Bring on the leis for your Hawaiian party invitations.
If the idea of grass skirts, hula girls, soft guitar music and fruity drinks tempts you, a Hawaiian-themed party may be your ideal match. When planning your party, don't forget the most important step--getting your guests excited for the special event. Let them know your party is something they'll truly want to shake their hips at with an invitation that is truly thinking outside the box. Does this Spark an idea?
Totally Tiki
The tiki, long a symbol of Hawaiian party culture, has ties to the original form of art carving, dating back more than 25,000 years ago. Tikis in their current state are linked to a Polynesian-themed California restaurant that opened in 1934. The big block head and sometimes menacing grimace of the tiki can serve as a way to get your guests excited about your Hawaiian party right from the time they open their mailboxes.
To make tiki invitations, all you need is a roll of brown craft paper (or sheets of brown construction paper), scissors and a black marker. Cut out squares for the tiki head, then pierce the paper to cut holes for the tiki's eyes and mouth, which may be looped up like a grin or down like a frown.
Draw lines on the face to look like wood carvings. Write the information about the party on the back of the tiki head, such as Hawaiian-themed apparel to wear, the date of the party and what to bring.
Lovely Leis
Even if your party takes place with 20 inches of snow outside, your guests can feel as if they've just stepped onto Hawaiian soil and have been greeted by a Hawaiian chief. Leis are considered a way to welcome someone's presence to a celebration, so use the idea of celebration as a part of your party invitations.
Purchase leis at craft shops or party supply stores; leis come in a rainbow of colors to match any theme for your Hawaiian party. Create a special VIP pass on your computer by using a word processing or desktop publishing layout program.
Make a small card that has the person's name and the party invitation details, such as the time, place and date of the event. Add a colorful "VIP" or "ALL ACCESS" to the bottom of the tag, print the tag on a colorful piece of paper, then attach it to the lei with a twist tie or part of a pipe cleaner.
Slip the leis into envelopes and drop them in the mail (take them to the post office, as the weight of the lei might cause the package to require extra postage).
Party Pineapples
Combine an eye-catching invitation idea with a way to get ingredients for your party when you send your invites inside a hollowed out pineapple. Purchase pineapples at the grocery store (some warehouse clubs may have bulk pineapples at a reduced rate) and use a corer or hollowing tool to scrape out the fruit into chunks or rings for your party; place in an air-tight bowl and refrigerate.
Seal your party invitation with all the details about the Hawaiian theme, RSVP and the information about the event into a resealable plastic bag. Drop in a few Hawaiian-related trinkets such as a small paper umbrella and replace the top of the pineapple.
This type of invitation works best if you can hand-deliver the item, such as leaving it on a friend's door step or distributing at a work event, rather than shipping. If you're going to ship the pineapple, pack it in ice in a water-safe cooler, then address and ship the box.
Tags: your party, your guests, your Hawaiian, your Hawaiian party, guests excited