As participants arrived, we gave them their "swag bags" (gift bags) first. These contained eyepatches, pirate swords, red handkerchiefs, and pirate hats. Guests were urged to don their piratical accessories at once, the better to create the mood. Thereafter, the empty "swag bags" were used to store dubloons awarded as prizes for games throughout the party.  we offered face-painting services - a scurrilous selection of scars, beards, curling mustaches, and skull-and-crossbone "tattoos" to complete their piratical disguise.