June 23, 2015
Summertime
and outdoor entertaining go hand in hand. There’s no better way to spend time
with friends than an outdoor barbecue or get together on your private deck or
patio. To keep the entertainment fresh and conversations lively, consider a
Hawaiian theme for your next party. Here are easy steps you can take.
Invitations
Create
an invitation with a picture of Waikiki Beach or a famous Hawaiian sunset. On
the invitation, tell your friends to wear a Hawaiian shirt or Hawaiian dress
(called a “mu mu”). When they arrive, greet them in a traditional Hawaiian way
with a colorful, floral necklace, or lei.
The menu
To
have time to spend with your guests, it’s best to keep things simple. One way
to do this is to ask each of your friends to bring their favorite
Hawaiian-themed side dish or beverage. Providing a theme gives your friends
parameters and an easier way to be creative.
Plan
to supply the main dish. A simple and delicious choice is Hawaiian chicken.
Simply grill the chicken as you normally would, and near the end of the cooking
time, add pineapple-flavored barbecue sauce. Grill slices of pineapple last,
and serve the chicken and pineapple with side dishes provided by guests. This
simple menu is party-pleasing, easy and economical.
The decorations
Tiki
torches add atmosphere, and filled with citronella, help keep mosquitoes away.
Colorful glasses and pitchers topped off with a cheerful umbrella and fruit
slices are sure to add a festive touch. Party stores and outdoor living stores
are a great place to find these items.
The furniture
Outdoor
cushions are a must to keep your guests comfortable. Buy some in a Hawaiian-themed
print, or bright colors like turquoise, fuchsia, coral and greens that are
reminiscent of the tropical climate of the islands. Coordinate with flowers, place
settings and tableware in similar colors to extend the exotic, festive theme. Outdoor
cushions are available in many different sizes, so you can transform your
entire outdoor living area into an inviting oasis.
The atmosphere
Don’t
forget the music! Set up outdoor speakers and create a playlist of
Hawaiian-themed songs. Assign your kids (or spouse) to this fun assignment. For
starters, look for artist like Elvis and Don Ho, or search for ukulele artists or
music for luaus.
Themed
parties are a fun and easy way to entertain your guests. This is just one idea,
but use your imagination to come up with many more. Who knows? You may start a
trend and find your home a gathering place for outdoor parties all season long.
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