Add many tropical touches to your Hawaiian barbecue for an authentic feel.
For your next summer barbecue, try a Hawaiian theme. It has all the elements of a fun party -- delicious food and tropical drinks, fun attire, authentic decor, entertaining music and games, and an overall atmosphere that will have guests feeling as if they are enjoying a night at a luau in Hawaii.
Instructions
1. Buy or create and send out your invitations. Find tropical-themed invitations at your local card or party supply store, and be sure to specify the date, time, location and RSVP information. Also include that guests should come dressed in Hawaiian-inspired attire and that barbecue and other food and drinks will be served.
2. Decorate your backyard to create an authentic Hawaiian luau atmosphere. Adorn the yard as well as the deck/patio with tiki torches and tropical floral garlands. For continuity, light candles inside your home and subtly decorate with tropical flowers and shells. If you really want to go all out, purchase large inflatable or illuminated palm tree decorations.
3. Cover all tables with tropical-print or brightly colored tablecloths. Decorate the tables with seashells, pineapples, tropical silk flowers and coconuts. Have coordinating plates, cups, napkins and cutlery on hand.
4. Put together a menu that includes both Hawaiian and traditional barbecue as well as some vegetarian options. Entree ideas include teriyaki and barbecued chicken or beef, short ribs, shrimp and vegetable kebabs, grilled fish, Hawaiian pork, Hawaiian pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers. Side dishes may include fruit salad, sliced pineapple, fried rice, sweet potatoes, garden salad, corn on the cob, pineapple-mango salsa with tortilla chips and toasted macadamia nuts. For dessert, serve coconut cream pie, pineapple upside-down cake and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts.
5. Make tropical drinks such as blue Hawaiians, mai-tais, daiquiris and tropical punch. Stock your coolers with beer, soda and bottled water.
6. When the guests arrive, hand each person a silk flower lei. Play Hawaiian music in the background to add to the tropical atmosphere.
7. Encourage guests to mingle, eat and drink, but keep the party going with fun activities such as dancing, limbo, a hula hooping contest and water balloon toss.
Tags: macadamia nuts, tables with, tropical drinks