Leis add color and set the ambience in a luau.
In ancient Hawaii, it was taboo for men and women to dine together. But in 1819, King Kamehameha II broke this tradition by feasting with women. A favorite meal at these feasts was a luau which refers to a dish that consists of chicken, coconut milk and taro leaves. Today when we hear the word luau, we think of a party with tropical music and delicious food. If you are throwing a luau, save some cash by making a few inexpensive party decorations. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dress up the edges of tables with decorative grass skirts. Place a large green bag flat on the table, smooth it out with your hand. Cut long strips from the bag that are at least an inch wide to create a make-believe grass skirt. Repeat this process with several bags until you cover all the edges of the table. Use double-sided tape at the top of the skirt to secure it to the table. If the party is indoors, set a small ceiling fan hidden from view to give the illusion of a tropical breeze blowing gently through hula skirts.
2. Recycle the bottom half of a large empty pizza box. Cut the cardboard into a rectangle. Shape it into a tiki mask. Use acrylic paints to paint the mask black, brown and deep red. Allow to dry. Add more details to the mask using markers or more acrylic paints to create the facial features. Use brightly colored paints on the facial features so the masks stand out. Hang the mask on the wall in a prominent area.
3. Accent the entrance of the room with tall totem poles to add a mystical touch to your party. Use a knife to shape a foam cube into a bird or any figure you choose. Use images of totem poles as a guide. Paint the foam object that you created. Stack the painted objects together. Use double sided tape to secure your totem pole.
4. Cut fish shapes out of sturdy card stock. Paint the fish shapes. Let dry. Punch a hole on the top of the fish and use fishing line to hang from the ceiling
5. Visit your local craft shop. Pick up bags of plastic tropical flowers. Remove the stems from plastic flowers. Thread fishing line, yarn or carpet thread through the center of the flowers to create leis. Hang leis on the walls or set them on tables.
Tags: acrylic paints, facial features, fish shapes, fishing line, totem poles