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Trying to throw a classy Luau is like trying to ride a bike backwards, but with the right combination of restraint and selection, you can have an elegant Hawaiian themed party for you and your friends.
The first step to throwing a party is choosing the invitations. There are several options available for those of you who like kitsch, but if you are interested in a more mature option try ordering vintage Hawaiian postcards and having them engraved with the details, or for a more cost efficient party- write them yourself. If simple invitations seem a little too boring and your guest list is not too large try sending your invitation as a message in a bottle. This can be done by collecting the empty glass bottles from your last party, cleaning off the label with a little water, and filling them with sand purchased from a nursery. Then print out invitations on decorative paper from your local scrapbook store and roll them into long reeds and tape them shut. Next slip a ribbon or a string through a hole punched into one of the ends. Carefully drop the message into the bottle and test it a few times to make sure it comes out with ease. And voila! Special, one-of-a-kind classy invitation. These must be hand delivered though so make sure you plan well in advance.

The second step to a good party is creating the atmosphere. Be wary of blow-up palm trees and cheap leis. Emulating the Hawaiian spirit is much more important and can be achieved with a few tiki torches and some sand. Place the Tiki torches around the edge of the party and make sure there are enough to keep your area well lit, but not too bright. If you live in an especially "buggy" area you can buy they torches with bug repellant as well. As for the sand, as long as you are not on a well-manicured lawn, toss it around to give it a more beachy flair. If you have a body of water nearby, like a pool or a pond, cheap floating candles are easy to use and beautiful. Finally, for dinner or snacking, long tables can be set up and covered with a white tablecloth. Luaus are communal affairs so don't worry about forcing your guests to mingle. For table centerpieces, make little piles of sand and stick in some toothpick umbrellas and flowers as well as small votives.
Once your guests are at the table, your third and final task is to provide food and drinks. For a full meal and smaller party, try an appetizer of coconut shrimp with mango salsa, followed by grilled mahi mahi with jalapeno macadamia nut crust. For desert, pineapple upside down cake! If you prefer to serve small appetizers, all of the above mentioned can be served in smaller, bit-sized portions along with fresh fruit and nuts. When it comes to the drinks, Mai Tai's are a Hawaiian staple and creating your own tasty Hawaiian cocktail with pineapple juice is not hard. If you are less creative there are many easy to make, fruity cocktails on the Internet for you to choose from. Just make sure that your guests know which one is your signature party drink and encourage them to drink up.
Lastly, remember that Luaus are an opportunity for coming together with friends and celebrating. If all else fails, enjoy yourself with the people you care about and the Hawaiian spirit will make itself known. Aloha!

Learn more about this author, Laura Stewart.
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