDEAS!!!  <<

Thematic Suggestions

On top of having a totally unique party – here are some more suggestions based on the theme that you have chosen!

BOTTLE INVITES:
Why not invite your guests to the party by sending a message in a bottle? This will increase the excitement for the party before it even starts! (Included with the mystery packet are specially designed mailing labels for these invites!) You can find a link to the bottle invites here.

LEI’ING YOUR GUESTS:
An inexpensive and fun way to really get your guests in the mood. Simply have your guests receive a lei at the entrance. This will ensure everyone has a “costume” – even those who didn’t weren’t planning on it!

LIMBO CONTEST:
To keep the party going, you may want to have a limbo area.

DON’T FORGET YOUR OWN SUMMER FAVORITES:
Break out your beach towels, lawn chairs, sand toys, and Hawaiian shirts. The simplest things that you have can quickly be turned into tablecloths, serving dishes, backdrops, and decorations!

<<CHECK TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE IDEAS!!!  <<

CREATE A PHOTO SPOT!!!

Give your guests an unforgettable souvenir by setting up a photo area where they can capture a picture of themselves in character.

A few suggestions:

• Pick a place where there will be good lighting.

• You can make it as elaborate or simple as you want.

• Accessories and decorations can make the difference. Have some extra props on hand that your guests can pose with.

• An easy way to create a background is to use a “scene setter”. These affordable rolls of images transform your room instantly and make for a good backdrop to your picture.

• Make sure there is enough room to fit everyone in to the frame.

• For individual shots of guests, designate someone to be in charge of pictures as your guests arrive.

o Consider your character list and which character would fit the role of taking the picture. Ie, if you want mug shots, perhaps ask the investigator to be in charge of taking the pictures.

• For a group picture, take one just before the introduction is read or right after the solution is read (before people may start heading out).

o These are two times when you can count on everyone being around and attentive.

BACKDROP IDEAS for the tropical theme

• Make the palm trees (how-to instructions included in the mystery) to use in your background.

• Have everyone pose by your tiki bar!

• Take some white banner paper and paint your own beachy background.

• Set out some lawn chairs, drape them with bright, beach towels, sand pails, beach balls, etc.

• Make a large banner that says “Margaritaland.”

• Create a police line-up background and take mug shots of each of your guests.

• Have additional props for posing in pictures (leis, beachcomber hats, sunglasses, feather boas, sun hats, wild wigs, hula skirts, coconut bras, etc.).

<<CHECK TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE IDEAS!!!  <<

For even more party planning ideas, check out our Murder In Margaritaland Pinterest Board here.

<< CLICK ON THE TABS TO THE LEFT FOR MORE RESOURCES <<

Once you order, in your mystery packet you will receive directions and/or printables to make unique and original decorations specific to your party!

Included will be:

• HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PALM TREES, TIKI HUT, BANNERS, TIKI BAR SIGN, AND MORE!
• SIGNS FOR AROUND THE RESORT
• EDITABLE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
• EDITABLE MENUS
• EDITABLE FOOD TABLE TENTS
• SIGNS (5 designs)
• KILLER CHILLERS
• TROPICAL DRINK MENUS (ALCOHOLIC AND NON)
• MARGARITA GLASS CHARMS
• MARGARITA CAKE RECIPES AND TEMPLATES

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Win a Free Party!

Each month we highlight one of our customers who has posted on our blog and award them a FREE party!

To get your $5 coupon AND be entered in the Party Of the Month contest for a chance to win a FREE party, please email nompartyofthemonth@gmail.com

Don’t forget to add all the important details and party highlights that made your party one to remember! We love to hear about all of the hard work you, as host, put into your party. From the decor to the food, costumes, whatever. As well as how you and your guests acted (and reacted!) throughout the night! Everything that made your party one your guests will never forget — tell us about it! And be sure to attach some pictures!!!

Upon submitting, we will email you back a coupon to use for $5 off your next party AND enter you in our “Party of the Month” contest, where you could win a FREE party! Once submitted, you will not have to resubmit, but will be entered EVERY MONTH until your party wins!

Check out some of our past winners here! Night of Mystery POM Blogs

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Click on the image to get to our Spotify Playlist for this party!