A beach-themed party is the perfect way to bring the sun, sand, and surf to any event. It's no wonder these parties are a hit for summer events—they offer a relaxing, tropical vibe that's hard ...

Summer or winter, waterside or land locked — a beach-theme party is always a good choice ... they let you experiment with classic '90s foods — because the after-school snacks of this era ...

Ashley Day is Food & Wine's associate editorial director ... from an expat living in Italy, and throwing a beach-themed party like you're in Miami, with a checklist from local chefs.