Give each guest a lei to wear at your Hawaiian theme party.
Hawaiian parties (sometimes called luau parties) lend themselves to any outdoor party, including pool parties, birthday parties, receptions or even family reunions. This theme works best in the summer, as it mimics the sights, sounds and foods of Hawaii. If you can't throw your party in Hawaii, do the next best thing. Bring the tropical islands to your party with a Hawaiian theme. Does this Spark an idea?
Decorations
Set the stage for a fun time in the tropics by decorating with a Hawaiian feel. If you have real palm trees, decorate them with colorful lights for a festive look. Or, rent blow-up palm trees from a party supply store and set them around the party venue. Line pathways with tiki torches. Make sure they are very sturdy if you are going to light them, however, and keep young children away from the lit torches. Use strips of fake grass to create distinctive table runners. Lean real or cardboard surfboards up against the walls. Colorful silk flower arrangements can also lend a tropical air to your Hawaiian-themed party. Finally, welcome each guest with a traditional lei.
Games and Activities
Get in the spirit of the islands by playing some Hawaiian music and having a hula contest. Use hula hoops, or just ask the guests to try to do the hula dance as best they can. This activity works especially well for younger guests who won't mind getting into the spirit of things. A limbo contest is equally fun. Or, give your guests a souvenir of the party by having them pose for a picture on a surfboard. If you don't have a real surfboard, a decorated ironing board will do. Place it over a blue tarp and ask the guests to give you their best surfer dude pose. Younger children will enjoy a Hawaiian craft. Try making tropical flowers out of tissue paper and attaching them to straw hats.
Food
Serve a "pupu" (Hawaiian for appetizer) platter of fresh fruits and cheeses. Asking your young guests if they would like some "pupu" will be sure to evoke screams of laughter. Set up a bar area, and offer your guests fresh fruit smoothies made to order. Decorate each smoothie with a colorful paper umbrella and a slice of coconut. Or, serve fresh coconut milk in halved coconuts for a novel treat. Pork is a traditional favorite at Hawaiian-themed parties. Try grilling skewers of pieces of pork alternated with chunks of pineapple.
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