How to Throw the Perfect Family Luau Party
Have you ever been to a Luau Party?
My mother grew up in Hawaii and I grew up with her stories of Hawaii and what it was like living there. Maybe that is why I have always loved Luau parties which remind me of those beloved stories of such of a beautiful place filled with kind and loving people. Ok, maybe it also had to do with fun Disney Movies like Lilo and Stitch and now Moana. Well, whatever the reason, I have always LOVED Luau parties. So much so, that I have wanted to throw my own for the longest time.
This year, I thought it would be lots of fun to throw a Family Luau party. I am all about excuses to get together my family to have fun together. Since our party was in the heart of the Summer, we opted to have it in my parent's driveway and front yard.
We decided to set up the food and eating tables in the driveway with water fun for the kids across the front yard (so we could keep the kids in our sights without getting wet ourselves. Thankfully Oriental Trading has a great selection of Luau decorations and party props for great prices so I decided to get everything for the party from them. (Check out their Luau selection here)
A focal point of our Luau was the food table. We hung a surfboard backdrop from my parent's front deck behind the food table. Then to finish the look I got a green grass table skirt, a fun Hawaiian flower centerpiece and lastly I got coordinating plates and cups with that same flower design on them for the food.
The food for the Luau was a potluck affair. My parents made Teriyaki Chicken stirfry. My little sister Mary helped my make teriyaki Meat Kabobs (with Steak, Chicken & Butter Shrimp) and Rainbow Fruit Kabobs. They turned out deliciously perfect. (Click here to get my recipe for Homemade Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Sauce I used for the Teriyaki Meat Kabobs and my parents used for their stirfry.)
My other younger sister Jenny and her family brought yummy Chips (and the kiddy pool we used for the kids to play in with the fun beach balls I got from Oriental Trading as well. My oldest brother Adam and his family brought Pink Lemonade and ice for drinks. and my unofficially adopted (It's a Hawaiian thing) brother Jesus and his wife Paid brought sweet-n-sour meatballs. I am glad my other younger brothers James and Jeremy were able to make it to the party. We are just sad that my older brother Jon and his family who live in Colorado couldn't be there. (next time)
For the rest of the Luau decorations, I had gotten 3 flower garlands (that matched the flower leis) that we hung from the front deck to the tree on one side of the driveway to a tree on the other side of the driveway. My sister Jenny came up with the idea to hang the flower leis from the tree branches hanging over the driveway until everyone arrived and claimed theirs to wear during the party. I am glad we did this because it totally added to the whole ambiance. Then I placed the other 2 Flower centerpieces (they came in a 3 pack) on the eating tables to tie everything together.
As I said earlier to help keep the kids from getting too hot we set up a sprinkler head next to a kiddy pool filled with water and inflatable beach balls, and water balloons for the kids to play with while us adults sat around, ate talked and had fun in the shade on the driveway.
We all had soo much fun, and best of all the setup and take down for the party were so quick and easy that for this party I got to spend most of my time enjoying myself with my family. If you are looking for a fun family party to have this Summer/Fall I totally suggest doing a Family Luau party! (Check out the Luau items avail at Oriental Trading to help you have the best party without spending a ton of money.)
If you liked this party post then check out these: (click on the photo to go to the posts)
