Thank you for visiting today, and aloha. I can’t believe summer is almost over, but the fact that I can feel it slipping away has inspired me to believe there’s still time to squeeze in one last get-together.
There’s nothing like a luau to enjoy everything that this sultry season has to offer: warm temperatures, tropical cocktails, and a plethora of tropical foods to help us celebrate the summer’s fading days.
Then it dawned on me that I had never told you about my husband’s fantastic Luau Birthday Party. As you might expect, I’ve been to a few genuine Luaus throughout the years. So, what better time to show you than now?
Decorations for a Luau
To host a large celebration, it takes a village, therefore I always enlist the assistance of my family and friends. Burlap was used to cover hired banquet tables, and my brother was observed rolling it out.
Cutting the burlap to suit the long table was a simple, quick, and inexpensive process that required no sewing.
I bought a tropical print fabric as a table runner from a nearby wholesale fabric store. Then, for table design, I simply piled fresh pineapples, coconuts, bananas, papayas, and mangos on top, and voila, I had a festive, tropical tablescape without much price or work.
I also went to the grocery store and bought some cheap sanctuary candles. I then got a Hawaiian straw beach matt, broke it up, and hot glued it around the candles to make tropical-looking table candles.
I needed more than candles to light up the night because my celebration would go late. So, in addition to providing light, I lined the backyard terrace with Tiki torches that gave my Luau the perfect tropical flair.
I also used corrugated cardboard, craft paper, paint, and marker pens to make some amusing signage.
On my enormous whiteboard, we wished the birthday guy a Happy Birthday.
I arranged a mantle with Hawaiian style buntings and a place for the birthday gifts.
Attire for the Luau
For the Luau, I requested that all of my guests dress in traditional Hawaiian garb. Because Brad and I had outgrown our Aloha shirts from our time in Hawaii, I discovered TipsyElves, an online Hawaiian clothing store that met all of our requirements. Not only for the birthday kid, but also for my entire family, I purchased Hawaiian shirts.
Make a Buffet Out of It
My luau was no exception. Luaus are typically large events with a large number of guests. As a result, I always serve meals buffet-style at large gatherings. I bought inexpensive fabric and created linen napkins for my luau instead of using paper napkins.
I tied it all together with twine and black raffia and added bamboo cutlery and chopsticks.
After that, I set them out on a tropical tray at the start of my buffet table.
I utilized rectangular-shaped bamboo plates to stick with the tropical motif.
I purchased exotic blooming anthurium plants and wrapped them in burlap tied with rope for an added artistic touch. I also scribbled the menu on a little chalkboard and hung it from an easel.
To add even more Hawaiian flair, I lined my buffet table with grass skirts and bunched up fishing nets.
My parties always begin in our bar, so I made a couple of cardboard signs inviting my guests to come in and have a tropical drink. I used acorns to make the trees look like they were covered in coconuts.
I used a straw beach mat for the background on the Tiki Lounge sign and cut corrugated cardboard for the lettering, which were then painted.
The Mai Tai was our signature cocktail for the evening, which I put in a self-serve beverage dispenser so that my visitors could help themselves. I used long bamboo cocktail picks to catch cherries and pineapple for a tropical beverage garnish.
Luau Party Food Ideas
I hired a local sushi chef for my Luau who delighted the guests and provided them with great fresh sushi and sashimi as a beginning dish.
When dinner time arrived, our friends formed a line at the buffet for what is known in Hawaii as “Plate Lunch.” Tropical Fruit Salad, Hawaiian Style Macaroni Salad, Napa Cabbage Salad, Sticky Rice, Hawaiian Fried Rice, and Grilled Teriyaki Chicken were among the dishes I offered.
We baked a selection of tropical cupcakes for a Luau-themed birthday dinner and put them on a gorgeous dessert table draped with burlap and fishing nets.
I Keep My Guest Entertained and Give Them Favors
We used our Bose Bluetooth Speakers outside on the terrace to provide background music during dinner and played Hawaiian music to set the tone. After supper, we rented a dance floor and hired a band to help us rock the night away.
Don’t forget to give each of your guests a Luau-themed party favor. I had sunglasses-shaped sugar cookies prepared, placed them in cellophane bags, and tied them up with a small tag thanking them with a Hawaiian “Mahalo” for helping us celebrate hubby’s birthday with a fantastic backyard Luau.
Free Tropical Flower Watercolor Party Invitation Templates
All of our neighbors and friends are invited to join us in spending this special time together at our luau party.
Fyi, I used these Tropical Flower Watercolor Invitations to throw my party. And sure I will share with you as well! What do you need to do? It’s quite simple! Just follow these simple rules!
Download Instruction
- Right-Click each one of your selection
- Then select “Save Image As”, locate where you want the file to be saved in your device.
- Click “Save”, or tap “Enter”, and the download process will start shortly.
To make my card look professional, I maximize my effort by purchasing either Cardstock or Cotton paper to aid my special invites give durable and adaptable feels, making them excellent party favors and future references for my guests.
