A do-it-yourself luau brings your guests a taste of the tropics.
Many people dream of partying in Hawaii, but the accompanying price tag is usually a bit of a downer. The good news is that you don't have to go all the way to the tropics to enjoy a luau with friends and family. With a little ingenuity and planning, you can create a Hawaiian luau that will make your guests feel as though they spent an evening in the islands. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Decorate your yard or party space with Hawaiian-themed accessories. If your party is outside, tiki torches are a nice touch and can be lit at twilight. Garlands of fresh or silk hibiscus flowers lend an authentic tropical look. Raffia or grass skirts can be re-purposed as doorway trimmings or secured around the edge of each table for an added touch. If your party is being held inside, you can decorate the walls with pre-printed wall hangings (found at party supply stores) that depict pictures of sandy beaches, palm trees and ocean views. Plates, cutlery, napkins and tablecloths should be bright colors that evoke a tropical feel, such as pink, orange, green or turquoise.
2. Greet each guest as they arrive with a flower lei and an "aloha." Fresh flower leis would be particularly authentic if you have the budget. Otherwise, you can purchase inexpensive fabric or plastic leis at almost any party store. If you have children present at the party, give them a grass skirt to put on as well.
3. Give each guest fruit juice, or a fruit juice-based cocktail in a glass garnished with a slice of pineapple on the rim and a paper umbrella.
4. Serve traditional Hawaiian food as much as possible. Whole pigs are often roasted at luaus, but this can be difficult in smaller parties. Compromise by serving pulled pork sandwiches complimented by a Hawaiian-style sauce, such as one with a pineapple juice or brown sugar base. Shrimp or other seafood is another option for a main course. Fresh tropical fruit should also be on the menu, such as mangoes, pineapple, coconut, bananas and oranges. If you can find poi at your local specialty foods store, you can treat your guests to an unfamiliar but authentic taste of Hawaii.
5. Help your guests get into the spirit by playing some island-based games. Have a local hula expert give a short lesson on hula dancing and let your guests try out their new skills. If actually learning the hula is not possible, compromise by holding a hula hoop contest. The guest who keeps their hula hoop up the longest wins a prize. The limbo is another party game that most are familiar with and allows everyone to get involved.
Tags: your guests, each guest, hula hoop, your party