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Luau Party Supplies
Holding a Hawaiian Luau is a great way of spending the summer! In fact, it doesn’t even need to be summer to have a good time with a Luau party. Holding a Luau is a great way of bonding with family, friends, and neighbours, and this kind of party can be held outdoors, even on a beach, or indoors with the curtains drawn and sand decorating the floor. The Luau is also a great excuse for an adult costume party, so make sure everyone complies – Hawaiian shirts or grass skirts should be mandatory – and if the party is on a beach, bikinis and shorts will probably be the norm!
Planning a Luau party can take you from the most basic decorations to complicated centrepieces and Tiki cut-outs. The first thing that needs to be decided is where the party will be held. If the host can find a spot on the beach for the party, make sure the area is clear of dirt and unfriendly sea-life, and smooth out the sand – throw any loose pebbles into the sea. The beach can then be decorated with plastic furniture and plenty of fake palm-tree accessories. At home, try spreading out a tarpaulin in the party room, and covering it with sand – a few plastic rocks can be useful for seating, or beach towels and deckchairs if the host wants to be authentic. Add plastic accessories, maybe a beach soundtrack CD, and let the fun begin.
Now the host knows what he wants, he should draw up a list of Luau party supplies. The most important thing to start with is the invitations – make sure these are sent in plenty of time, so that people can get their grass skirts or Hawaiian costume. The host can choose to create a lavish Hula-style invitation card, or maybe buy a pack and let his creative juices flow in decorating the room. However the host decides to send his invitations, make sure that they include the rule about costume!
To decorate the room, the host will need some Luau party supplies. There are many things which can be bought to create a feeling of Hawaii in a suburban living room. Firstly, buy some wall hangings – posters with fish, Hula dancers or Tiki decorations are ideal. The host might also consider buying in some plastic fish and Ti leaf decorations for the wall – the latter are traditional Hawaiian Luau decoration. Wrap any party tables or other furniture in grass skirts, and choose a centrepiece which matches the theme – another Hula dancer, a palm tree, or a Tiki statue will all be eye-catching in the centre of the table. Other details include flower petals that can be scattered around, and a couple of tiki torches (holding votive candles) to set the mood. Beach party hosts might also consider adding Tiki torches to their list of Luau party supplies – citronella torches help keep bugs and flying nasties away.
No party is complete without balloons, so be sure to pick up a couple of packets of cheap pastel balloons before you blow your Luau party supplies budget on lei. As well as traditional balloons, the host might consider buying some inflatable palm trees, fish balloons, and streamers which can be hung from the ceiling to appear like seaweed.
Something else that might be useful to keep your guests entertained is a Limbo kit. Now these are not traditional Hawaiian Luau items, although it has gradually become part of the traditional Luau party supplies kit. Buying a Limbo kit means that the host doesn’t have to risk life and limb trying to dance under a pole resting on sandbags and an old garden chair.
Buying Luau tableware is an important element in getting Luau party supplies: There are a variety of decorated cups and plates which can be used, including ones which feature the fearsome Tiki faces, alone with others that have simple flower designs. Perhaps one of the best inventions in the Luau party industry is the ‘coconut cups’; these are real coconut shells that have been cut in half and hollowed out. A smaller piece of shell is added to the bottom, making a stalk, so the cup can safely be used for sipping Luau party cocktails. If you have room, these cocktails can be served from a Tiki bar – these can fit on any standard sized catering-style table, and feature a palm-tree printed canopy and bamboo ‘scaffolding’. These can add a real feel of Hawaii to any living room or party hall -use them with the inflatable palm tree cooler as a centrepiece for the party table, and everyone should be happy.
Don’t forget to complete the theme with garlands, either of flowers or silk leis; these can be handed to the guests when they come in the door – although some guests will have already made and brought their own. Silk Leis are an excellent alternative to the more expensive flower garlands and can be bought in packs of 12 or more to ensure that all your guests get a pleasant aloha welcome. The host might also choose to get himself a coconut Ukulele: these are rather intended as novelties than actual guitars, so be sure not to injure guests’ ears by playing one badly – although maybe a few hits from the coconuts will go down well after several coconut cup cocktails.
Whether holding the Luau outside, or indoors, there are plenty of ways in which the rather bland suburban setting can be changed into an exotic Hawaiian beach for the evening. A good idea is to mix the physical items with suitable sounds, foods, and drinks so that the guests can really loose themselves in the moment – although of course if it’s a birthday party then the Luau party supplies list should include a traditional birthday cake – Luaus can be adapted to fit non-traditional needs too. If the party is being hosted on the beach, remember to abide by laws which regulate what can be done on the beach, and also the host should make sure he knows when the tide is coming in - grass skirts are pretty awkward to dry off after a soaking from the sea!
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