A Luau to Remember

Following up on the Luau Party, it was a success.

Only a few people were invited, only family and close church friends and officemates of the host.The party started at almost 6:30PM although the invitation was 5:00 PM. Here's one of typical Filipino parties, where the host would usually indicate in the invitation 1 to 2 hours advance in their planned time set because guest would almost always arrive 1-2 hours late.

Other than that, the party was a blast; Maegan and Migo especially enjoyed the venue because it was held in Harbor Lights, a restaurant situated beside the sea. What she enjoyed most was the wide open grassy space they had where they run around and round and round and round to their hearts content. It is good to note that there is also swimming pool beside the venue.

Oh! Dora the Explorer was there. She was the hosts' chosen party mascot. She wasn't in her Hawaiian costume, although, I think she cut her hair short, one of the guest commented she looked like Suzy, the mascot from Sustagen*. Later on, the adults on the party began to call her Suzy, while my eldest son Migo called her Chikadora* because of the recent BubbleGang* episode (09/12) he'd seen where her cousin Diego was beaten up by a gang of intoxicated bystanders. But that's a totally different story.

Having themed parties, for me, is quiet different from typical parties. What I noticed the most in the party we attended is that guest stayed longer despite the fact that it was on a weekday where people have work and students have classes the next day. The guests were enjoying the mood, the Hawaiian music, and the cool ambience as if we were really in Hawaii. The feeling was relaxing.

If you plan on hosting a Luau themed party, here are a few pointers I've come up with:

1. Plan ahead of time and distribute invitations early so that your guest will have ample time to prepare especially for their costume.
2. VENUE: Luau themed parties can be successful outdoors as well as indoors. You can let your imagination be your guide. Indoors, you could either decorate the room with palm trees/leaves and flowers and have a beach backdrop. Anything goes as long as it relates to the theme. Outdoors: first concern for outdoor parties is the weather so you better check it up in your local weather station, or if not have a back up plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate. You can set your party on your backyard, seaside, or poolside to create that tropical island paradise mood.
3. Costume: Grass skirts topped with colorful/floral halters. Sarongs, thongs and sandals are a few examples of costumes women can wear. A traditional flower head dress completes your Hawaiian ensemble. For men, Hawaiian match polo and shorts, straw hats or beachcomber, sunglasses, and sandals. Hey guys can wear grass skirts and coconut bras too!
   Every Luau parties must have Leis to greet their guest with. Leis are floral necklaces which can easily be made and materials can be found right around your backyard.
   Activities/Entertainment: Set the mood by playing Hawaiian music. Popular games used include Limbo sticks and Hula hoops or go on the internet to look for other games to make your party more fun and alive.
4. Food Preparation: Hawaiian food are influenced by so many different cultures, each unique in its own culinary way. You can create/mix up your Hawaiian dishes by looking up the internet different recipes. Make sure that you will be able to finish the food preparation and process before your party starts.

These are just a few tips to create a Luau party. Whatever you decide, the most important thing is that you enjoy what you are doing. Aloha!