Theme Party: Dominos

By Yelena Jenkins
DominosThe Domino Effect

Summer is not only the perfect time for picnics and barbeques; it's the season to host elaborate theme parties. We've covered Bastille Day, Around the World Parties, Murder Mysteries and Island Getaway. Now we have tips on how to host a fun black and white-themed "Dominos" party. We've covered everything from B&W décor to fabulous food and drink:

Domino Décor

Martha Stewart's Tissue Paper Pom PomsDecorate with Martha Stewart's Tissue Paper Pom Poms.

Indoor & Outdoor

  • Add a vintage flair by hanging old black and white movie posters on the walls.
  • Create 10 tissue paper pom poms (à la domestic guru Martha Stewart) and hang them at varying heights from the ceiling. The round shape will mirror the dots on a domino.
  • If you're hosting the party outdoors, hang outdoor paper lanterns to create the same effect.
  • Scatter black and white mini tea candles around the party area for more of a domino feel.
  • Buy a few yards of black and white fabric at a wholesale warehouse. Cut them to fit your pillows and simply pin the fabric together on the back for a great look that's easy to remove the next day.

StckCreate a killer entrance to your home: A Domino Effect Path. Here's how:

  1. Buy 20 - 30 rectangular cardboard boxes approximately twice as tall as they are wide, with a depth half the size of the width (Height x Width x Depth = 4:2:1).
  2. Buy black and white spray paint and paint half the boxes black and half the boxes white.
  3. Using a large circle and line stencil, spray paint on dots and lines to mimic the look of a domino.
  4. To keep the boxes from blowing over, add a few heavy rocks in the bottom before you seal each one.
  5. Finally, line both sides of the path to your home with your oversized dominos, placing them in well-spaced rows.

Tables

Create beautiful themed tables with the following:

  • Alternate covering dinner tables in black and white tablecloths. If you have one large dining table, choose a tablecloth with a modern black and white design.
  • Set the table using only black and white colored plates, napkins and accessories, and alternate the schemes from setting to setting.
  • Provide candlelight with a black candelabra or candlesticks with white candles.
  • Complete the lovely ambiance with plenty of white flowers (try roses, peonies, hydrangea and tulips) along with vases of "black" looking flowers like dark red cala lillies, deep purple "Queen of the Night" tulips and velvet variety roses.
gdoOther Fun Theme Parties:

Food

The trickiest part about keeping up the black and white theme is deciding on food. Here are a few unconventional ideas:

  • Grill a white fish like Halibut, making sure that each side has a few black char marks from the barbeque.
  • Create a white bean soup, or provide a stark contrast by mixing dark kale leaves with white beans for a side dish.
  • Rice is always an easy "white" side to serve!
  • Caribbean black beans are another delicious side for your halibut.
  • For the bread, try using rye and ciabatta rolls for contrasting colors.
  • Dessert is the fun, easy part. Either do it buffet style with classic black and white favorites like S'mores, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oreo's, Hostess Cupcakes and milk, or create a signature dessert just for the occasion.
  • If you're creating a large cake, consider decorating the outside like a domino - it's easy and keeps dessert perfectly on-theme! For simpler desserts, bake chocolate and white cake cupcakes and frost them with the opposite color frosting, or create an amazing Death by Chocolate Layered Mouse in a clear bowl that shows off the contrasting layers.

Drink

Keep a few standby favorites on hand, but also create signature black and white drinks for your guests to enjoy. Here are some that will go well with the Domino theme (recipes below courtesy of Drinksmixer.com):

  • White Russian
  • Black Russian
  • Black Christmas
  • Espresso Martini

White Russian:

Ingredients

2 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
light cream

Preparation

Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Fill with light cream and serve.
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Black Russian :

Ingredients

1 shot vodka
1 shot Kahlua coffee liqueur
1 dash Coca-Cola
1 dash Guinness stout

Preparation

Pour vodka in glass followed by the Kahlua. Add the dash of coke (to taste) and stir. Top up the glass with guinness and serve.

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Black Christmas:

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz black sambuca
6 oz eggnog

Preparation

Mix black sambuca into a highball glass filled with 6 ounces of eggnog. Stir, and serve.
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Espresso Martini Recipe:

Ingredients

1 oz cold espresso
1 1/2 oz Absolut vodka
1 1/2 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur
1 oz white creme de cacao

Preparation

Pour ingredients into shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into chilled martini glass. It should be somewhat frothy.

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