How to Make Hawaiian Party Decorations

While it is traditionally an outdoor party for a hot summer day, a luau is a festive theme for any party, regardless of the reason for the celebration. You can create a festive Hawaiian atmosphere with coconuts, grass skirts, tiki torches and tropical flowers. Discover a few Hawaiian party decorations you can make on your own to get your guests in the mood to hula.

Things You'll Need

• Flowers (fresh or artificial) Thick string or fishing line Needle Paper-towel roll Glue Paintbrush Construction paper in assorted colors Straw Tissue paper in assorted colors Paper bags Paint Scissors Tea-light candles

Instructions

Leis

1. Gather the flowers you want to use for your leis. If possible, use fresh flowers like plumeria, orchids, hibiscus and gardenia. If you are on a tight budget or expecting a lot of guests, use silk flowers or tissue-paper flowers.

2. Thread a needle with a 30-inch piece of string or fishing line. Tie a knot on one end to hold your flowers in place.

3. Pull your needle through the center of one of the flowers. Repeat until you have strung the desired amount of flowers onto the string.

4. Cut off any excess string and tie the ends of the lei together. Make sure it fits loosely so it can easily be pulled over the heads of your guests as they enter your party.

Palm Tree Centerpieces

1. Create a mixture of two parts water to one part glue. Mix well in a small bowl with a paintbrush. This will be the paste mix you use to apply your tissue paper.

2. Wrap your cardboard paper towel roll in a thin layer of your glue mixture with the paintbrush. Attach pieces of brown tissue paper. Create texture by applying several layers of tissue paper to the paper towel roll.

3. Sketch palm leaves out of green construction paper and cut them out; glue them to the top of your paper towel roll.

4. Let dry completely and place in the center of your table, surrounded by a cluster of fresh or artificial tropical flowers, coconuts, pineapples and straw.

Paper Bag Lanterns

1. Sketch out a tropical luau-themed shape on a piece of construction paper. Consider drawing a palm tree, hula girl, pineapple or flower. Cut out your shape to function as a stencil for your paper bag lantern.

2. Lay your paper bag flat, fold side down. Paint as desired, or cover in tissue paper in festive colors or designs.

3. Trace your stencil onto the front center of your paper bag. Cut out the shape using craft scissors or an Exact-o knife.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 until you have made your desired number of paper bag lanterns. You can choose to only use one stencil, or cut out multiple construction paper stencils to create a variety of different lanterns.

5. Place tea-light candles inside your paper bag and arrange them around the perimeters and walkways of your party. Light the candle to show the glowing shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Ball up little pieces of brown tissue paper to look like coconuts and arrange on your palm tree centerpieces.

• Make sure your paper bag lanterns are well monitored. Paper is very flammable and dangerous if unwatched.