Your ultimate 2016 presidential election night party plan

While Americans will be busy at the polls voting for their next president on Tuesday, Canadians will be throwing some epic election-themed parties in support of their neighbours to the south.

But this election has been anything but anyone’s cup of tea. Described as embarrassing, divided, long, a mess, worrisome and frightening (among other things), it sounds like people from all over the world will be glad to see this election end.

So what better way to celebrate the end than to host an election-themed shindig?

Global News has put together a food, drink and playlist plan for all you election party hosts out there looking to turn a stressful night of poll watching into a good time with family and friends.

However, instead of proposing a one-size-fits-all approach, we thought it would be fun to present two party theme options: one for the Hillary Clinton supporters and another for the Donald Trump supporters.

So get your red, white and blue decorations out because it’s time to party.

The Hillary Clinton Party

Decorations: Incorporate the country’s three traditional colours but put a heavy emphasis on the blue — the Democratic Party’s identifying colour. Don’t forget to also use the official symbol of the political party: a donkey. Pin the Tail on the Donkey anyone? And if you and your guests really want to up it a notch, dress in some of your finest pant suits.

Food: When it comes to food, we drew inspiration from the top six states that are traditionally considered to vote democrat. Below are some suggestions of dishes that are known to be a favourite or part of the official food repertoire of the individual states.

1. Washington: Red raspberry anything — pie, cheesecake or leave the fruit as is as a healthy bite-sized snack.
2. Minnesota: Hotdish (pronounced hoddish). It’s a casserole made with creamy vegetables topped with tater tots. It’s often considered a staple party dish in the state.
3. Oregon: Marionberry pie.
4. California: Sourdough bread with grape or avocado spread.
5. Rhode Island: Calamari. They can be presented in bite-sized portions, which makes for a great hoeur d’oeuvres .
6. New York: That’s an easy one… Pizza!

Other states to draw inspiration from include:

• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Wisconsin
• Maine
• Illinois

See a full list of other states considered to be democrat.

Drinks: Keeping within the blue theme, we’ve suggested some blue-coloured drinks that are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic (for the kids, of course).

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1. Blue Crush (alcoholic): Fill a tall glass with ice then mix 1 oz of blueberry vodka, 2 oz of Hpnotiq liqueur and a splash of lemonade and club soda. Garnish with four blueberries and mint.
2. Blue Breeze (alcoholic): Fill a tall glass with ice and add 2 oz of Hpnotiq liqueur, 1 oz of coconut rum, a splash of pineapple juice and stir. Top it up with club soda and garnish with an orange twist.
3. Hawaiian Punch (non-alcoholic)

Check out more drink ideas.

The Playlist: What would a party be without music? We’ve compiled a list of songs either used by Clinton during her campaign or that have appeared on the candidate’s official Spotify playlist that you and your guests can use to dance the night away.

1. Nasty – Janet Jackson
2. Roar – Katy Perry
3. Fight Song – Rachel Platten
4. Formation – Beyoncé
5. Run the World (Girls) – Beyoncé
6. What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger) – Kelly Clarkson
7. I Feel Good – James Brown
8. Dirt Off Your Shoulder – Jay Z
9. Brave – Sara Bareilles
10. Let’s Get Loud – Jennifer Lopez

Global’s suggested bonus track: Hit me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar

 The Donald Trump Party

Decorations: Represent the Republican Party by decorating in the traditional American colours with emphasis on the red (the party’s identifying colour). Also think about incorporating elephants, the party’s official party symbol. Take your party to the next level by getting your guests to all wear a red tie — a fashion staple Trump has been known to sport throughout his campaign.

Food: Much like our picks for the Clinton party food selection, we have chosen to highlight foods from states that have traditionally been known as republican.  Here are the top six:

1. Alabama: Fried chicken. It’s a staple and comfort food in any southern state.
2. Alaska: Salmon.
3. Idaho: Anything potato. The state is known for its potato production so you can’t go wrong with fries, taters, mashed or scalloped or any variation thereof for your party.
4. Kansas: If there’s one thing mid-westerners love, it’s sour cream and raisin pie.
5. Mississippi: Mississippi mud pie. Need we say more? You also can’t go wrong with BBQ ribs.
6. Nebraska: Runza sandwiches. They are pockets of dough filled with ground beef and sometimes cheese and vegetables like onions and cabbage.

Other states to draw inspiration from include:

• Oklahoma
• Utah
• Wyoming
• South Carolina
• Texas
• North Dakota

For a full list of states considered to be republican click here.

Drinks: Forget the blue-coloured drinks and show your support for Trump by serving red-coloured cocktails.

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1. 3-0 French Kiss (alcoholic): Shake 1 oz of grape vodka, ½ oz of vanilla vodka and a splash of cranberry juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of lime.
2. Frozen Southern Hurricane (alcoholic): blend 2 oz of Southern Comfort, six strawberries, 1 oz orange juice, 1 oz grenadine and ½ cup of crushed ice until smooth. Pour into a hurricane glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry and lime slice.
3. Fruit Punch (non-alcoholic)

Here’s some more drink ideas.

The Playlist: Lending from Trump’s music on the campaign trail and his official Spotify playlist, here is the perfect playlist for Trump supporters.

1. Start Me Up – Rolling Stones
2. We’re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister
3. Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
4. We Are the Champions – Queen
5. Revolution – The Beatles
6. Eye of the Tiger– Survivor
7. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
8. It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) – R.E.M.
9. Rocket Man – Elton John
10. Dream On – Aerosmith

Global’s suggested bonus track: For the Love of Money – The O’Jays