Leis make perfect accessories for a hula party.
Hula, a dance that originated in the Hawaiian islands, is an almost instantly recognizable part of the Hawaiian culture. The dance, as well as the grass skirts and flower garlands, or leis, traditionally worn by the dancers, lend themselves to an array of tropical-themed decorations and activities. By extending the theme to include the hula hoop toy, children and adults of most ages can participate in the party fun. Does this Spark an idea?
Invitations
Whether you choose to buy pre-packaged invitations with a tropical motif or make your own, the invitation helps establish the theme and build anticipation for the event. You can purchase tropical-themed stationery at craft or party supply stores with images of palm trees and hula dancers and print your own invitations at home. Or consider creating a "message in the bottle"---you can buy pre-made kits at party stores or make your own using small plastic bottles, play sand, a few shells and a rolled up scroll invitation.
Decorations
Turn your home into a tropical paradise by filling it with fake or real flowers, palm trees and ocean sounds. Create a scenic backdrop by painting tropical scenes on a large, empty refrigerator box. Drape a table with green butcher paper and fray the ends to look like a grass skirt. Hang flower garlands throughout the house. Greet your guests at the door by putting a lei around their necks. Tape travel posters depicting palm trees and hula dancers to the walls of the home. Play a CD of ocean sounds, ukulele music or "beachy" music like that of the Beach Boys.
Games and Activities
Incorporate the theme into the party activities by choosing simple ones that involve hula dancing and hula hoops. Consider hiring a hula teacher to teach the group some basic moves. Check Mele.com for a listing of hula studios throughout the country. Go low-budget by picking up free hula tips from online videos on sites like Youtube.com or by borrowing a hula dancing DVD or book from your local library.
Hold a hula dancing contest using hula hoops. These hoops, named because of the circular movement that imitates that of hula dancers, make an easier option for younger guests or those who do not wish to learn the Hawaiian hula dance. Play music and see who can hula the longest. Award prizes for endurance and skill.
A hula relay race in which party guests don Hawaiian attire can help burn off extra energy and keep guests entertained. Divide your group into two teams and let them take turns putting on grass skirts, leis, flowered Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses--then racing to a hula hoop at the end of the running space. Once they reach the hula hoop, ask them to hula for one minute before racing back to give the next guest a turn.
Food
Keep refreshments light and tropical to nourish guests without over-filling them and making them too full to keep dancing. Offer guests a tropical smoothie bar where they choose different fruits, which are then blended into a customized drink. Top the drinks with a cherry and a paper umbrella for an additional festive touch. Make individual fruit kebabs out of pineapple, marshmallows, cherries and strawberries.
Dessert options include pineapple upside down cake, cupcakes topped with figurines of hula dancers (available at many party supply stores) or a homemade "volcano" cake made by placing a chunk of dry ice in a small glass votive (filled with a tiny bit of water) tucked inside the middle hole of a chocolate Bundt cake.
Tags: hula dancers, hula dancing, hula hoop, palm trees, flower garlands, grass skirts