Hawaiian Luau for Teens

by mpettebone

The first luau I can recall attending was held in the basement of my home when I was a child.  It was my cousin’s college graduation party.  I don’t remember the details because I was too young, but I do recall wooden coconut-shaped cups, bamboo sticks, and wooden shades with tiny slots being used for decorations.

Since that time, I’ve attended about a dozen luau-themed parties.  Even as a teenager, a club my sister, friends, and I started threw a summer luau in a local Warrensville Heights park.  In the 80s, a luau for teenagers consisted mostly of teeagers wearing JAMs, t-shirts, floral shirts, and Hurache and regular sandals.  The girls in my group did purchase floral fabric to wrap around our bodies, and we made certain everyone received plastic leis to wrap around necks, ankles, and wrists. Also, there were plenty of beverages and fresh fruit in the belly of a watermelon.  For a minimal fee, a local played popular music on his turntables.

Hosting a luau for young adults and teenagers continues to be a popular idea.  As with our park luau, the party doesn’t have to be elaborate.  Essentially, you need leis, beverages, and great music.  If you have access to a swimming pool, teens will have a great time at a luau-inspired swimming party.   In your invitations, encourage guests to wear  Hawaiian attire and swimming suits.  If you’d like a few decorations to set the tone, usually, a local Dollar Store has colorful Hawaiian themed decorations with flowers and wood masks.

The teens will be eager to get to the  Hawaiian Luau because it promises something different and an opportunity to dress up or wear bathing suits and trunks.

July 24th, 2009 by Yolanda D. Young | Posted in Party Planning, Party Stories, Party Themes, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Harvest Festival

by Through Joanne's eye

Every year the Women’s Ministry of the Outreach Mission Church of God in Macon, Georgia, hosts a Harvest Festival, which is open to the public.  The festival is organized around the twelve months of the year.  Consequently, at least twelve women volunteer to host a table which represents one month.  Then, they decorate their tables and serve foods and beverages according to holidays and celebrations in their chosen month.  Their Harvest Festival funds-raiser, which is usually held in November, offers fellowship and good food.

If you’re considering hosting your own Harvest Festival, keep in mind that each table, in a sense, represents a limited party space.  You’ll need to have tablecloths and decorations that establish the mood of your individual celebration or holiday with enough room left for the various dishes and drinks that will be served.  For instance, a January table should shout, “Happy New Year!”   A table cloth with confetti spread over it and a raised centerpiece of party hats and horns would be great.  Traditional New Year foods, such as collard greens, black-eyed peas, and fried chicken, would be in dishes on both sides of the raised centerpiece.

Variations of the Harvest Festival exist.  Some groups even include displays of talent for each month, in addition to the food.  Use your imagination as you create a harvest celebration.

July 13th, 2009 by Yolanda D. Young | Posted in Holiday Parties, Tips, Uncategorized | Comments (0)