Children can make the perfect centerpiece for your Hawaiian-themed party.
In February of 2011, Hawaii hosted 593,018 tourists, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The popular destination has inspired themed parties, which use Hawaiian icons to symbolize the tropical Pacific island. Children can make Hawaiian-themed centerpieces for your theme party with the following ideas.
Shells
Let children collect shells from the beach, or buy them from a store. Assemble the shells on a mirror or in a glass bowl. You can include sand, but make sure the sand is confined so that it doesn't make a mess. You can use a large conch shell as the focal point. Colorful sea glass can help embellish your centerpiece.
Flowers
Hawaii is famous for its tropical flowers. Select a vase for your centerpiece, and fill the vase with a cut palm frond, completely submerged in water. Let your children create a bouquet using plucked heads of gardenias, orchids, plumeria, tulip tree flowers and shell ginger. You can substitute colored marbles or sea glass for the palm frond, which adds a nice decorative touch to the vase.
Pineapples
Pineapples were introduced to Hawaii in 1813 and have become one of the largest and most profitable crops for the state. The large fruit can become a focal point of a centerpiece. Cut a small hole in the top of the leaf and insert a candlestick. You can also cut a hole into the side of a pineapple and illuminate it with a tea light candle.
If you don't want to use a candle, simply use the pineapple as the focal point and spread other fruits or a Hawaiian lei around the spiny fruit.
Candles
Use hurricane candle holders to decorate your table. You can fill the bottoms with shells or smooth rocks. Add a few flowers, and fill the holders with water so that the flowers are submerged. If you are using flower heads, you will need to add wire to secure them to the bottom of the candle holders; otherwise they will float to the top. For a finishing touch, add a floating candle to the top, which can be lit for ambiance.
Tags: focal point, candle holders, Children make, palm frond, your centerpiece