Summer will be here before you know it. Now is the perfect time to start getting plans together for a Tiki Party or Hawaiian Luau.

Send out handmade invitations in the shape of hibiscus flowers or leis, and ask your guests to wear their favorite Hawaiian or flower shirts, grass shirts, sarongs, or any dress to put them in the Hawaiian mood.

Provide leis when they arrive and maybe even have silk flowers attached to clips for the ladies.

Decorate your yard with tiki torches. If you have a fire pit you can have that lit and provides eating around it with chairs or straw beach mats.

If you have a pool, place flower lanterns or floating candles in the water. You could place several small children's pools with water or sand, or some with sand and some with water, and add seashells or sea animal shaped candles ,  or mini tiki candles.

Paper lanterns, hanging leis and silk flowers attached to a pergola or strung around the yard also add to the effect.

Tropical drinks and punches served in coconut shell cups, kabobs and lots of fruit (especially pineapple and coconut) will feed your guests. If you can find a way to put a pig on a spit over the fire pit,even better!

Have plenty of tropical music, a limbo stick, a Tiki pinata, and activities that will correspond with the theme for the total Hawaiian experience – no matter where you are located.  Aloha!