| Apart from the obvious Hawaiian music and food, the | | | | this is in easy reach of the kitchen so that food, hot or |
| main factor that sets a Luau apart from a normal | | | | cold, can be delivered fresh to the table. If catering for |
| party or celebration is the plentiful use of colour. As | | | | a large Luau, it would be good practice to duplicate the |
| well as in the food and punches, this vibrancy of colour | | | | layout from either end to the centre so that two lines |
| is expressed through clothing and decoration and is a | | | | can form doubling throughput, for smaller gatherings |
| natural reflection of the Hawaiian islands where the | | | | this is less of a problem. Make sure that the buffet |
| luau was originally conceived. | | | | table is well lit. Using candles here may not be such a |
| So you definitely fancy holding your own Luau and | | | | good idea as the buffet table is susceptible to being |
| need some tips, read on; | | | | bumped. There is a wide range of inexpensive table |
| Pick a location: Obviously, the location will depend on | | | | skirts that can be used to accent the buffet or drinks |
| the number of guests you want to invite, but in most | | | | tables. |
| instances, Luau's are held outdoors and work | | | | Select party tableware to compliment the theme and |
| especially well when there is a pool available. This | | | | colours you have chosen. There are some fantastic |
| would generally make it a summer party although | | | | ranges either floral or plain in a variety of colours that |
| there is nothing in the rule book to say it can't be | | | | will really finish the buffet table. If you can, use wicker |
| indoors during deepest winter and this maybe when a | | | | baskets - in keeping with the straw them, and use |
| colourful Luau would be most appreciated. | | | | freely colourful party picks and drinking straws and |
| Invitations: Be bold and creative when sending your | | | | martini umbrellas to add to the atmosphere. |
| invitations. Make them fun and get people into the | | | | Inexpensive table centerpieces such as honeycomb |
| party spirit from the first moment. Good, imaginative | | | | pineapples, hula girls, flamingos or palm trees offer |
| invitations build the expectation of the party itself and | | | | instant colour and importantly height and balance to |
| get your guest eager for the enjoyment to follow. You | | | | your buffet table and any of these themes. |
| could use a 'message in a bottle' approach or what | | | | Alternatives to this would be; sand and sea shells, sand |
| about printing your invite using a computer and sticking | | | | and pebbles, tropical and exotic flower arrangement |
| it on a bottle of sun-cream, or printing on a luggage | | | | (orchids or large lilies work well), helium filled balloons |
| label and attaching that to a cheap pair of sunglasses. | | | | tied to colourful balloon weights. |
| More cheaply, you could print your invitation and then | | | | Don't forget to decorate the actual table cover (if plain) |
| dress it with fabrics, sand, seashells - anything that | | | | using either flower petals of inexpensive table confetti |
| implies Hawaii. | | | | which is now available in a number of colours, shapes |
| As mention in another article, make sure you identify | | | | and sizes or available tropical greenery (palm leaves). |
| any requirements to your guests, if you want them to | | | | Having decorated the table and lit the Luau location, |
| dress in fancy dress - and there is a great selection | | | | use bright bold colours to complete the decoration of |
| available, you will have to tell them - obvious but often | | | | the raining space. Remember, keep most of it high so |
| overlooked. | | | | that it can be seen when guests are milling around - if |
| Themed Decorations: There is a huge array of | | | | it is too low it will be seen only by a few. Tropical |
| Hawaiian themed party decorations available and | | | | flowers - repeat the colours and types used in the |
| these can be supplemented by items you probably | | | | table decoration, if applicable. Fishing nets with outdoor |
| already have in the garden. | | | | lights threaded through can be applied to fences, |
| One of the best ways of lighting your garden will be | | | | ensure electrical safety is observed. In addition to lights, |
| by candles, garden flares and oil lamps. I bought some | | | | string Hawaiian leis into the nets or tie on some cheap |
| cheap floor standing candelabras and these have | | | | straw hats etc. |
| been allowed to rust and tarnish naturally, each holding | | | | Locate a inflatable dinghy - size depends on number of |
| six candles, they look fantastic when placed amongst | | | | guests, looks best if made to look like it's just been |
| the flower boarders with candles lit. They offer a more | | | | beached (sand, driftwood and palm leaves), fill with ice |
| natural and softer light, but safety is clearly a big issue | | | | and very cold water and then us this as a beer and |
| and positioning critical to avoid injury. | | | | cold drinks location for guests to help them selves. |
| When creating an outdoor buffet table, make sure that | | | | |