Anytime is the right time to host a tropical luau. The theme is a natural during the sweltering summer and can take the doldrums out of winter, too. But what fun is a party if no one will do the hula with you? To guarantee a great turnout for your next pig roast, you'll need to send an intriguing invitation. Nothing holds the promise of a must-do event like an inspired, unusual invite. So break out your grass skirt, slather on some sun screen and add some sizzle to your invitations. Does this Spark an idea?
Cardstock
If you're pressed for time, head to the nearest party supply shop or check on-line for speciality stores that sell packages of colorful invitations. Choose a style you feel is most appropriate for your intended crowd. Look for paper punches in fun, tropical shapes such as flamingos, bananas, fish or palm trees. Purchase colorful paper and make tropical confetti to sprinkle into each envelope. Attach the invitations to a themed item, such as miniature bottles of sunscreen, cheap sunglasses, small jars of macadamia nuts, or mesh bags with a few pieces of tropical fruit inside.
Flip Flops
A pair of cheap flip flops can easily be turned into an amusing invitation that's sure to arouse your guests' interest. If possible, wait for stores to clear out summer shoes and snag a bunch of child-sized flip flops at reduced rates. If not, go to the local dollar store and purchase the least expensive plastic or foam beach shoes they sell. You can either attach a standard invitation to a shoe with a piece of colourful ribbon, or you can convert each flip flop into a party summons by writing the relevant details on the foot bed in permanent marker or puff paint.
Bottles
Grab your guests' attention by sending out message-in-a-bottle themed invitations. Soak the invitation message paper in a weakly brewed tea. Spread them gently on baking sheets to dry. While the pages are still damp, flip a few granules of instant coffee onto the surface, creating several areas that are a bit darker than the rest. Crumple the discolored pages and spread them flat again, allowing them to dry completely. Write all the party details on pieces of the "aged" paper. Roll each piece tightly and tie with a bit of plain string. Insert each scroll into a bottle, add a handful of sand and a few pebbles and then seal the whole thing with a cork. Tie a small label to the neck of bottle stating, "Invitation Enclosed".
Tags: your guests