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A Luscious Luau Party!Luaus are one of our favorite parties here at USA--they are colorful, fun and the food is fabulous (what more is there to a luau, except cool tropical drinks?). So, if you ask me, I think planning a luau is a great way to have a party. Limbo on down the page and check it out... Invitation: Make a flier or buy a luau invitation at your local party/stationery store, but instead of sending it alone, prove you're creative and include a flower hair comb for the ladies and a flower wrist bracelet for the men. Tell them they must wear the enclosed pieces on their bodies somewhere, and that you want them to dress luau-creative. That will get them talking long before the party! Outside Entrance: To make a grand entrance, place bamboo tiki torches outside your door as the first indication to your guests that this is going to be the luau to remember. You may even want to adorn your porch rail or doorway with parrot and/or palm tree lights for a festive effect. Add a CD player with island music (aloha or luau) to create the perfect atmosphere. If you are really adventurous and can stand the ridicule and neighbor gossip, use pink flamingos to adorn your front yard or line them up the driveway or front sidewalk. Inside Entrance: Use netting as your backdrop. Have a big basket of multi-color leis (thin leis, thick leis, silk flower leis, solid silk flower leis) inside the door where people can help themselves to a few. I would plan on 5 or 6 per person so that they can be creative and festive with their leis. If you think you have the time, stand at the door and greet everyone with a lei--this is always a nice gesture and a traditional way of saying aloha. If you are really talented, have a ukulele on hand to serenade your guests as they enter. Maybe put a note on the basket urging them to wear them wherever they please. This will make for fun photo opportunities (you can send them later as a thank you for attending the party). Backyard: The backyard is just as fun to decorate as the rest of the house, so don't neglect this space if weather permits or if you plan to expand the party outside. Paper lanterns might be a nice touch, whether inside or in the back yard. Tribal masks are fun, too. Hang wind chimes and wooden parrots to give a complete background to your setting. Shells, sand and perhaps a mini-pool is order here as well. If you really want to go crazy, rent realistic looking fake palm trees and wooden totem poles to place around the yard/patio. Candle votives are a must, but don't forget the citronella candles. Seating Cards or Name Tags: If you are assigning seats or if you want to give out nametags (and this is wise when you have a lot of friends that don't know each other), here's a thought: thongs. You know, the rubber kind you wear on your feet with a flower in the center? They make for a great nametag or seating card. Just write the name in magic marker, add a 25¢ chain or ribbon (necklace) and voila--a humorous way to get people talking about your creativity and their thongs. Line them up alphabetically on a table near the entrance. Another thought on this is to use starfish or sand dollars and write the name of the person on it. For name tags, string some ribbon around it. Buffets: Using grass skirts, make a table skirt around the buffet table to bring Hawaii right inside your home. Use a green plastic or linen tablecloth over the buffet and pin the skirting to the edges. Add fabulous tropical Mylar balloons (all you need is some helium) in the shape of fish, palm trees and other related shapes, so buffets can be seen from anywhere at the party. Use beachcomber hats (multi-color or plain) upside down to hold different snacks and munchies. Throw a mixture of fabulous foil-wrapped chocolate fish and tropical bird/palm tree confetti across your table. Your guests will really WOW at your thoughtfulness and carry-through. Provide tropical toothpicks as a final touch. Use baskets on each buffet to hold luncheon napkins, luau-themed plates, cutlery and cups. You may even want to get matching guest towels for your powder room! Tables: A flamingo air walker (a helium balloon with feet) makes for a great centerpiece and is something different than the norm. Don't forget to add confetti and more foil wrapped chocolate fish. Make sure to use tropical colors for your tablecloths--yellow, green, hot pink, melon, orange and bright blue. Add your own seashells, maracas and sand. Another great ideas is to use pinatas as your centerpieces or if you prefer, hang them above the tables. Bar: The first drink should be served complete with tropical straws and tropical drink stirrers. You may want to add some pineapple votive candles to create some atmosphere--and you may want to add some tropical lights around the bar as well. Don't forget the all-important coconut cups, whether plastic or made from real coconuts (how dedicated do you want to be to making this as authentic as possible for your guests?) Products: For that special Konga Line or for a luau your friends will be talking about long after the sun goes down, here are even more ideas:
Props for your luau! Tiki Entrance - use this at your entrance…it even has a raffia top. Your guests will get "it" as soon they walk in and know what this party is all about. Tiki Tower - a totem pole what else…you see them everywhere in Hawaii so why shouldn’t you grace your party with at least one? Luau Hut- this is fun. Use it for a buffet, a bar or just décor. Looks like the real thing (almost). Beachcomber Bandstand - 7x8’ bamboo corrugated bandstand or backdrop for your favorite picture. Surf Board Cut-OUts Luau Paper Lanterns - hang them anywhere and everywhere and your guests will feel like they are in luau land…2 per package in green and pink; add tissue rainbow fish here and there for a nice mix. Tables - Make your table the talk of the party with the following stuff:
Fish net - make any table scream LUAU with fish net in blue, yellow or white.
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