10 Tips for Hosting a Fun Hawaiian Luau Party

Luaus can be a lot of fun for guests. Here are some tips that will make it a success.

1. Use the Oriental Trading company for all your decoration needs. You can order directly from their website or request a catalog and order through the mail. They have a wide variety of luau-themed decorations available, from Tiki masks to hanging palm trees.

2. Have a Tiki bar available for guests. This could include either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, depending on who will be attending. You can serve piña coladas, Hawaiian Punch or pineapple juice. Include a tip jar for the bartender.

3. Hand out leis as guests enter the party. You can purchase these on the Oriental Trading website in plastic or cloth varieties. Real flower leis are harder to come across and must be specialty ordered and these can be costly.

4. Ask a DJ to host your party. He or she can play popular music from today or you can go a little more traditional and have Hawaiian music available. Search for Hawaiian reggae singers such as Three Plus's Hawaiian reggae album "Honey Baby".

5. Use pineapples for both decoration and food. Pineapples can be used as centerpieces on each of the tables and you can cut fresh pineapples into slices and serve on a platter. These can also be used as decoration on the side of drinks.

6. If your party is outside, be sure to have fun torches around. By purchasing citronella torches you'll be deterring the mosquitoes away while giving the Hawaiian luau feel at the same time.

7. Have a grill going to serve hot Hawaiian food. Such foods can be chicken kabobs, shrimp skewers, burgers with grilled pineapple and pork chops with a pineapple glaze. You can also place vegetables on the grill for a side item to the meat dish.

8. Entertainers would really make this event special. If you can hire Hawaiian hula girls or Hawaiian drummers to be the entertainment. Guests can dance along with the entertainment or sit back and enjoy the show.

9. For a funny treat, as the host, wear a coconut bra to make your guests laugh. These can be purchased at novelty stores such as Spencer's Gifts or at Oriental Trading. You might want to have a few more available to guests who want to join in on the fun.

10. Incorporate water into the background. This can be a misting spray or at a venue that has a waterfall or a lake. You can strategically place a surf board near the water for a creative effect.