Thinking of throwing a luau or “tiki party” on a budget? Look no further!

How to luau for less.

Hit your dollar store first. Before you head to the party store, stop at the dollar store first. The Dollar Tree currently has a huge selection of luau party supplies with nothing over a dollar. These items include: leis, “grass” skirts, tiki garlands, inflatable luau characters, plastic palm tree-shaped cups with straws, plastic coconut-shaped cups, tiki-themed tableware, stirrers in the shapes of palm trees and flamingos, umbrella picks, luau grass skirt table fringe and more. Party tip: leave out a basket of leis so every guest can take one.

Look online. Oriental Trading Company always has fun luau supplies in bulk – great if you are expecting a large crowd. Lots of fun novelty items, perfect if you’re planning your luau as a kids’ party. Items include: gummis in the shape of flip-flops, foam flower lei craft kits, color-your-own tiki masks, kids’ mini hula skirts, and more.

Music. Say Aloha! to Pandora‘s radio stations, Hawaiian BBQ and Hawaiian Island Breeze. Or go to iTunes and download Don Ho or The Blue Hawaiians.

Drinks. For kids and those who don’t want alcohol, homemade fruit punch or Hawaiian Punch served in coconut-shaped cups is sure to be a hit. For adults, serve Blue Hawaiians or Living Locurto’s Tiki Rum Punch which is a mix of cranberry juice, orange juice, peach schnapps, coconut rum, layered with oranges, pineapples, limes and strawberries.

Food. Think fruity. Rice cooked with pineapple. Kabobs with fruit in between meat. And a carved fruit centerpiece like this shark from Simply Swanky.

Desserts. The perfect ending to the perfect party is of course, dessert. How cute are these flip-flop cookies from the Simplistically Living blog? All you need: Nutter Butter cookies and frosting.

Or how about these single-serve mini pineapple upside down cupcakes? They’re easy enough to make, using canned pineapple slices, butter or margarine, brown sugar, maraschino cherries and yellow cake mix. You can find the recipe from Betty Crocker.

 

 

Will you throw a luau this year?