Holidays in Hawaii are unlike anywhere else, and by New Year's Eve, many people are all too ready to head for the tropics. So make this year unforgettable by giving your New Year's Eve party a Hawaiian theme! Your guests will love it, and the preparations are nearly as much fun as the party itself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Gather what you've got. You might already have beach items such as pails and shovels, straw hats, leis, shells or an inflatable pool somewhere around the house. You can use these items for some of your decorating or serving needs.
2. Invite the guests. If you send invitations, be creative. Grass skirt or message-in-a-bottle invitations are fun and memorable. Be sure the Hawaiian theme is clear so that your guests can come prepared.
3. Find the right music. Your local library often has a good collection of Hawaiian compact discs available to check out. Listen to them ahead of time and decide what you like best. Have a good selection of slack-key guitar, popular vocal artists and hula tunes for variety.
4. Plan the menu. In addition to fresh pineapple and papaya slices, try serving kalua pig (barbecue pork), teriyaki chicken or fish to keep your guests satiated. Macadamia nuts make a great snack, whether salted or dipped in chocolate. Don't forget the drinks: Mix some mai tais or Blue Hawaiians, and make sure to offer your designated drivers something cool, too. Guava nectar or virgin Pina Coladas are excellent non-alcoholic choices.
5. Decorate. Find anything you still need to complete your look: flowers, fishing nets, tiki torches, inflatable palm trees and so on. Most of these items are reasonably inexpensive, or you can ask friends and relatives for anything they have that would add to the ambiance.
6. Make or buy leis. The plastic or fabric flower versions are fairly inexpensive and available in bulk. If you can afford to buy fresh flowers, have your guests string their own. Or, for a different feel, consider shell leis in addition to the floral variety.
7. Go out with a bang. New Year's Eve parties in Hawaii feature lots of fireworks, so if you want to be really authentic and your locale allows it, set off some explosions or light a few sparklers. Just be sure to keep them away from the grass skirts.
Tags: Hawaiian theme, these items, your guests