Gift-giving can't get any more fun than going Hawaiian. Hawaiian-themed gifts bring not only the blue seas and sunny skies of this tropical island, but also the warmth of its people. Whatever the celebration, there are many gift items that capture the Hawaiian experience. Whether they come in familiar shapes or exotic forms, these gifts reflect the unique culture and geography of Hawaii.
Popular Must-Haves
One of the most reliable ways to say aloha is to give a gift that is distinctly Hawaiian. In Hawaii, leis grace the necks of visitors and locals in occasions ranging from arriving at the airport to wedding anniversaries, graduations and luaus. Leis can consist of such materials as nuts, shells and especially flowers. Many flower shops offer leis and a wide selection of tropical blooms. Another example of a Hawaiian icon is the hula doll. Hula dolls celebrate both the beauty of the Hawaiian people and the hula dance, which evolved from being part of a religious ceremony to a Hawaiian attraction that has reached popular culture. Dashboard hula dolls make entertaining accessories for any moving vehicle. Other examples of hula doll items are vintage lamps and novelty snow globes.
Tropical Sweetness
As a tropical island, Hawaii abounds with woods, fruits and flowers. Much of Hawaii's products make use of such ingredients. A great present featuring these products is a gift basket made from wood or rattan. Homemade gift baskets allow the gift-giver to choose items according to the individual tastes of the receivers. For example, a friend who loves to indulge in spas will appreciate a gift basket of soaps, shampoos, lotions and other luxury bath items in fruity or floral scents. Families will find plenty of use for gift baskets filled with the colorful fruits of Hawaii, such as coconuts, pineapples, mangoes and papaya. Guava jams and other fruit preserves are good gift ideas because they don't spoil easily. Another tasty treat are nuts. Wrapped in chocolate or ground and cooked into sugar to make nut brittle, macadamia nuts will satisfy a loved one's sweet tooth.
Prints and Handicrafts
Hawaiian prints mirror not only the bright and varied colors of the tropical island but also its vegetation, featuring designs of palm trees, pineapples, bamboo and the national flower, hibiscus. Hawaiian shirts may be famous, but Hawaiian fabrics can turn into other fashionable gifts. Tote bags in Hawaiian designs will exude a light and carefree air around their owners. Bedspreads of this kind of pattern will cheer up any bedroom. Other Hawaiian gifts that showcase artistry are handicrafts sculpted from different kinds of wood. These range from folk musical instruments like guitars and ukeleles to depictions of weapons that the early Hawaiian tribal kingdoms used in their wars. Carved masks, totems and statues of Tiki also make unique presents. Tiki refers to ancient Hawaiian gods quite war-like in nature, so the round eyes and menacing mouths of these sculptures will create a lasting impression.
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