Presidents Day Party Ideas: 10+ Creative Ways to Celebrate America’s Leaders
Presidents Day brings a welcome chance in February to liven up the winter doldrums with some good old American-style celebrating. Presidents Day party ideas range from the dignified to the totally wacky. With a little creativity, you can plan an occasion that both youngsters and elders will enjoy while brushing up on some history.
So read on for decor, menu, activity and game ideas to make your Presidents Day party one that guests will remember for years.
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Get Into a Presidential Spirit
When organizing a Presidents Day party ideas celebration, consider choosing a particular president or first lady as your inspiration. Decorate your party space with images and symbols from that era. For example, Abraham Lincoln stringing together his famous log cabin or Jackie Kennedy redecorating the White House in elegant French style work beautifully as motifs.
You may opt to go multicultural and explore the heritage associated with a specific president. Serve New England clam chowder and cherry pie for George and Martha Washington. Cue up mariachi music and taco bar fixings to celebrate Ronald Reagan granting amnesty to immigrants.
Decorate the Venue from Stem to Stern
Bunting, flags, and other patriotic paraphernalia make up the bulk of Presidents Day party ideas decor. Display portraits of both famous and forgotten leaders. Ask guests to identify unknown presidential facts from the images.
Set a stately mood with crimson table linens and napkins. Scatter gold foil confetti stars across the tables for a perfect concession to rambunctious youngsters dying to pick up shiny objects.
Food That Even a President Could Love
For the menu, raid presidential recipes both savory and sweet. First Lady Dolley Madison’s dense oatmeal cookies taste delicious alongside Michelle Obama’s White House honey ale.
Abe Lincoln’s country boy tastes show up in his published cornbread cake baked in an iron skillet. Serve healthier options like FDR’s Depression-era black bean soup too.
Engage Guests with Presidential Trivia
Liven up the party midpoint with some fun Presidents Day party ideas for trivia questions. Keep them breezy with brainteasers like “Which president jogged the halls of the White House in his bathrobe?” (John Quincy Adams) or “Which First Lady banned alcohol from the White House?” (Lucy Webb Hayes)
Up the stakes with a bell-ringing game. Award silly prizes like $5 bills with presidential portraits for correct answers. Dollar store items like flag deely bobbers (that’s the technical term!) or foam “#1” hands add to the fun.
Party Like It’s the 20th Century
If your crew tends towards wilder festivities, a themed bash takes your Presidents Day party ideas up a notch. A 70s disco inferno highlights Jimmy Carter’s campaign for president. Dance off to “One Nation Under a Groove” in your best platform heels and bell bottoms.
Channel Clinton-era cool with a saxophone karaoke machine. Dress in Seattle grunge flannels to dive into 90s culture. Create a selfie station with chunky mobile phones and other props for laughs.
Add Some Educational Elements
While keeping your attendees engaged and entertained, look for opportunities to incorporate some gentle learning. Short five-minute mini-talks about turning points in American political history encourage both kids and adults to reflect.
Before your event draws to an end, gather everyone to share a favorite presidential quote, fact, or memory. These simple conversations light the spark to learn more.
Decor That Brings Presidential History Alive
Presidents Day party ideas for decor need not cost a fortune or require creative genius. With some clever shortcuts, your space can shine red, white and blue in short order.
Patriotic Colors for Celebrating America
Flying the flag always feels appropriate for this star-spangled national holiday honoring our commanders-in-chief. If Old Glory has seen better days, pick up inexpensive banners, runners, napkins and plates boasting patriotic colors.
Check party outlets post-holiday for deep discounts on Fourth of July gear. Use what you can for your February fete.
Portraits of Presidents Past and Present
Mountaintop George Washington crossing the Delaware River makes an imposing focal point, especially enlarged and poster-sized. Framed prints of Abe Lincoln or John Kennedy add gravitas yet keep the mood light.
Snap pics of past presidents off government sites or presidential libraries online. Print a few 8×10 photos on card stock. Prop portrait posters on easels or lean against bookcases for easy yet elegant décor. The Presidents Day party ideas are endless.
Red, White and Blue Centerpieces
Skip expensive floral centerpieces in favor of inexpensive all-American icons. Scour hobby shops for wooden sailboats, silver stars, and mini flags on dowels. Group pieces tightly and elevate in glass hurricane vases or jars swathed in patriotic ribbon.
Scatter red or blue glass beads across the table for added color and dimension. Nestle battery-operated tea lights in white dishes filled with river rocks or marbles embedded in acrylic gems for an instant centerpiece.
Food and Drink Ideas with a Presidential Twist
How to craft a menu starring delicious Presidents Day party ideas that are both hearty and healthy? Let history—and a dose of humor—guide you.
Lean on Founding Fathers’ Favorites
Fill your table with Colonial-era treats like hoecakes hot off the griddle, New England clam chowder, and wild berry cobbler. Martha Washington’s overnight bread pudding makes a deliciously sweet addition.
For caffeinated beverages, consider serving Blackout Coffee‘s small-batch roasts like the popular Brewtal Awakening or Morning Reaper blends. Made with 100% Arabica beans, they offer delicious flavor without any artificial ingredients. Take advantage of these Blackout Coffee coupons to get the best prices on beans, grounds, or single-serve pods – perfect for a large Presidents Day party.
You can also blend president-inspired options like John Adams’ hard cider, Dolly Madison’s heady rum punch, or Thomas Jefferson’s French Bordeaux wines. Just be sure to provide plenty of non-alcoholic drinks like coffee, tea and juice so all your guests can partake.
Modernize Menus to Amuse and Delight
Bring presidential preferences up to date with clever interpretations of traditional regional cuisine. Hello, Southwestern tamales in honor of Texas native Lyndon B. Johnson! Fingerling potato and leaks soup salutes Ronald Reagan’s Irish roots.
Cater to current food sensitivities by providing gluten-free and dairy-free selections like Jackie Kennedy’s chilled avocado soup. Her coconut cake also qualifies as vegan. Everyone can be a foodie—and learn history too.
Liven Up Your Party with Presidential Games
Laugh while you learn about former world leaders and events that shaped our shared American history. Sprinkle these presidential games and activities throughout your party program to keep your guests smiling and engaged for hours.
Pepper Presidents Trivia with Prizes
Flex your guests’ memories with a goofy game like “Which President Would You Most Want to Share Your Foxhole?” Make it multiple choice for extra fun. Award small prizes for correct answers like patriotic Slinkies, presidential Pez dispensers, or packs of thematic stickers.
Up the stakes with high-low betting on how many US presidents sported facial hair or wore eyeglasses. Hand out bingo cards beforehand featuring both common and obscure presidential facts. Games are a gateway to effortless edification.
Share Funniest Stories from Oval Office Lore
We often forget US presidents themselves cracked jokes and pulled pranks like ordinary folks. Have partygoers interject presidential humor by taking turns sharing their favorite bits from reputable biographies and history books.
Put bizarre scandals like Grover Cleveland’s secret tumor surgery or Bill Clinton’s infamous relations making headlines on index cards. Draw randomly and challenge guests to dramatize the events for 60 riotous seconds. History repeats itself both poignantly and preposterously.
Finish Your Presidents Day Party Ideas with Patriotic Symbols
Send your party guests home with small patriotic mementos to remember your stellar, history-making fête. Stars, stripes and presidential seals encapsulate American pride with panache.
Tiny American Flags on Spear Toothpicks
Nothing says USA! quite as eloquently as the iconic stars and stripes. Mount good old red, white and blue pennant flags on frilly toothpicks and arrange in miniature flowerpots painted in patriotic colors.
This makes an ideal parting gift for your Presidents Day party ideas celebration attendees. Alternately, serve crusty artisanal bread and cubed cheeses on a large platter garnished with dozens of miniature flags. Both ideas score style points through simplicity.
Presidential Seal Stickers and Bookmarks
Search online print shops for inexpensive options like metallic gold presidential seals reproduced as round stickers or die-cut bookmarks. At a few pennies per piece, these little gems make the perfect party favor.
Print a more unique icon like George Washington’s family crest onto Avery labels using your home printer. Adhere to thick card stock sliced into bookmark shapes or standard return address labels. The recipients will appreciate these tailored mementos referencing your chosen presidential motif.
Whether your Presidents Day party ideas theme tips towards tricorn hats or taco bars, a bit of creativity coupled with American can-do spirit ensures your event’s success.
