A good party needs good friends, good food and good conversation. A great party needs something more. It needs an atmosphere that transports guests away from the everyday. Set the stage for a great party by turning your home into a tropical oasis.
Party Decor and Accessories
Most homes don’t feel like a tropical paradise. In order to create the tiki/luau atmosphere, some decor and accessories will have to be acquired. Dollar stores and party supply stores are a good place to start looking. Online suppliers are a treasure-trove and can be a great place to find the event’s signature elements.
- Look for table settings (tablecloths, paper plates, cups and napkins), wall hangings, banners and freestanding decor items with tropical motifs.
- As far as motifs go, tiki heads, palm trees, coconuts, pineapples and exotic flowers all fit the bill.
- Natural or artificial banana leaves can make beautiful table runners or placemats. Grass skirts can be used as table skirts.
- If the party is outdoors, use fire as much as is practical and safe. Light the outdoor fire pit and add some tiki torches. Not only are they affordable and easy to find, they may help chase the mosquitoes away.
- Patio lanterns are also a fun way to add accent lighting. They come in a myriad of colourful styles and run the gamut from tacky to elegant.
Add Some Colour
Don’t panic if you can’t find the perfect tiki glassware or palm tree plates. The vibrancy of the South Pacific can be captured with colour. A variety of bright, solid colours can pick up the slack when certain theme items cannot be found.
Tiki parties and luaus are meant to be over-the-top. There should be no concern about colours clashing. This is one instance where the brighter and more garish the colours the better.
Decorate the Guests
For the party’s South Pacific vibe to really take hold, the guests need to get in on the act. Encourage attendees to come wearing loud Hawaiian shirts and shorts. Meet guests at the door with brightly coloured leis. Better yet, meet them at the door with a faux coconut bra and a grass skirt. When everyone participates, in the theme of the party, it helps to ensure that everyone has fun. It can be an effective ice-breaker and conversation starter when guests are first introduced.
Speaking of involvement, nothing says participation sport like a limbo game. A broom stick and some funky music are all you need to get the party started.
Add Style to the Cocktails
The party is all about the cocktails and they should make a statement. Whether it's a fruit and coconut concoction invented especially for the event or a classic cocktail like a Mai Tai or a Zombie, serving it in a coconut shell or a vintage-style tiki head will give it an extra 'wow'.
Don’t skip the garnish. Fresh fruit like pineapple, cherries and citrus, are beautiful accessories to an exotic beverage. Colourful paper umbrellas are a must for a tropical party. They're cheap, easy to find and, somehow, make the drink taste better; maybe not, but don't skip them. Fun, on theme, swizzle sticks add panache to the bar area and , really, who doesn't love a good swizzle.
Don't throw the same old party. With a little planning, imagination, and a few inexpensive accessories, the occasion will be memorable for the host and guests alike.
