Polynesian-themed parties are a classic staple of summer, when backyards, decks and patios can be transformed into a tropical paradise. An advantage to hosting a luau is that it is relatively easy to decorate along its theme, and also a snap to plan a barbecue-style menu. Making your luau decorations requires only a small investment of time and money.
Features
Some of the easiest luau decorations to make are flower adornments. You can use real plants or flowers in your garden, or create tissue paper flowers. Another option is to buy fake plastic flowers at a craft store and use them on table settings, cocktails and centerpieces. You can add the palm tree effect by decorating with palm fronds, painting a palm tree wall mural or using spray paint and cardboard to make trees. Grab some coconuts, hack them in half with a sharp knife, scrape out the coconut for appetizers, and use the shells as cocktail cups. Bamboo makes a cheap and authentic accent for a luau, too.
Benefits
The benefit of making your own luau decorations go beyond the obvious factor of saving money. It is also a way to get the family involved in party preparations and of making the decor in your own style. For example, if you can find some loud floral prints on sale at the fabric store, they make great accents as table covers, chair covers, napkins, bows for chairs and even sarongs for little girls in attendance. You can take a simple straw basket and give it tiki style with cardboard painted masks and flowers. You can add a beach angle with shells, starfish, buckets, sand or a net used as a canopy overhead.
Effects
Making your own luau decorations can bring the Hawaii vibe to your backyard. Since luaus are held outdoors, it is fun to incorporate natural materials into the decor. Leaves, flowers, raffia, stones, seashells, water features, bamboo and tropical fruits create the brilliant colors of an authentic luau. The typical color palette for a Polynesian party is vivid green, hibiscus red, mango, marine blue and sunshine yellow. The ultimate effect, of course, is the lighting, which can be accomplished with handmade luminarios (made of paper bags and tea lights), or with tiki torches or paper lanterns strung through the trees.
Misconceptions
Although they share many qualities, luaus are not the same as tiki parties, with their cocktail connotations. In fact, luaus can be a perfect party theme for children. Children may enjoy making luau decorations during the party itself. Some ideas include stringing leis, using pinata forms to make pineapples, creating "grass" skirts out of crepe paper, crafting tropical flowers out of tissue paper, or doing henna tattoos of tiki masks.
Expert Insight
Martha Stewart has her own take on making luau decorations. She gives readers the skinny on make their own (see Resources). Among the projects she attempts are a full-on bamboo tiki bar, luau-themed floor cushions, a beverage tub adorned with a grass skirt, flower party lights and a ti leaf ice bucket. As is often the case with Martha, some of these projects require many materials and a bit more time to create.
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