Today, I’m so excited to share some photos (disclaimer – not the best photos on the planet since I was too busy playing hostess) about our summer theme murder mystery party. We used the Murder in Margaritaland murder mystery party. But these ideas could be used for any murder mystery party with a summer theme, Hawaiian luau, or tropical theme.

Last year, I didn’t host one murder mystery party – for the first time in five years. They’ve become my thing – something I really enjoy doing. Unfortunately, I was overwhelmed with being a new mommy while working full time and with writing my thesis.

Choosing a Murder Mystery Game with a Summer Theme – Hawaian Luau, Tropical Theme Party, or Island Theme Party

After going back and forth on a few different murder mystery party themes, I am pleased with the game I wound up buying from Night of Mystery. The “Murder in Margaritaland” tropical theme is perfect for a summer theme. In a lot of ways, this murder mystery party was easier to plan than some of the others I have hosted. Tropical costumes and food are pretty easy to put together. Likewise, tropical decor is everywhere this time of year – even at the dollar stores.

Murder mystery game sites such as Night of Mystery, My Mystery Party, or have tons of choices. Some other games I would like to try in the future are A Hawaiian Homicide,  Murder in Maui, Murder at the Luau, and Pandemonium at the Poolside.

Decorating for a Summer Theme Murder Mystery Party – Hawaiian Luau, Tropical Theme Party, or Island Theme Party

I found the cutest little summer theme signs at Dollar Tree. They were the perfect budget-friendly decorations for a tropical party.

Decorations for the Food Tables

More Decoration Ideas for a Tropical Party Theme

Tropical theme party incorporate a lot of elements of nature.

• Bananas
• Coconuts
• Hibiscus flowers
• Palms
• Tropical plants such as bromeliads
• Raffia as table linen or table skirts

Tip: Setting a party theme goes beyond decorating for what we can see with our eyes. Buy tropical scented candles or melting wax to make your home smell like a tropical paradise.

Food for a Summer Theme Party – Hawaian Luau, Island Theme Party or Tropical Theme Party

We usually go potluck style for every murder mystery party. The Hubs and I usually do an entree, a special drink, and sometimes a dessert. Our guests bring appetizers, side dishes, and additional desserts. We always do themed foods as that brings so much more authenticity to the atmosphere.

On our tropical menu for Murder in Margaritaland, we had pineapple chicken, platanos maduros, mango and lime rice, fruit salad, berry salad with strawberry vinaigrette, and bread. My mom would cringe if she saw that I had overcooked the plantains a bit. She can cook those suckers in her sleep.

For dessert, we had my key lime pie and pistachio dream cake. Since I was going to be in hostess mode and playing a character at the same time (which is difficult), I knew there would be no time for blending up margaritas all night. Instead, I made this margarita punch, which turned out to be pretty good. I made a virgin version for us preggos and for anyone else who wanted it.

Walmart has an awesome tropical trail mix. I set out bowls of that around the house. These were great little tropical appetizers for our island theme party.

More Food Ideas for a Tropical Party Theme

• Fruit kabobs
• Salad bar
• Grilled chicken
• Pineapple boats of fruit salad or chicken salad
• Watermelon pizza
• Pineapple-Coconut Icebox Pie
• Ice cream float bar with tropical flavors like Pineapple Orange Ice Cream Floats

A Cocktail Bar for a Summer Theme Party

No doubt, a cocktail bar area is a very important part of the script for Murder in Margaritaland as there are considerable scenes involving a cocktail bar.

We had planned to move our patio table inside to serve as a bar. It is an actual tall bar/table that looks kind of like a tiki bar. However, when considering how crowded it would have made our entertaining space, I had to modify and adjust.

As soon as we finished dinner, I cleared the kitchen table, added some liquor and a “drink of the day” sign for props, and moved two of the chairs away so that the guest playing the “bartender” in the game could have his bar. It worked out just fine.

Seriously, our bartender added much character to the game with his fake cigarette and bottle.

Costumes for a Summer Theme Murder Mystery Party – Hawaiian Luau, Island Party, or Tropical Party

This was the second murder mystery party in a row in which I was pregnant. You would think I would have learned the last time. As though finding a costume is not difficult enough, try finding a costume when you are six or seven months pregnant. Not easy!

Luckily, because this was a tropical theme, the costumes were much more casual and simple than usual. I managed to find my dress at the Goodwill the week before for $3.00. It looks like the kind of thing someone probably bought while on vacation and brought home only to never wear again. Certainly, it came in handy for me, though! My floppy hat is rimmed with dirt and sunscreen from last year’s beach trip and accidentally missed our last junk clean-out. At least it worked out for my costume.

Sadly, I must admit that The Hubs did not find his fish shirt at the Goodwill. I’ve fought him tooth and nail over the years to throw that thing out of his closet! Finally, a needed purpose for this shirt!

Luckily, my friends gave permission for me to post their photos so I could highlight some other tropical costumes.

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No doubt, you will want to check out my 10 tips for hosting a murder mystery party! It’s not all easy peasy but it is so much fun! You might also want to check out my ideas for an 80s theme murder mystery party!

I had so much fun with Murder at Margaritaland, I’m already thinking out the next murder mystery party!