Create a luau complete with tropical centerpieces.
Adding a centerpiece to a table at a luau takes a simple party to new heights. A centerpiece can add tropical flair to make an average luau feel more realistic. Using fruit, flowers or other crafting supplies, make your own centerpieces to dress up your next luau party.
Pineapples
Pineapples are a native Hawaiian fruit that grow throughout the islands. Make an edible display with pineapple as the star. Choose three terra cotta flowerpots and terra cotta saucers in three different sizes. Stack the pieces, alternating saucers and flower. Start with the largest saucer and add the largest flowerpot on top. Continue stacking in descending size, ending with the smallest flowerpot on top. Set an uncut pineapple in the flowerpot and fresh-cut tropical fruit on the saucers. Alternatively, make a pineapple by shaping chicken wire into the shape of a pineapple. Cover the chicken wire structure with papier mache. Paint the finished structure to look like a pineapple and stick silk leaves in the top to finish it.
Flowers
Recreate the tropical feel of the Hawaiian islands using floral decorations. Choose silk or fresh-cut flowers and create a homemade floral centerpiece. Arrange flowers such as plumeria, birds of paradise or hibiscus in bright containers. You can also use either fresh flowers or silk blooms to create homemade leis. String the flowers onto pieces of thread and drape the flowers around the table.
Beach
Bring the feel of a tropical beach to the table using real sand. Mound sand up in the center of the table and accent it with seashells, starfish, sunglasses and tiny umbrellas. You could also build a sand castle or sculpture on the table and drape a lei around it.
Fish
Tropical fish in different shapes, colors and sizes fill the waters off Hawaii. Fill small glass bowls with water, tint the water with a drop of blue food coloring and place small, plastic tropical fish in the bowls. Alternatively, for a larger centerpiece, choose a larger aquarium and fill it with live saltwater fish.
Edible Arrangement
Use the luau foods to create an edible arrangement. Mound a small pile of sand on a large table and line it with banana leaves. Place a roasted pig in the center of the leaves. Place your dinner accompaniments, such as poi and tropical fruit around the pig in serving bowls.
Tags: chicken wire, create homemade, leaves Place, terra cotta, tropical fruit