I was browsing the web for luau party ideas for my daughters 5th Birthday Party; I stumbled across this site in hopes of finding answers. A little info: the party will be held May 25, 2013 at a local park, the majority of the guest are adults and the children range in ages from 1-13, I have rented a moonbounce, a face painter/glitter tattoo artist, I have also pre-ordered a luau theme cake.
I would like to know if anyone has ideas for homemade invitations(or invitation ideas period), table decoration ideas( there will be about 10-12 picnic tables), any ideas for party favors/favor bags, lastly, any ideas for what type of food I should serve? Keep in mind the party is outdoors and the grill will be available. Any and all ideas are greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
This site has loads of great party ideas:
http://www.karaspartyideas.com/2011/09/aloha-summer-party...
For party favors, I would try to find some cheap summer items since the party is right @ the start of summer - $1 sand buckets, bubbles, cheap sunglasses, etc. For food, you can do fruit, veggies, cheese/meat kabobs ("totem poles"). Buy a few cheap hula hoops and play some Hawaiian music.
go online to Oriental Trading and there's a ton of stuff - flower leis, paper parasol staws, all kinds of stuff.
When I've done this theme, I state "island attire encouraged" or something along those lines. One time I created centerpieces using large plastic margarita glasses filled with sand and pictures of the birthday girl on paper flowers on bamboo skewers (kind of a make your own flowers with pictures).
You can rent a icee maker for frozen drinks that the kids would have fun with. Another site for ideas is shindigz.
I loved some of the food ideas you got. I think i will borrow some of them for a neighborhood gathering I am working on. You could play Hawaiian music, have someone lead everyone in the Hula, let the kids play with bubbles, do the limbo rock with a limbo stick--however adults can get hurt doing this. I have found great Hawaiian themed frames at the dollar store- you can use them for decorations and send them home with the party goers. Take pictures and email them to party guests! Have fun!
Last time I was in one of those party stores, there were plenty of Hawaiian/tropical/luau decorations and party items.
For food, you can serve roast pork over plain white rice. You can cook it in a crock pot, no need to cook the whole pig in a pit! Or you could grill something like teriyaki chicken or beef, in pieces or on skewers. Fruit salad, pineapple, fruit punch or iced tea. Kona coffee, coffee ice cream. Coconut sorbet, cookies. Macaroni salad. For some reason, this is popular at the Hawaiian eateries around here. Hawaiian sweet bread or rolls are good and easy if you can find them in your area.
You should be able to order fake flower leis online. Not the scratchy ones made from plastic. There are some inexpensive pretty ones made from silk flowers that would be fun to pass out to guests.
We had a luau and one of our food items was chicken and veggie kabobs. I marinated chicken and made them up the day in advance and popped them on the grill at the party.
We had a grass skirt type decoration around the serving table. All the females got a silk flower lei and the men got shell leis ( ordered almost everything on the Internet). We asked people to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt or dress.
We hired Hawaiian dancers which might be overkill but everyone loved it. We primarily had adults but also a smattering of kids. There are a lot of luaua party favor ideas at party stores and on the Internet.
Ask the adults to wear island inspired clothes, shirts etc to help set the mood too and encourage kids too!
I'm thinking bright colors, fake or real flowers, floral prints, wicker baskets for napkins and such......
party favors could totally be flower leis - order a bunch online.
Food - lots of fruit, grilled pineapple, chicken salad with grapes and celery in it, red beans and rice.....
I always just make my invites on my computer and insert word art and clip art pics!
Oriental trading is the place to get all decorations etc. BBQ some ribs with a sweet and sour mix, Pineapples sliced. Shrimp. Chicken Terriyaki. For the kids, stick to the usual hot dogs, burgers, chicken nuggets. Can't imagine they would be interested in Hawaiian food. Have fun.
Dollar Tree has a whole luau section....take a look if you have one in your area. They have all sorts of decor. As far as food, don't try to stick with a luau theme. Just serve the old stand -by's - grilled burgers, pizza, chips, etc.
