If there’s one thing Texans love, it's celebrating our Texas pride. After all, everything is bigger (and better) in Texas! For all of our Texan party planners, we’ve compiled a guide to throwing a Texas-themed party your guests will never forget.
Barbecue
Step 1: You can’t have a Texas-themed party without some authentic Texas barbecue. For all things, brisket, sausage, and more, these are our favorite authentic Texas spots.
Terry Black’s Barbecue
If you’re local to Austin like us, chances are you’ve had the opportunity to get your hands on this legendary Texas barbecue (If not, now is your time!). Terry Black’s caters parties for 100+ guests, starting at $44 per person and decreasing in price as the guest count increases. For more information, visit their catering website.
Cooper’s Old Time Pit
Another Austin favorite with additional locations in College Station, Fort Worth, Llano, and New Braunfels, Cooper’s is an amazing choice to get your guests some authentic Texas barbecue. For more information, you can inquire on their catering website as well.
The Salt Lick
Famous enough to have locations in both the Austin and DFW airports, Texans can’t seem to get enough of Salt Lick barbecue. With stand alone locations in both Driftwood and Round Rock, this authentic spot is unique in that it also ships barbecue to the lower 48 states, so if you’re a Texan who has left home, you can still cook up some Texas barbecue for your party guests. Visit their website for more information.
Texas Drinks
You can’t have Texas barbecue without some fun drinks to accompany it– if Texans love two things, it’s barbecue and booze.
Texas Margaritas
A tried and true Texas favorite, you simply can’t throw a real Texas party without margaritas. Just five ingredients (including tequila and salt), this Southern Living recipe is our favorite, and sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Lone Star Beer
The “national beer of Texas,” Lone Star beers have been keeping Texans hydrated and happy since the 1880s. Enough said.
Micheladas
Easy, refreshing, and undeniably a Texas favorite, Micheladas are another perfect option to beat the Texas heat. Fun and easy to make, this Southern Living recipe is our favorite.
Texas Ranch Water
Containing even less ingredients than the previously mentioned cocktails, you can’t possibly go wrong with Texas Ranch Water. Made from tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico, this drink won’t cause a sugar-induced hangover, and is always a refreshing crowd favorite. Check out our favorite recipe here.
Texas Sweet Tea
For a non-alcoholic option, sweet tea is always a safe bet with a crowd of Texans. Whether store-bought or homemade, this Texas classic drink is perfect for party guests of all ages.
Texas Party Sets
You can’t have Texas-themed dinner and drinks without decking out your tables in Texas flags, bandanas, and all things Texas. We have linked just a few of our favorites in the list below. You just can’t eat barbecue on anything other than Texas flag plates, and you’re definitely going to need a few Texas flag napkins to go with them. To keep your Lone Stars cold, Texas koozies are both useful and cute, and also make a great party favor for your guests to take home. If you’re looking for some extra table decoration, this bandana tablecloth pulls together the Texas look. For you sit-down tables, Whataburger actually sells custom table tents on their website based on occasion, and we can’t think of a more true Texan way to decorate.
Activities
Whether you’re taking the fun out into the Texas heat, or celebrating indoors, there are plenty of fun activities to plan for your guests of all ages.
Custom Hat Station
A custom hat station is the perfect activity for any Texas-themed party. This one is especially fun, because you can do it at any price-range. For a cheap and easy craft, you can order a set of party hats and make a craft station to cover them in ribbons, pins, and any other accessories you may want. If you’re looking for a nicer option for your guests to go home with, Austin has plenty of services that will set up a custom hat bar for your guests, such as Fleastyle’s mobile hat bar.
Photo Booth
Another fun and easily customizable activity is a photo booth. Whether you’re planning to hang up your own backdrop and take the photos yourself, or looking to a local photo booth rental, this is a fun addition to any party. We recommend adding some fun Texas-themed props to make your photos unique and memorialize your Texas party forever.
Outdoor Games
If you are braving the Texas heat (or cold) for this party, outdoor games are another great way to keep guests entertained. You can’t go wrong with Texas favorites like horseshoes or cornhole.
Line Dancing
Our personal favorite, line dancing never misses with a big Texas crowd. While this can be done anywhere and any way, we don’t think any Texas-themed party is complete without some live country music, which brings me to my next point:
Live Music
You can’t line dance without country music, and there is none better than a live cover band to dance with you. No party is truly complete without a live band, especially in Texas. Our personal favorite, Gone to Texas Band, never fails to get the party started and keep everyone two-stepping all night long.
If your Texas-themed party is a little more chill, the live music doesn’t have to stop. A solo singer and guitar player can add some slightly more mellow, but still Texas-themed, fun to your event.
Party Favors
After dancing the night away to their favorite country music, your guests can’t go home empty handed. Party favors are the perfect way to truly top off an unforgettable night.
A cost-conscious, yet super cute favor that everyone will love is a bandana. They’re cute, fun, and easy to buy in bulk. Another cute and cheap option is cowboy boot shot glasses. You can order tons of these, and they are a perfect little keepsake to remind your guests of their fun night. Similarly, you could send your guests off with mini alcohol shooters topped with mini cowboy hats. They come in every color, making it easy to fit the exact theme you’re going for. A personal favorite trend I have seen for party favors is a late night snack. Every Texan loves their Whataburger fries, especially after a long night of drinking and dancing. If you send your guests home with their favorite french fries, we guarantee they'll rave about this party for years to come.
So, whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or simply your Texas pride, we hope this guide helps make your Texas-themed party the biggest (and best) bash of the year!