90s Party Themes

Make your 90s party a big success.

The 1990s are generally known as a decade of grunge and hip hop music, along with the beginnings of pop and boy bands. A number of teen television shows originated in the decade as well, and clothing styles in the 90's were distinctive. For individuals planning a 90s-themed party, there is a wide variety of cultural experiences to draw inspiration from. Does this Spark an idea?

Television Show Theme

The 1990s brought about a number of popular television shows that are still talked about years after they've left the air. Television shows that originated in the 1990s include "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air", "Saved by the Bell", "Beverly Hills, 90210", and "In Living Color". Party hosts can invite guests to come dressed as their favorite TV character from the decade, with DVDs of past shows playing as entertainment. The host can choose to center around a particular show or allow guests to choose their own costume depending on their personal favorite.

Music of the 90s

The 1990s brought about a number of different styles of music. Popular music of the decade began as an era of grunge music centered around teenage angst and progressed into the introduction of boy bands and teenage pop princesses. Music from the 90s may include the Spice Girls, Nirvana, the Backstreet Boys, 'NSYNC, R.E.M., and Michael Jackson. At a 90s music party, guests can come dressed as their favorite artist of the decade while the host plays music that was popular in the 90s. At the end of the evening, hosts can give out personalized mix CDs, complete with a playlist of the night's songs.

90s Trivia

For party guests and hosts who grew up during the 1990s, a trivia party centered around the decade can provide a way to reminisce about their childhood. Trivia questions can center around the entertainment industry, sports, politics, and major happenings of the decade. During the party, the host can play both music and TV shows from the decade as background entertainment before and after the trivia contest. The host can either purchase a 90s trivia board game or create their own trivia.

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Barbie Party Ideas

Finding that special theme for your special girl sometimes can be a challenge. If a Barbie party is what she wants, there can be more to your theme party other than Barbie decorations and paper products. With some fun activities, a Barbie party can be a big hit. Does this Spark an idea?

Decorations

You can purchase Barbie-themed decorations such as plates, balloons, tablecloths and centerpieces, but to save money, just use pink decorations and plasticware. Hang streamers in a doorway like hanging beads to make a grand entryway into the party area. This also can be used for a fashion show for the kids to make their appearances wearing special outfits.

Fashion Show

State on the invitation for the girls to bring two or three of their favorite outfits. At the party, have them do one another's hair, put on make-up and jewelry, and strut into the party area to show off their new looks. Take pictures and print them on your computer before your guests leave to send home as mementos. If you don't have a printer that can print pictures, have the pictures professionally printed after the party for your child to include with her thank-you cards.

Barbie Playtime

Start collecting Barbie dolls, accessories and clothing from yard sales to add to your daughter's collection. At the party, let the girls play with them and have some good old-fashioned Barbie fun using their imaginations. It may not be the best idea to have the guests bring their own Barbie toys since they may become mixed up too much to sort out properly.

Dance Time

Some Barbie movies involve a lot of dancing. For example, Barbie plays a princess in "Barbie in the Nutcracker." Have the girls dress up like princesses and dance to "The Nutcracker" music by Peter Tchaikovsky. Play music from the ballet "Swan Lake," also by Tchaikovsky, as Barbie starred in "Barbie of Swan Lake."

Traditional Games

Change traditional games into Barbie games. Instead of Hot Potato, play "Hot Barbie," where kids have to pass the Barbie doll around so they don't get caught with it after the music stops. Kids also can play "Follow the Barbie." Put a tiara on the leader; the other kids then follow her around, doing things such as skipping across the yard or hopping up the stairs.

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Barbie And The Magic Of Pegasus Party Ideas

Throw a Barbie party for your birthday princess.

Barbie plays Annika, a princess who loves ice skating, in the movie "Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus." With an adorable polar bear friend, a sister who has been turned into a pegasus and a magic wand, this will be a fun and easy birthday theme for a special birthday princess. Does this Spark an idea?

Decoration

You can purchase Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus party decorations, or you can just decorate with a matching color theme, such as lavender, blue and white. Lay pillow stuffing around the floor so the guests can pretend they're walking in Cloud Kingdom.

Ice Skating

Host the party in an ice skating rink so kids can ice-skate like Princess Annika did on her birthday in the movie. If desired, use Magic of the Pegasus favors, hats, plates and blowers, which are available for purchase online.

Pin the Wings on the Horse

Make a large purple horse and two separate wings. Blindfold kids so they pin the wings on the horse to make it back into Brietta, Annika's friend and pegasus.

Find Shiver

Hide a stuffed polar bear and write out clues to his location. If you purchase enough stuffed bears for all the guests, they can act as the party favors for the kids to take home to be their friend, as Shiver is a friend of Annika in the movie.

Decorate Wands

Make wands with white cardboard for the tops taped to wooden dowels for the bottoms. Let kids paint the tops with washable paint or color with crayons or magic markers. They can also decorate them with glitter and plastic gems to make the wands sparkle.

Tags: Magic Pegasus, Barbie Magic, Barbie Magic Pegasus, birthday princess, polar bear

6 Things To Do On Your First Trip To Hawaii

First time travelers to Hawaii should visit Waikiki Beach for water sports or just to enjoy the sunset.

Hawaii is a dream destination for many travelers. With its pristine beaches, rugged mountains and other natural wonders, it offers beautiful scenery and a wide variety of activities that keep most tourists extremely busy. For first time travelers to Hawaii, the sheer number of attractions and activities available on the islands can be somewhat overwhelming. However, there are several activities that no Hawaii first-timer should miss.

Attend an Authentic Luau

When most people think of Hawaii, an image of a luau typically comes to mind. As a result, attending an authentic Polynesian luau is a must on your first Hawaiian trip. Luaus may be found on most islands, including Kauai, Maui, Oahu and Hawaii, and allow travelers to experience the traditional music, dance and cuisine of the Polynesian culture. Most luaus feature hula and fire dancers, and guests enjoy Polynesian dishes such as roasted pig and raw marinated fish known as poke.

Take a Helicopter Ride over Kauai

Kauai is a destination for travelers who enjoy adventure and activity because it is less developed than the other islands and offers plenty of natural terrain to explore. Taking a helicopter tour of the island allows travelers to observe parts of the island that are not accessible by foot, such as the Napali Coast. From the air, visitors are treated to breathtaking views of mountains, canyons and beaches, which are must-sees for nature enthusiasts.

Hike Diamond Head Crater

One of the best known landmarks on the island of Oahu is the Diamond Head Crater. Formed by a volcano, Diamond Head may be reached by a hiking trail that includes a moderate climb. At the top, visitors may take advantage of some of the best panoramic views of Oahu and explore a World War II bunker. Photo opportunities are abundant at Diamond Head as well, so be sure to bring your camera.

Visit a Volcano

There are currently two active volcanoes in Hawaii: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Both are located on the Big Island. First time visitors to Hawaii should add these volcanoes to their itinerary in order to experience the natural wonders of the Volcanoes National Park. Kilauea is considered the most active volcano in the world, according to Destination 360, so visitors can observe molten lava at the site. Mauna Loa is the largest volcano in the world, encompassing half of the Big Island. Both provide travelers with scenic views and excellent photo opportunities.

Enjoy Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach on Oahu is one of the best known beaches in Hawaii. On your first Hawaiian trip, be sure to stop at Waikiki Beach and take part in the wide range of water sports and activities available. Surfing, wind surfing, boogie boarding, swimming and jet skiing are all fun in the sparkling waters of the beach. For non-athletic types, relaxing on the beach with a good book is a great way to spend the day as well.

Visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial

Pearl Harbor, the site of the 1941 Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base, is another must-see destination for first time visitors to Hawaii. Located on Oahu, the USS Arizona Memorial contains a Pearl Harbor Museum where travelers can learn more about the attack and its ramifications. Visitors may also be interested in seeing the Punchbowl Memorial, which is located in Honolulu and dedicated to all who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor.

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Bar Hop Ideas For A 21st Birthday

Drink responsibly when bar hopping.

A 21st birthday represents so many things. It is a milestone birthday that officially represents adulthood. At 21 years of age you are able to legally purchase and drink alcohol. Bar hoping is a common way many 21-year-olds like to celebrate their new found adulthood. Does this Spark an idea?

Scavenger Hunt Bar Hop

Add a bit of excitement and creativity to your bar hoping experience. Create a bar hopping scavenger hunt for all guests to play. The scavenger hunt can include tasks such as collect specific beer caps, collect signatures from 10 people whose name starts with an "S" and serenade a complete stranger who is also 21 years of age. Divide the group up into at least two teams. Visit at least three bars to complete the scavenger hunt. The first team to complete the scavenger hunt wins a prize and bragging rights for the night.

Party Bus

Renting a party bus is a responsible way of bar hoping. It can also be fun -- like a party on wheels. Deck the inside and outside of the bus out in 21st birthday decor. Stock the bus up with various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Bring some of your favorite music to play. This party bus will allow you to travel safely to each bar, hop back on the party bus and party some more until you reach the next bar. These buses usually seat up to 30 people and must be rented for a minimum of four to five hours.

Customized T-Shirts

Create customized T-shirts. Have all the guests who will be attending wear the same color T-shirts that display a message. The message could be something like "Forever 21" or "John's Entourage." John can be replaced with the birthday person's name. This will help you identify your guests when you're out if it gets really crowded. Have a contest and offer a prize to the person who gets the most signatures on their T-shirt by the end of the night.

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Free Birthday Ideas For Husbands

Celebrate his birthday without going broke!

You do not have to be on a tight budget to decide that you want to find free activities for your husband's birthday. The most priceless gift is the gift of time spent together, creating memories, remembering the past and planning for the future. Does this Spark an idea?

Summer Birthdays

Take your husband to a free summer concert in the park. Most cities offer some type of concert series in the summer, so check with your Parks and Recreation department to find out what is available in your area. Pack a picnic and enjoy the music. Use the time to reconnect and talk.

Invite your husband's friends over for a backyard gaming tournament to celebrate his birthday. You can play bocce ball, ladder ball, horseshoes or any other back yard game you all enjoy. Set up a poster with tournament brackets and play until an ultimate winner is declared. Playing outside in your own backyard is free and you will create lasting memories.

Fall Birthdays

Go to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard and walk around for a few hours, taking in the beauty of the season and catching up with each other. Sometimes life gets so hectic that husbands and wives do not have time for long conversations, so give your husband the gift of a beautiful setting for a nice chat.

Attend a local high school football game and cheer for your home team. It may not be as exciting as an NFL game, but it's free. A great perk: football nights are usually a bit chilly so the two of you can cuddle like you are still in high school.

Winter Birthdays

Take your husband to Hallmark or the greeting card section of the grocery store. Look for birthday cards that remind you of him and show them to him to read. Look for sappy ones as well as cards that make you laugh until you cry. Pass cards back and forth for as long as you want. You will both get the benefit of reading the cards without the actual expense of buying them. This is an activity that can become a tradition for any holiday.

Build a snowman together. If you have children, build a snow family. If you do not have children, build snowmen to represent the children you hope to have someday. Hunt together for sticks for arms and old scarves to dress your snow creations. Take pictures of your finished product to capture the memory.

Spring Birthdays

Celebrate a spring birthday without spending any money by taking a stroll through a city park to see all of the flowers blooming. Swing on the swings and remember what it was like to be carefree. Take some time to laugh together and enjoy the promise of a new year.

Spend his birthday at the library. Many libraries have art displays, music rooms and more. Explore and discover everything yours has to offer. Find a book you both want to read. Take turns reading chapters to each other each night until the book is complete or get an audio book you can listen to together.

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Fun Games For Luau Party

Give guests plastic party leis as favors to take home.

When hosting a luau party, brighten the party up with fun decorations and party games. Give each guest a grass skirt and flower lei as she arrives to the party. When guests win games, award them with luau-themed prizes such as flower leis for boys and girls, coconut drinks, and tropical hairpieces for girls. Does this Spark an idea?

Prize Grab

Purchase several plastic rubber ducks and floating seashells for this game. Get a permanent marker and write the numbers "1," "2" and "3" on the bottoms of all the plastic objects. Fill a small plastic swimming pool or large bucket with water and add the items to the bucket/pool. Have three bags near the pool, one labeled "1," another marked "2," and and final one labeled "3." In each bag, put candy, party-favor items or other small prizes. Let each person use his teeth to grab a toy out of the pool; if the toy is marked "1," he gets a prize from the corresponding bag. To make this game different for older kids, use bigger prizes. Write the letters "S," "M" and "L" on the bottoms. Award the kids with small, medium and large prizes.

Hula Hoop Contest

Give each player a hula hoop and play some luau music. When the host yells, "Go!" each player should begin to hula-hoop. The player who can hula-hoop the longest wins the game.

Coconut Bowling

Buy several coconuts and pineapples. Set up the pineapples as bowling pins and use the coconuts as bowling bowls. Let each player bowl four times; the player who knocks down the most pins wins the game. Award a flower lei to any player who gets a strike.

Bead Table

For older guests, create a bead table. Purchase beads and seashells that have holes drilled in them. Spread the beads out on the table with some leather cord. Tie a knot on one end of the cord and allow party guests to make their own bracelets, anklets and necklaces. Award prizes for the most creative jewelry.

Pin the Monkey

Instead of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, play Pin the Monkey on the Palm Tree. Draw a large palm tree on poster board, then draw a banana in the palm tree. Draw or print several monkeys and write each player's name on them. Put two-sided tape on the back of each monkey. Blindfold each player and spin him three times, then face him toward the poster board. Each player tries to place the monkey in the palm tree closest to the banana. The player who pins her monkey closest to the banana wins the game.

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Birthday Ideas At Home

A birthday at home can be more fun than a birthday at a venue.

People tend to celebrate birthdays at home more than anywhere. Whether the birthday celebrant is 4 or 80, a home birthday party is more economical than some ballroom shindig. A person can use any themes, games or decorations they desire for a home birthday party. Birthday ideas at home can include a scavenger hunt or even a luau, nostalgia or trivia-themed party. The key is to make the party a lot of fun for the special birthday child or adult. Does this Spark an idea?

Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is an easy birthday party idea. Besides the typical decorations like balloons, hats and streamers, hide a number of items around the room, house or outdoors. Provide some clues to help people locate these items. For example, you can have individuals hunt for the items or divide people up into teams. The items can include plastic eggs with money, a variety of dolls or even books. The person or team that finds the most items wins, and you can reward them with a prize.

Luau Party

You can also throw a luau party at home for kids or adults. In the warm weather, plan the event around your pool, or just hold the party in the backyard. Section off a small area with some sand and a few large umbrellas. Include lots of lawn chairs for guests to relax and chat. Play Hawaiian or reggae music, like the song "Red Red Wine." You can also throw in some Jimmy Buffet tunes. Tell guests to wear grass skirts or Hawaiian shirts. Hang leis around their necks when they arrive. You should have plenty of pineapple and fruit drinks on hand.

Nostalgia Party

Another home birthday idea is a nostalgia party. A nostalgia party works best for someone who is at least 30 years old. The idea is to commemorate a specific decade or year in which a person graduated from high school. Invite old high school friends of the birthday celebrant to the party. Have people dress as they did as teens, according to Stretcher.com. Another option is to have a theme party. For example, if the birthday boy or girl graduated in the '70s, have people wear silk shirts like in the movie "Saturday Night Fever." Blow up some pictures of the person celebrating his birthday, and include old high school yearbook pictures of the guests.

Trivia-Based Party

Another birthday party idea at home is the trivia-based party. Create a quiz about the birthday celebrant's life, including questions from different time periods. For example, write 10 or 12 questions such as when the person met his wife, his favorite childhood hobby or even the name of a favorite dog. Post up some sheets of paper with one question and a photo per page. The person who correctly answers the most questions can win a prize.

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Hawaiian Flowering Trees

Hawaii is lush, green and mostly tropical.

A region with varying textures and soil conditions, Hawaii lends itself as home to a wide range of flowering plants and trees. The tropical, subtropical and temperate climates of this young U.S. state create a veritable melting pot of plant varieties. Knowing about some of the different flowering trees in Hawaii gives you an idea of how diverse the plant life is in this region. Does this Spark an idea?

Cherimola

Also called the custard apple, the cherimola tree thrives throughout Hawaii, South America and other warm, tropical areas. The flowering tree is both deciduous and evergreen, depending on the area in which it grows, and it produces delicate blossoms that become the delicious, sweet fruits. These blossoms are attractive and vary in color from white and beige to shades of pale pink or yellow. It's a fast-growing, woody tree that produces deep-green, waxy foliage and textured green applelike fruits after the flowers have died away.

Jasmine Sambac

These beautiful jasmine flowers are aromatic and velvety.

An evergreen shrub, jasmine sambac, or pikake, is a jasmine variety that thrives throughout Hawaii and other tropical regions. The deep, waxy green leaves of this jasmine variety are almost as aromatic as the night-blooming blossoms. Jasmine blossoms on the sambac shrub are bright, white and perhaps some of the most fragrant flowers a person will encounter. This species of jasmine is popular in perfumes, incenses and scented oils for a variety of uses. The flowers are also worn decoratively in the hair, or on a lei. Jasmine sambac is fast-growing, but features a tight root structure that allows it to be grown in a container in a tropically landscaped garden atmosphere.

Silk Tree

The silk tree, a variety of mimosa, is a common flowering tree in Hawaii. Home landscapes throughout tropical and subtropical climates also feature this ornamental tree because of its deep-green foliage and interestingly textured and colored florets. A deciduous flowering tree, the silk tree mimosa produces feathery blossoms that sprout sporadically from the branches of colors that vary from fuchsia and deep red to yellow and orange. The flowers of the silk tree appear to wiggle like tentacles in the breeze, giving it an almost eerie appearance that adds color and variety to your Hawaiian-inspired garden.

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Hawaiian Dinner Ideas

Bananas are an important part of Hawaiian cooking.

Make your Hawaiian-themed dinner as festive as possible with traditional foods and tropical decor, such as bowls of fresh flowers and tropical fruits. Many Hawaiian dishes are similar to Japanese, Filipino and other Asian cuisines, but some make more use of the tropical fruits available in the area for both flavor and color. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Main Dishes

Chicken adobo is a simple dish to make, and it generally achieves rave reviews from diners. Marinade chicken pieces in soy sauce, garlic and vinegar, or substitute lemon-lime soda for the vinegar to sweeten the chicken. Simmer the chicken in the marinade after it has soaked for several hours. Kalua pig is another traditional Hawaiian dish. Rub a pork roast with liquid smoke and salt, then wrap it in banana leaves or place whole bananas (peels and all) on the roast and wrap it in aluminum foil. Oven roast the pig over low heat for half a day or until cooked through and extremely tender. Serve it shredded over rice with pineapple chunks after removing the banana leaves or bananas.

Salads and Appetizers

Seafood and tropical fruit should be the focus of your Hawaiian dinner appetizers. Macadamia nut or coconut-crusted shrimp and lomi lomi salmon, a form of salt-preserved raw salmon, make excellent appetizers, especially when paired with fruit-flavored dipping sauces. Serve the salmon in a salad of chopped onions, tomatoes and lime or on a more standard American green salad. Create a fruit salad of papaya, pineapple and banana chunks, or serve the trio of fruit on toothpick skewers as an appetizer or a digestive aid between courses.

Desserts and Drinks

Mix guava, pineapple, orange and lemon juice with grenadine and ginger ale or seltzer water to create a tropical all-ages beverage. For adults, stir up some mai tais, margaritas, pina coladas or a pitcher of sangria to accompany the meal or follow it. Choose desserts that are centered on macadamia nuts, coconut milk, bananas, guavas or a combination of these items. Coconut or banana cream pie, haupia (a coconut pudding) and butter mochi (a coconut milk flan-like dessert) are all easily found at Asian markets and some standard grocery stores if you don't have time to make your own.

Tags: banana leaves, coconut milk, tropical fruits, your Hawaiian

Hawaiian Decoration Ideas

If you're throwing a Hawaiian-themed party, you could purchase inflatable palm trees and set out those little dashboard hula dolls for a quick fix. But why not go all out to decorate with lots of great, colorful ideas? Get your guests in the mood to hula and limbo by doing something a little more authentic and impressive. Here's the way to decorate for an awesome Hawaiian party.

Use Hawaiian Natural Resources---Even If They're Artificial

You can set the scene for an authentic Hawaiian party best if you decorate with the kinds of natural resources you would typically find in Hawaii. Granted, you may not have access to the real thing, depending on where you live. And that's why you may need to rely on artificial substitutes for some things, but try to use the real thing wherever you can.

Palm trees are a must-have. You can purchase life-size or close-to-life-size artificial palm trees you can use over and over again, or you can get little tabletop artificial palm trees to use as centerpieces to save money. Set them out throughout your party area.

You can also purchase artificial tropical leaves and flowers---like hibiscus flowers---and use them to accent everything from the buffet table to the bar. Set tropical leaves on the buffet table and set a food dish on each one to highlight your food display nicely.

Float real or artificial flowers in a swimming pool (if you have one) or in a fountain, birdbath or in clear glass bowls filled with water set around the room or patio area.

Spread some sand in a controlled area---even if you just fill a kiddie pool with it, you'll get a nice effect---and scatter seashells in the sand. Stand a couple of surfboards upright in the sand and toss a pair or two of brightly colored flip-flop shoes into the sand, as well.

Use raffia grass skirts to disguise tables and chairs. Drape sections of fishing nets from ceilings and on walls and tuck a faux starfish into the net.

Fill shallow wooden dishes or trays with red lava rocks---which you can purchase by the bag where lawn and garden supplies are sold. Push some of the lava rocks aside to make room for a primitive-looking tiki statue or warrior in the middle. This makes a great centerpiece or accents throughout your party area.

Incorporate coconuts and pineapples wherever you can. You can use the real thing for a centerpiece or table accent or hollow out the middle of one and fill it with other fruits, fruit on skewers and/or real or silk tropical flowers.

Get some coconut cups---either real or plastic---and add straws and tropical umbrellas to the drinks. Hang real or silk flower leis everywhere and make sure you have enough for your guests to wear, too.

Decorate with pieces of bamboo by hanging them at odd angles, and hang tribal masks on the wall. Put out small clear glass fishbowls and display real tropical fish, or decorate with fake tropical fish. Tuck a fake parrot into an artificial palm tree.

Fill your backyard or patio area with tiki or Polynesian torches, decorate with tiny white lights in the trees and start a bonfire. Then get ready for the party to begin!

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Hawaiian Decorations & Crafts

Orchids are perfect Hawaiian decoration accent pieces.

Hawaiian-themed parties are fun ways to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and summer breaks. You can make your own inexpensive Hawaiian decorations before your party, or use them as craft projects to keep children entertained and occupied during the festivities. Do-it-yourself paper leis, Hawaiian napkin rings and party mobiles are the perfect craft decoration projects for all ages. Does this Spark an idea?

Paper Leis

Homemade paper leis can be fun party favors to hand out to guests as they arrive or to have the guests make for themselves once they get to the party. You will need several boxes of cupcake liners and drinking straws, scissors, a wide-eyed embroidery needle and fishing twine.

Take a cupcake liner out of its package and bend both sides of the top together. Use the scissors to cut the top into a scalloped-shape flower. Repeat with several different colored cupcake liners. When you have enough flowers to make a lei, cut several drinking straws into 1-inch spacers and cut a small hole into the middle of the paper flower. Thread your wide-eyed embroidery needle with the fishing twine and sew the flowers to the straw spacers. When you have reached your desired length, tie together two string ends to complete the necklace.

Hawaiian Napkin Rings

You can make your own festive and affordable Hawaiian napkin rings to complement your party color scheme. You will need silk tropical flowers, such as birds of paradise, orchids, ginger or hibiscus, bright lime green, pink, turquoise and blue napkins, 1-inch thick bright pink ribbon and a hot-glue gun with glue stick.

First, cut out several 7- to 8-inch pieces of ribbon and hot glue each end together to make a ring. Then, use your hot glue gun to glue one silk flower to the center of each ring. Finally, bend one paper napkin into an accordion-style shape and insert into the napkin ring. You can use one paper napkin per ring or use two different colored paper napkins to create a wider, fan-like napkin.

Mobile

You can make your own Hawaiian party mobile to hang in your party room. You will need silk Hawaiian-style flowers, wooden beads, ribbon, a needle, thread, twine, stapler and beaded garland, cardboard and different sized beads.

First, cut out your desired shape for the top. You can cut out a square, circle or diamond pattern. Then, cut out a hole in the center of the top. You will want the hole to be the same shape as the top. Next, thread your needle and sew alternating beads and flowers onto the ribbon until it gets to be about 1 foot long. You will want to make four to six of these ribbon drops to hang from the top of your mobile.

Next, staple your ribbon drops to the back of the top of your mobile. You can then sew the beaded garland to the top of the mobile to create a draped design. Finally, use the twine to hang your mobile from the ceiling or any other tall space in your party room.

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Hawaiian Dance Steps

The hula is a lovely dance from the Hawaiian islands. It was once performed for kings and as part of religious ceremonies, but is now a popular form of entertainment at luaus for tourists. As the hula recounts a tale in the dance, learning the many hand and arm movements is required for a true Hawaiian hula dance. However, many of the basic dance steps, combined with simple graceful arm movements can produce a lovely, simplified hula.

Kaholo

This is the most important, fundamental step in the hula. It is a side-to-side traveling step, or three-step move. The basic pattern is step-together-step-touch. Then repeat traveling to the opposite side. In stepping, whether stepping to the side or stepping the feet back together, raise the stepping side hip by lifting up with the heel. The hips should lift and sink like the swells of the ocean waves. Hands here can do the classic hula wave to the side, trailing behind or waving on the opposite side in which you are traveling.

Ka'o

This is a basic hip sway in which you lift the heels of your feet alternately. Lift the heel and that hip then lift the other side. As with walking with the kaholo, the hips should sway like the ocean waves. While doing this basic movement in place, you can circle your arms up as if greeting the sun.

Uniu

Draw a figure eight with your hips. Push one hip forward, then out, then back and around to neutral. Then repeat by pushing the opposite hip out forward, out to the side, back and finish in neutral. Smooth this out until the finish of one hip flows naturally into the other hip. For the hands, as one hip pushes out and around, let the same hand complement this motion by sweeping out in offering and around.

Hela

This is a very pretty, classic Hawaiian move. Standing on one leg, gently stretch out the other foot at a 45-degree angle and touch it lightly to the floor. Sweep both arms out in a giving gesture with the foot. Step back and repeat the move with the opposite foot, repeating the arm gesture. The footwork is a basic hela. For a Double Hela, place the hands at the hips, bend over slightly, keeping the back straight, and touch the foot out in front twice before changing feet to repeat on the opposite side. In finishing your dance, use the hela foot posture, but bend over deeply with both arms stretched out in front as your final bow.

Ami

This is the recognizible hip circle. You can do your hip circles in either direction, circling to the right or left. Often the ami is done slow at first then may have a few fast circles to finish off the move. A popular arm position is to have the left arm bend at chest height, so the palm is face down and the hand in front of the chest while the right hand is at the hip. With the ami, you can take it to the ground by doing the ami while balancing on the toes and bending the knees as far down as you can go. As well, you can take the ami around the island by doing the ami while turning in a circle yourself.

Uwehe

This move most resembles part of the Chicken Dance. With the uwehe, you take a step with one foot in place then immedately (upon stepping) pop open the knees. Knees are bent and the weight shifts to the balls of the feet so that the heels rise off the ground. Step with the other foot and again, pop open the knees.

Tags: opposite side, bend over, both arms, circle your, doing while, hips should, ocean waves

Hawaiian Culture Weddings

Hawaiian Culture Weddings

Hawaiian weddings promise couples the same attractions as other tropical destinations -- brilliant sunlight, rhythmic tides and natural shorelines. Yet only Hawaii offers a distinct blend of Polynesian, Western, Filipino and Asian rituals in its cultural wedding ceremony.

Polynesian Traditions

Polynesian wedding customs celebrate nature and family. According to AlohaIslandWeddings.com, these traditions include a beach setting, tiki torches, the blowing of the pu (conch shell), lei (flower necklace) exchange, a sand ceremony, ukulele music and special blessings by the kahu (minister). For example, during the sand ceremony, multicolored sand is mixed together and poured out symbolizing two lives becoming one.

American Influence

After Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959, American tourism greatly increased the impact of Western culture on Hawaiian weddings. Today these ceremonies often contain similar U.S. religious and secular customs such as the ring exchange and blessing.

Asian and Filipino Customs

The state's Chinese, Japanese and Filipino populations also influence Hawaiian wedding traditions. Common customs include fireworks for protection (China); a money dance for good luck (Philippines); and origami cranes for long life and happiness (Japan).

Famous Ties

Elvis' famous "Hawaiian Wedding Song" is often played during these ceremonies, according to WorldWeddingTraditions.com.

Considerations

Couples may pick and choose from the various cultural traditions to create a wedding that is truly their own and represents them as a couple.

Tags: Culture Weddings, Hawaiian Culture, Hawaiian Culture Weddings, Hawaiian weddings, sand ceremony, these ceremonies

Hawaiian Cruises From Honolulu

A cruise is a great way to visit Hawaii.

Hawaii is one of the world's most popular vacation destinations, and a cruise through the islands is a great way to see them. A cruise from Honolulu makes is easy to visit several of the islands, ports, towns, beaches, and dramatic coastlines. Between the islands, enjoy the cruising lifestyle and watch for dolphins and whales.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

The cruise ship Pride of America from Norwegian Cruise Lines offers regularly scheduled week-long cruises from Honolulu, through the Hawaiian Islands, and back to Honolulu. The itinerary includes stops at the big island of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and an evening cruise past Mount Kilauea. Two overnight visits to Kauai and Maui allow extended exploration. The Pride of America can accommodate up to 2,146 guests, and features eight restaurants and 10 bars with different American history themes.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

7665 Corporate Center Drive

Miami, Florida 33126

305-436-4000

ncl.com

Princess Cruises

The Royal Princess cruise ship from Princess Cruises provides 12-day cruises out of Honolulu that visit the Hawaiian Islands, then proceed to the Polynesian Islands, and terminate in Tahiti. Hawaii stops include Hilo on the Big Island, Kauai, and Maui. Polynesian ports are Bora Bora and Raiatea before reaching Tahiti. The cruise includes five days at sea between Hawaii and Polynesia. The Royal Princess can carry 710 guests and includes a wood-paneled library with over 4,000 books for that long, open-ocean crossing.

Princess Cruise Lines/Carnival Corp.

3655 NW 87th Avenue

Miami, FL 33178-2428

305-599-2600

princess.com

Carnival Cruises

Carnival offers Hawaiian cruises that depart from Honolulu and terminate in either Ensenada, Mexico or Vancouver, Canada. The Carnival Spirit provides 12 days of cruising with stops in Kona and Hilo on Hawaii, Kauai, and two days in Maui before heading to the mainland. The Carnival Spirit has a passenger capacity of 2,124 on 12 decks. Ship amenities include a three-deck-high twister water slide, Egyptian-themed show room, casino, gourmet steakhouse, and a club for teens ages 15 to 17.

Carnival Cruise Lines

3655 NW 87th Avenue

Miami, FL 33178

305-406-4779

carnival.com

Tags: Cruise Lines, from Honolulu, Norwegian Cruise, Norwegian Cruise Lines, 3655 87th, 3655 87th Avenue

Hawaiian Crafts For Christmas

Celebrate Christmas with a Hawaiian twist.

In many parts of the world, Christmas celebrants cut down their holiday trees in the snow and decorate snowmen with Santa hats before going indoors to enjoy a hot drink under a blanket. However, places like Hawaii stay warm year round, eliminating the need for such traditions. While Hawaiian Christmas celebrations have the same intent as those in colder areas, its weather and culture necessitate some different traditions. If you live in a colder area and want to freshen your home with some tropical accents or want to teach your children how others celebrate Christmas, Hawaiian Christmas crafts are the way to go. Does this Spark an idea?

Poinsettia Leis

Hawaiian natives exchange leis, necklaces made of fresh flowers, as a sign of welcome and hospitality, feelings that should be shown at Christmas as well. Make your own Christmas leis with silk poinsettia flowers, available at craft stores. Gently pull the yellow centers from each flower; this should detach the petals from the stem. Slide the petals onto a long string and tie the ends of the string together. For an especially tropical feel, mix white and green poinsettias in with the red flowers or add a few tropical silk flowers, like orchids, to the mix. You can also spray the petals lightly with some tropical-scented perfume or essential oils. Hang them as garlands on the tree or give them to friends and family.

Hawaiian Christmas Cards

Create Hawaiian-themed Christmas cards to remind the recipients that warmer days are ahead and brighten their mood. Get some cardstock and a few tropical stencils, like pineapples, palm trees and birds of paradise. Paint each card with a tropical paradise scene using the stencils and write "Mele Kalikimaka," Hawaiian for "Merry Christmas," on each along with a personal message. Make the cards whimsical by painting a Christmas pine tree in the middle of a beach scene. You could also include a recipe for pineapple upside-down cake or a packet of tea made with tropical fruits.

Tropical Ornaments

If you want to create a Hawaiian theme for Christmas, the best place to start is the tree. Make Hawaiian-themed Christmas ornaments to use either by themselves or as a supplement to your existing ornaments. First, cover older and fading Christmas balls with Hawaiian-print fabrics and use the excess material to make tiny Hawaiian shirts that can hang on the tree with tiny wire hangers. Use modeling or sculpting clay to make tiny pineapples, palm trees, surf boards, and even tiny flip-flops. Slip wires into them while still soft and paint them with tempera paints when dry. String tropical flowers onto wire to make tiny leis or make a larger garland for your tree and redress your Christmas angel so she is wearing a pretty white sundress, a tiny lei and crown of tropical leaves, and holding a little pineapple to show hospitality.

Tags: Hawaiian Christmas, make tiny, Hawaiian-themed Christmas, palm trees, pineapples palm, pineapples palm trees

Family Home Evening Ideas For Singles

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon church, have a tradition of gathering together as families or small groups on Monday nights to share a fun activity or a spiritual lesson. These "Family Home Evenings" can present a challenge for singles who want to follow the spirit of this tradition but do not have family members readily available. There are many ways, however, that singles can honor the sacredness and value of family and community, even when they live alone.

Self

Singles have a great opportunity to spend time in quiet contemplation and study. Family Home Evening can be a time to study specific topics in the scriptures, memorize hymns, read conference talks and prepare lessons for church. Monday nights can also be used to write in your journal, make goals and spend extra time in prayer and to seek spiritual guidance.

Family

Even though singles may live far away from any family members, they can still keep the spirit of Family Home Evening by dedicating one evening per week to connecting with family in some way. Singles can write letters to family members, research their family's genealogy, record memories of family life, research and write down the history of an ancestor, or send out special occasion cards or notes of encouragement to various relatives. Singles with a large family that is spread out over several states could offer to build and maintain a blog that allows individual members to submit pictures and news so everyone can keep up with important events in the lives of family members.

Church

Many LDS congregations, or wards, have a special group for singles. These singles groups often meet for Family Home Evenings ,and individuals take turns hosting, presenting gospel lessons and providing refreshments. If a singles' group is not available in your area, consider joining a family in your ward that you are friends with and offer to present a lesson or bring a special treat. Elderly couples might particularly enjoy having an extra member join them for Family Home Evening. Another idea is to set aside a weekly or monthly time to visit the temple in honor of Family Home Evening.

Community

Singles can use Family Home Evening to perform service in their communities. Volunteer to help with an adult literacy program, animal rescue group or to help out at a homeless shelter to improve your community and serve the people who live there. If you'd rather stay home, you can make a quilt for a humanitarian aid organization, volunteer to take calls for emergency helplines or write letters of encouragement to military personnel, missionaries or church leaders.

Tags: Family Home, Family Home Evening, Home Evening, family members, Family Home Evenings

Hawaiian Crafts

The Hawaiian Islands have a distinguished culture with numerous traditions and beliefs. Many of the traditions and beliefs can be seen in the Hawaiian crafts, which can be purchased as souvenirs and as a way to remember the rich culture of Hawaii.

Koa Wood Items

Koa is the largest endemic tree growing in Hawaii. Koa trees can grow to be more than 100 feet high, and their trunk diameter can be more than 5 feet. The color of koa wood varies from chocolate brown to deep red and different shades of brown. The Koa tree is listed as an endangered species because it provides habitat for many endangered native Hawaiian species. Because of this many artists use standing deadfalls to create their crafts. Historically, koa wood was used to build spears and paddles and for ocean canoes made from a single trunk. Today koa wood is the most valued cabinet and furniture wood in Hawaii. In addition, koa wood is used to make guitars, ukuleles, jewelry, pens, bowls and other kitchen items. Many koa wood crafts sold in Hawaii are actually made in the Philippines, so be sure to check the origin of your koa wood craft before purchasing it.

Kukui Nut Leis

Hawaiians used kukui nuts as candles in their homes. In addition, the oil from the kukui nut has been the natural way Hawaiians protected and healed their skins against the sun, winds and saltwater for centuries. Hawaiian royalty wore kukui nuts, also known as jewel nuts, as leis to mark rank. Therefore, today kukui nut leis are a sign of great importance. Today, kukui nut leis are worn in special occasions and given as gifts in weddings and graduations. Each kukui nut in the lei is polished and sanded and often also hand-painted. A kukui nut lei is a one-of-a-kind gift because no two kukui nuts are alike in color, size and luster. In addition to kukui nuts, many kukui nut leis have shells, seeds and carved beads to make the lei truly a unique piece.

Hawaiian Quilts

Quilting arrived to Hawaii with the missionaries in 1820. The westernization of the Hawaiian Island made cotton fabric available, which made it possible for Hawaiians to start create quilts from cotton cloth instead of kapa, a cloth made from the inner bark of native trees. The traditional Hawaiian appliquéd quilting style usually has a single design, similar to a paper snowflake, with symmetrically from the center and covering the entire quilt. In addition, traditional Hawaiian quilts are usually made with two solid colors, one color being the background and one the appliquéd design. Today many Hawaiian quilts have more than two colors, and appliqué designs include many nature-inspired curved lines and images. In addition, Hawaiian quilting is used to make pillowcases, tablecloths, kitchen mitts and many other household cloth items.

Tags: kukui nuts, kukui leis, more than, made from, more than feet, than feet, traditional Hawaiian

Disney World Magic Kingdom Hotels

There are several hotels near the Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is one of the largest resort areas in the world. Complete with four theme parks, two water parks, two shopping and entertainment areas and 24 hotels, Walt Disney World covers the area of a small city. One of the resort's theme parks, the Magic Kingdom, is modeled after Disneyland in California and sits next to Seven Seas Lagoon at the northern end of the resort.

Disney's Contemporary Resort

Located alongside the Magic Kingdom's southeast corner, Disney's Contemporary Resort is one of the original hotels built when Walt Disney World first opened. Complete with contemporary architecture to give it a modern look, the A-frame structure is one of Walt Disney World's signature structures and has the distinction of having the monorail run right through it.

Once inside the hotel, you will notice a large atrium with a 90-foot mural dedicated to the Grand Canyon. Activities at this hotel include two swimming pools, one of which has a waterslide, water craft rentals, a beach with beach volleyball nets, the Olympiad Fitness Center and the Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf Course. The hotel also has several restaurants, including the California Grill on the 15th floor of the hotel, which offers views of the surrounding resort area.

All rooms at this hotel have standard amenities, including kitchens, microwaves, private balconies, fully furnished linens, flat screen TVs, and safes.

Disney's Contemporary Resort

4600 World Drive

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

407-824-1000

disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/contemporary-resort

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

Located across Seven Seas Lagoon from the Contemporary Resort and southwest of the Magic Kingdom theme park, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is a Victorian-themed hotel which is supposed to pay homage to the resort hotels that called Florida home during the early 20th century.

Complete with red gables, the hotel features a five-story atrium with two signature chandeliers. The hotel features two pool areas: one which is complete with waterfalls and a waterslide, while the other one is more low-key. Other activities at this hotel include watercraft rentals, the beach along Seven Seas Lagoon, the Grand Floridian Spa and Health Club, tennis courts, and a jogging trail. Many restaurants are found at this hotel, such as the 1900 Park Fare, which features the Wonderland Tea Party everyday at 2 p.m.

All rooms are complete with satellite TV, a DVD player, high-speed Internet access, a refrigerator, a whirlpool bathtub, and an in-room safe.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

4401 Floridian Way

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

407-824-3000

disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/grand-floridian-resort-and-spa

Disney's Polynesian Resort

This low-rise hotel, located on the south side of Seven Seas Lagoon and just across from the Magic Kingdom, is a tropically-themed hotel complete with lush scenery, koi ponds, and thatched roof buildings. The hotel is marked by its signature Volcano Pool, a swimming pool complex with a 40-foot volcano and water slide. Another feature of this resort is the Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, a dinner show with Polynesian food, traditional music, and a guest appearance from Lilo and Stitch.

Other activities at this hotel include watercraft rentals from the Mikala Canoe Club Marina, bike rentals, Moana Mickey's Arcade, and jogging trails. Restaurants at this hotel include the Kona Cafe and 'Ohana.

All rooms at this hotel feature standard amenities, including cable TV, alarm clocks, air conditioning, desks, a refrigerator, a microwave on-request, and a safe. Some rooms have a private balcony.

Disney's Polynesian Resort

1600 West 7 Seas Drive

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

407-824-2000

disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/polynesian-resort

Tags: this hotel, Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian, hotel include

Aaa Approved Motels With Discounts In Hawaii

AAA discounts are available at a number of Hawaii hotels.

Many national and international hotel chains with locations in Hawaii offer AAA members year-round discounts. Depending on the hotel and the time of year the reservations are made, additional discounts may also be available. In addition to discounts on the room, other hotel-related discounts may be open to AAA members.

Best Western Coconut Waikiki

AAA members can receive 10 percent off the best available rate at the time of booking for all four of Best Western's Hawaii locations. There are two Best Western hotels in Honolulu and one each in Kapaa and Lahaina. The Best Western Coconut Waikiki Hotel in Honolulu was recently renovated. The hotel offers a fitness center, a pool and sunbathing deck, complimentary breakfast and air conditioning and is a half mile from both Waikiki Beach and the Honolulu Zoo.

Best Western Coconut Waikiki Hotel

450 Lewers St.

Honolulu, HI 96815

808-923-8828

book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=12015

Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk Resort

AAA members can receive 5 percent off the best available price at time of booking. The only Embassy Suites in Hawaii is located in Honolulu. The Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk Resort is located within walking distance of Waikiki Beach and features swimming pools, restaurants, a fitness center and conference rooms. The hotel has more than 350 rooms, all with complimentary breakfasts and a nightly manager's reception.

Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk Resort

201 Beach Walk St.

Honolulu, HI 96815

1-800-230-4134

embassysuiteswaikiki.com/

Hyatt Regency Waikiki

AAA members can receive up to 25 percent off the Hyatt daily rate at participating hotels. Members can also enter code "BREAKF" to receive free daily breakfasts for two. The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa has an outdoor pool with twin Jacuzzi overlooking Waikiki Beach. Families with kids can enroll them in Camp Hyatt Waikiki, which offers many child-oriented outdoor activities. The hotel also offers surfing, snorkeling and sunbathing equipment for guest use.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa

2424 Kalakaua Ave.

Honolulu, HI

808-923-1234

hyatt.com/hyatt/resorts/hawaii/waikiki/

Renaissance Hotel

AAA members can receive 5 percent discounts off the best available rate at time of booking. Larger discounts may be available depending on the season. The Renaissance Hotel Ilikai Hotel & Suites is located on Waikiki Beach just a few miles from the Hawaii Convention Center and other area attractions. The hotel offers beautiful ocean views as well as a pool and full spa services.

Ilikai Hotel & Suites

1777 Ala Moana Blvd.

Honolulu, HI 96815

1-866-406-2782

ilikaihotel.com/html/waikiki-hotel-reservation.asp

Tags: Waikiki Beach, Best Western, Beach Walk, Embassy Suites, members receive, members receive percent

Hawaiian Christmas Gifts

"Mele Kalikimaka" means "Merry Christmas" in Hawaiian.

During Christmas in Hawaii, it is common to hear the phrase "Mele Kalikimaka", which is pronounced "meh-leh kah-lee-kee-mah-kah". The phrase is used in a Hawaiian Christmas song with these lyrics: "Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day. That's the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway. Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright, the sun to shine by day and all the stars at night. Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you." Give a gift from the islands with a Hawaiian Christmas gift.

Ornaments

If you are visiting Hawaii, pick up Christmas ornaments to commemorate your trip and to give to others back home. Select ornaments with a direct Hawaiian theme. For example, you might select a Christmas ornament that displays leis or hula dancers.

Music

Purchase a music CD of traditional Hawaiian Christmas songs. You can buy CDs from several online vendors. Make sure the music features the ukulele, a traditional Hawaiian musical instrument that looks like a small guitar, either in part or whole.

Greeting Cards

Purchase a set of Hawaiian Christmas greeting cards from several online vendors---or make your own cards by uploading photographs you have taken in Hawaii onto a professional greeting card design site. As long as the resolution of the photographs is large enough according to specifications of the card design website, you will be able to produce a sharp, creative greeting card that also will be unique.

Desserts

Purchase or make a Hawaiian Christmas cake such as a pineapple macadamia nut cake or a chocolate haupia (coconut) pie and package it in a Christmas box. Serve these desserts at Christmas parties and other gatherings, or give them away as personal Christmas season treats.

Tags: Hawaiian Christmas, Mele Kalikimaka, card design, from several, from several online, greeting card

Hawaiian Bulletin Board Ideas

Hawaii boasts a verdant tropical environment and a rich history.

While bulletin boards provide a convenient place to hang reminders, display calendars or highlight upcoming events, plain bulletin boards can look drab. Whether you are a classroom teacher readying a Hawaii-themed unit or a teenager looking to bring more aloha into your tropical-themed bedroom, decorating a bulletin board with a Hawaiian theme will give the room an exotic flavor.

Waves Bottom Border

Cut out a silhouette of waves from blue paper and staple it along the bottom of the cork part of the bulletin board. A waves border evokes the ocean surrounding the islands that comprise Hawaii and the surfing that is such a large part of Hawaiian culture. Apply the wave border last -- after all the other decorations you wish to apply to the board -- to avoid overlap.

State Silhouette

Make the centerpiece of the bulletin board a large silhouette of the Hawaiian islands. Print an outline map of Hawaii and cut out the individual islands. Find glossy magazine photos of tropical scenes, such as a Hawaiian rainforest, a lush waterfall or a glowing volcano. Use the map cutouts as tracing templates on the backs of the magazine photos. Cut out the magazine photo "islands" and glue, staple or tape them to the bulletin board, creating a silhouette map of Hawaii that shows the diversity of the state's natural environment.

Lei Frame Cover

Hide the bulletin board's frame with leis, the traditional Hawaiian flower necklaces that are sometimes presented to travelers upon arriving in Hawaii. Purchase leis made with artificial flowers and cut the strings upon which the flowers are strung, forming long strands rather than loops. Tape or staple the strands of flowers along the frame until it is completely covered.

Vintage Surfing Images Background

Purchase a book of vintage surfing images or print copies of them from online archives. Create a background collage on the bulletin board showing early photographs of surfing. Consider creating a sort of photo timeline of the history and evolution of surfing in Hawaii, from the people on massive wooden log-like boards in the early 1900s to the acrobats on short boards of today.

Tags: bulletin board, bulletin board, bulletin boards, magazine photos

Creative Luau Party Invitation Ideas

Origami bird invitations, mailed flat, get unfolded by the recipient to reveal party details.

The invitation you send inviting guests to a luau can set the spirit and mood of the party before it ever starts. The more creative the invitation, the more eager the anticipation your guests will have for your luau. Making your own personalized invitations to send or hand deliver is the first indication your guests will get of the special care and preparation you're putting into the event. Does this Spark an idea?

Origami

The Oriental art of paper folding, called origami, is a specialty choice for do-it-yourself luau invitations. Although many origami designs are intended to be three-dimensional, they easily flatten for mailing. You can write the luau party details on the sail of a sailboat creation or on the wings of a bird. Other foldable origami creations suitable to a luau that you can simply fold for mailing and attach as decoration to standard cards include tropical fish, Hawaiian shirts and tropical flowers. Make more origami birds, flowers and fish as table decorations and to hang from the ceiling or house plants. Origami boats and Hawaiian shirts also can hold candy party favors.

Travel Theme

Create the sense of an impending visit to a tropical paradise by sending your guests luau invitations that look like airline travel tickets. Design them to look like real airline tickets, except that the luau party details substitute for departure time (time the luau begins), airport (location of the luau), airline (use your last name) and any other details you want to include. Attach a tropical travel brochure to your ticket invitation, acquired from your local travel agency, to enhance the effect.

Three-Dimensional

Make three-dimensional luau invitations if you'll be hand-delivering them. Make mini paper leis and attach one to the corner of each invitation. Alternatively, make full-size leis and ask your guests wear them to the luau.

Message-in-a-bottle 3D invitations. Get small bottles at discount stores, thrift shops or yard sales, one for each invitation. The bottles don't need to be identical, just small. Put some white sand, small sea shells and a few translucent colored beads in the bottles. Write your luau party information on parchment paper, then roll up the parchment and insert one sheet into each bottle.

Hand-delivery is the best choice for all 3D invitations to protect them but, if that's not feasible, ship them in small boxes or well-padded envelopes.

Tags: your guests, luau invitations, luau party, party details, each invitation, guests luau

Hawaiian Birthday Theme Crafts

If you're hosting a birthday event with a Hawaiian theme, let guests express their creativity with craft activities throughout the party. Choose projects that feature shapes, colors and images that represent Hawaii or the islands' relaxed beach atmosphere. Partygoers will not only go home with fond memories of the festivities, but also a colorful, handmade Hawaiian souvenir. Does this Spark an idea?

Create Tropical Picture Frames

Adults and kids can design a frame to hold a commemorative picture that they take with the guest of honor at the party. Give each guest a padded paper photo frame, a small acrylic box frame or a chipboard photo mat for a four-by-six-inch picture. Provide acrylic paints, alphabet rubber stamps, stamping ink, markers and an assortment of Hawaiian-themed stickers, die cuts, foam shapes and buttons. As each guest completes a frame, add two strips of magnetic adhesive to the back to turn it into a refrigerator magnet.

Assemble Foam Flower Leis

Organize a Hawaiian theme craft that guests can also wear during the festivities. Measure a piece of embroidery floss, thin ribbon, jute or stretch cording to ensure the lei will slip easily over the guest's head. Let partygoers thread colorful foam, paper or silk flowers onto the string before tying it closed. As a deluxe touch, also let guests add wood or plastic beads between each flower.

Design Sand Prints

Let younger party guests create sand pictures of images like palm trees, shells, tree frogs and sunny beaches or birthday motifs like a cake, presents and balloons. Print the themed coloring pages onto cardstock. Let the kids use a paintbrush to cover one section of the picture with a thin layer of glue. Sprinkle colored sand onto the glue and shake the excess onto a piece of paper so you can pour it back into the container. Paint glue on the second section and sprinkle it with a different shade of sand. Continue the process until the entire picture is covered.

Embellish Flip Flops

Kids and teens will love wearing colorful flip flops with custom-designed embellishments. Give each guest a pair of rubber flip flops and access to a tray of accessories like ribbon, self-adhesive gems, paint pens, paper flowers and tropical-themed charms to design a funky pair of shoes. Also let them design a pair as a Hawaiian birthday craft to give to the birthday honoree as a gift.

Make Tropical Drink Charms

Help adults keep track of their tropical drinks at the party by designing cocktail glass charms. Let each guest choose a metal charm such as a palm tree, martini glass, flip flop, sun, sand dollar, conch shell or tropical flower, for example. Ensure you've only got one of each charm available to avoid confusion. Show guests thread the charm and two to four small round beads onto a pre-made silver wire ring or a piece of silver memory wire bent into a one-inch circle. Slip the Hawaii-themed craft project around the stem of a cocktail glass to easily identify each guest's beverage when it comes time to toast the birthday party's guest of honor.

Tags: each guest, cocktail glass, flip flops, Give each, Give each guest

Cheap Honeymoons In Hawaii

A Hawaii honeymoon does not have to break the bank.

Hawaii is a fantastic honeymoon destination, offering a chance to relax in a romantic, tropical setting. It offers much more than just beaches. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, helicopter tours and spectacular nature sightseeing are all popular activities. However, Hawaii is not the cheapest vacation; airfare and hotels often cost more than most U.S. destinations. Yet, some inexpensive options do exist for honeymooners in Hawaii.

All-Inclusive Options

Several websites are devoted entirely to offering discounted, all-inclusive packages to Hawaii. Most include airfare, rental car and hotel stay. Some also include other items like meals, tours and activities.

You can also search for all-inclusive resorts, which include meals and drinks with the price of your room. Kona Village Resort is such a resort on the big island of Hawaii, as is Kaanapali Beach Hotel on Maui. Visit konavillage.com to make a reservation at Kona Village Resort, and visit kbhmaui.com to make a reservation at Kaanapali Beach Hotel.

Finally, plan your honeymoon during the summer months, which tend to be less expensive. Many travel to Hawaii to escape the winter and see the whales between December and April, so a trip during the summer off-season could save you hundreds in discounts.

Private House

Staying at a private house may initially seem more expensive than a hotel, but two options make a private house considerably cheaper. The first is asking a friend or relative with a house or time share in Hawaii to let you stay there on your honeymoon for free. If you know someone, ask well in advance. The second option is to sign up for a house swap. Several websites allow you to list your home as a lodging option for travelers looking to visit your area. In return, you can choose from privately-owned houses to lodge during your trip to Hawaii. There is usually a fee to register on the site, but once you become a member, you can coordinate swaps with other members. Usually you can stay at the house for free, as long as you agree to the owner's rules and those same terms for your house

A few house swap sites are homexchangevacation.com, homeexchange.com and homeforexchange.com; you can also use a search engine to locate other sites.

Go Camping

If you and your new spouse like camping, consider that option to save hundreds a day in hotel costs. You can camp on every island in Hawaii, though some areas are restricted. Other areas, like state parks, allow free camping, though you must pay a small entrance fee. You give up the luxurious resort experience, but camping is a great way to connect with the island, and with each other--all while saving a lot of money.

Tags: also search, Beach Hotel, during summer, house swap, island Hawaii, Kaanapali Beach, Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Carnival Game Ideas For Children

Small prizes are essential for carnival games.

The best carnival game ideas for children are ones that remain age-appropriate and combine both skill and chance activities. Offering both skill-based and chance-based carnival games provides every child with a chance to win a prize, regardless of their skill level. The games should also be visually appealing and use the cheerful colors common to a carnival setting.

Alien Bowling

Turn plastic bottles into aliens for a carnival bowling game. Each bowling pin consists of a 2-liter soda bottle decorated to look like a green alien. A star-decorated wooden plank provides an alley and a red "comet" kickball provides the bowling ball. Each child has two chances to roll the "comet" down the "stars" and knock over the "aliens." Prizes can include plastic alien figurines, spaceship lollipops and plastic alien-eye sunglasses.

Butterfly Beanbag Toss

Combine bright colors and flower-shaped beanbags for a butterfly-themed carnival game. The large, plywood game board consists of a colorful butterfly picture with small holes in the middle of each upper wing and large holes in the middle of each lower wing. Each child has three chances to toss a flower beanbag into the butterfly holes. Prizes can include plastic butterfly necklaces, bee-decorated bouncy balls and flower lollipops.

Fishing Pond

A fishing pond is a classic carnival game that results in a prize for every player. Plastic ducks with different colored paint dots on the bottom and small magnet strips on the top sit in the water-filled kiddy pool. Each child uses a stick with a magnet hanging from a string to catch one of the ducks. The color of the dot on the bottom of the duck determines which prize the player receives. Prizes can include Silly Putty, friendship bracelets and mini water guns.

Monster Rock Toss

Create foam balls that look like rocks for a ball-toss carnival game with a monster theme. The large wooden game board consists of a giant monster face with the lower two-thirds of the board covered by a giant snarling mouth. Every third tooth in the mouth is cut away to provide several holes to toss the rocks into. Each child has three chances to toss the rocks into the holes to "feed" the monster and win a prize. Prizes can include a rock candy stick, monster stickers and a monster jawbreaker.

Penny Drop

Decorate a large clear plastic bin to create a chance-based carnival game. The decorated, water-filled bin consists of large seashells and treasure chests scattered randomly across the sand painted bottom. Each child has three chances to drop a penny into the bin. If the penny drops into one of the containers, the player wins a prize. Prizes can include a plastic fish that squirts water, seashell sidewalk chalk and gold foil-covered chocolate coins.

Tags: Each child, Prizes include, carnival game, child three, child three chances, Each child three, include plastic

Hawaiian Backyard Wedding Ideas

Bring a piece of Hawaii into your own backyard.

A Hawaiian backyard wedding is an ideal way to plan an inexpensive wedding with lots of character. Choosing the correct wedding apparel, d cor, menu and music are key aspects of developing the perfect Hawaiian wedding. With proper planning, you can create a beautiful Hawaiian-themed wedding right in your own backyard. You can be sure that your special day will also be a memorable one for your wedding guests for years to come.

Wedding Apparel

Leis are a must for a Hawaiian-themed wedding.

There are a few different clothing options you might choose from when planning your Hawaiian wedding. If you would like to wear a traditional white wedding dress, try one in a mermaid style. Alternatively, go with a more casual white sundress. Your groom could choose a traditional tuxedo with a Hawaiian print ascot or, if you agree on going casual, slacks with a Hawaiian shirt. Dress your bridesmaids in brightly colored Hawaiian-print sundresses or in simple cotton sundresses in solid colors. Put your groomsmen in khaki shorts with Hawaiian shirts, and finish the look with sandals and flowered leis and hakus. If you want to take the Hawaiian theme full tilt, incorporate grass skirts and coconut bras or bikini tops.

Wedding D cor

The element of sand should feature prominently in any Hawaiian-themed wedding.

For your Hawaiian backyard wedding, you may choose a sand ceremony instead of the more traditional unity candle ceremony. In a sand unity ceremony, the bride and groom pour sand in various colors from two small glass vases into one larger one, layering the sand as a symbol of their joining together. Use this sand theme throughout your backyard Hawaiian wedding. Use a variety of glass vases filled with layered sand for centerpieces; top the sand with a scattering of seashells.

Luau Wedding Menu

Serve tropical drinks from a tiki bar.

The wedding dinner at a Hawaiian-themed wedding should be served luau style with roast pork and lomilomi salmon as the main course. Pair these with a variety of traditional Hawaiian delicacies including chicken long rice, poke, a variety of cold salads, and, of course, poi and pineapple. Fancy volcano drinks and other Hawaiian drinks served from a tiki bar will add a touch of authenticity to your Hawaiian decor.

Wedding Music

Ukelele music will serve as the perfect mood-setter.

No Hawaiian wedding is complete without a rendition of Elvis' Hawaiian Wedding Song or the traditional "Lei Aloha, Lei Makamae." Find someone who can play a ukulele, and have him strum a romantic tune while you make your way down the aisle; otherwise, work with your DJ to research and choose a variety of Hawaiian tunes, both traditional and contemporary.

Tags: Hawaiian wedding, Hawaiian-themed wedding, with Hawaiian, your backyard, your Hawaiian

Hawaiianstyle Wedding Attire

Hawaiian-style clothing makes a wedding even more festive.

Whether taking place on a cliff overlooking the ocean, standing on a sandy beach or at a venue in your own home town, a wedding in Hawaiian-style clothes and accessories will make your special event even more memorable. Choose authentic clothing made in Hawaii or design your own island look blending formal tradition with a laid-back tropical flavor. Does this Spark an idea?

The Bride

A Hawaiian-style wedding dress tends toward a casual, beach-friendly design. As with any bridal gown, the bride must select a look that best suits her figure and personal style. Strapless or sleeveless dresses with low-cut necklines are often chosen for Hawaiian-style affairs. Rayon is a fabric that drapes beautifully and is well suited for a Hawaiian-themed wedding dress.

The Groom

The groom can pair a white Hawaiian shirt with casual pants, shorts or tuxedo trousers, depending on the formality of the occasion. Often constructed of rayon for free-flowing movement, the Hawaiian wedding shirt usually features a subtle pattern or a simple design. A classic white suit is another option for the groom.

Accessories

Leis add Hawaiian flair to any wedding.

Many Hawaiian-style brides wear a lei on her head instead of a traditional bridal veil. Leis are constructed of natural materials native to Hawaii, such as fresh flowers (orchids, hibiscus or plumeria), shells or nuts. Choose a material that complements the bride and her wedding dress. A combination of a flower wreath with a trailing veil creates a modern Hawaiian style with a traditional formal influence. Other head wear might include a barrette or hair comb featuring flowers or other decorations. Brides can also wear island-influenced jewelry, such as chokers and bracelets made of mother of pearl or shells.

The Bridal Party

The entire bridal party, in addition to the groom, can wear leis for the wedding event. Flower leis are often worn by the bridesmaids and other special women in the ceremony, while more-masculine leis constructed of leafy vines, or kukui nuts from Hawaii's state tree, are favored for groomsmen. For Hawaiian-themed weddings on the mainland, silk leis are a less expensive alternative to fresh flowers and nuts. Bridesmaids can wear Hawaiian print dresses or simple designs in bright colors. Groomsmen can dress more formally or sport bright Hawaiian shirts with shorts, depending on the level of formality.

Tags: wedding dress, even more, fresh flowers

Hand Painted Wine Glass Ideas For A Hawaiian Bridal Shower

Plumeria flowers are a Hawaiian wedding tradition.

A lovely Hawaiian bridal shower may evoke a spirit of Aloha and visions of the islands. Incorporating tropical colors, flowers and themes to provide a warm welcome for shower guests and the bride-to-be is relatively easy. A look at Hawaiian destination wedding sites will provide authentic images for inspiration. Viewing artwork of Hawaiian artists is another idea starter. When considering hand painted wine glasses for a shower, many Hawaiian theme ideas are possible.

Hawaiian Flowers

A lovely lei made of hibiscus flowers.

Some of the loveliest wine glasses feature the flowers traditionally grown on the islands. These are often used in leis, the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres and garlands at the wedding site. Artistic paintings of plumeria, hibiscus, lilies, orchids and birds of paradise are also available on glassware. Any of these tropical flowers make excellent wine glass choices for a shower. When painted by local Hawaiian artists, these glasses may become even more meaningful to shower guests.

Hawaiian Fruit and Plants

A pineapple growing at a plantation.

Pineapples have long been a part of Hawaiian culture. As a traditional symbol of welcome, these luscious fruits are often seen decorating wine glasses. A natural choice as a wedding theme, coordinating the shower glasses with invitations and other decor is easy when using this popular Hawaiian fruit. Other artistic inspirations include breadfruit, bananas, ginger, agave, sugar cane and their distinctive leaves.

Sea Shells and Sea Life

A cross section of a beautiful nautilus shell.

Including wine glasses decorated with sea shells, fish, sea horses, turtles, coral or underwater scenes may bring to mind long days near the Hawaiian ocean. Hawaiian artists capture these forms in whimsical and elegant versions on home decor, clothing, jewelry, artwork and glassware. For many beach lovers, these designs might be the best thematic material for a seaside bridal shower.

A Sense of Humor

A brightly colored Pacific reef fish.

If a casual shower is planned, and those attending are expecting loads of fun, then the shower theme might include flip flops, bathing suits, cute cartoon palm trees or fish. Colorful versions of each of these may be purchased to fit right in with the party decorations.

Tags: wine glasses, Hawaiian artists, bridal shower, shower guests

Handson Activities For School

Hands-on activities help children learn in a practical and sensory way.

Dr. Karen Burke, at WaysWeLearn.com, explains that students of all ages often learn best through hands-on activities. Children are motivated to learn because hands-on activities are fun. But they also learn new skills and concepts in a practical, sensory way, develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. They may also feel less anxious about failure because many hands-on learning resources are "self-corrective."

Science Fun

Activities with food offer many opportunities for learning in science. For example, baking bread enables younger children to explore materials, such as the texture of the dough. They can observe changes, such as how it sticks together when water is added and discuss how and why it rises when cooked in the oven. Older children can follow up the baking activity by recording results and doing fair tests. For example, they could investigate the best ways to store the bread to keep it fresh for longer.

Practical Math

A hands-on approach to math includes apparatus such as cubes and dominoes. In her book, "Hands on Math," Kathleen Fletcher Bacer explains how children can use a set of dominoes to help them learn addition. For example, challenge children to find a domino that solves the sum of 9 and encourage their problem-solving skills with the instruction, "Don't use the same domino twice." As a follow-up to math hands-on activities, children can record their findings on a worksheet, enabling them to begin the transition from hands-on learning to more abstract learning in mathematics.

Malleable Art

Malleable art materials, such as clay and salt dough, let children engage in creative thinking without worrying too much about the end result. Young children can explore salt dough with their hands, pressing and squeezing it into different shapes and piling it all back together if they wish to start again. Talk to young children and describe their actions as they play, to extend their vocabulary and learning. For example, say: "I can see that you are squeezing the dough into a long, thin shape." For older children, hands-on learning with malleable materials involves working more closely on representations of their ideas. In their book, "Create Anything With Clay," Sherri Haab and Laura Torres suggest teaching all children make basic shapes from clay, such as balls, logs, circles and flat sheets because "every creation is simply the basic shapes stuck together in new ways."

Tags: hands-on learning, basic shapes, children explore, hands-on activities, materials such

Handmade Party Decorations

A handmade centerpiece adds a personal touch to a party.

Party decorations from big-box stores lack the personal touch of handmade decorations. With some creativity and basic craft supplies, party hosts can create handmade decorations that are more original than store-bought counterparts. Does this Spark an idea?

Benefits

Handmade party decorations add a personal touch to the celebration. Making your decorations at home means that the decorations can match your party's theme and color scheme. You can also incorporate pictures of the guest of honor into your decorations, making them unique.

Types

You can add personalization to all types of decorations. Paint pots and vases to hold flowers for centerpieces, or create a photo collage to hang on the wall that features the birthday girl. Frame your handmade invitation to display at the party, or create a digital slide show featuring pictures of family celebrations past.

Considerations

Limit your handmade decorations to a few items. Many handmade decorations can take time, and you don't want to be overwhelmed as the party approaches. Instead, choose two or three big projects, and complement your handmade decorations with store-bought linens or fresh flowers.

Tags: handmade decorations, personal touch, your handmade, your decorations, your handmade decorations

Handmade Monkeythemed Invitations

Incorporate monkey-themed toys into loot bags and party favors.

The image of a monkey evokes fun, whimsical feelings and thoughts of bananas, the jungle and big green trees. If you're making monkey invitations, keep the theme going with a monkey-centric cake, cupcakes and loot bags. Incorporate party games like a monkey pinata, and transform Pin the Tail on the Donkey into Pin the Tail on the Monkey.

Paper

Black and white images of monkeys dress up an adult party.

You can use almost any color paper as a background for your monkey invitations. Steer toward white or light-colored paper if you're using rubber stamps or creating your own monkey pattern on the backdrop; you don't want a dark or shiny paper to overshadow your hard and impressive work. Monkeys love bananas, so consider using yellow as the backdrop. A pale beige, pale pink or blue also work as suitable backdrops.

Accesories

Add brown faux fur to the invitation as a fun touch. Incorporate it as a trim, or cover a stenciled monkey in brown faux fur. Emboss yellow bananas and green leafy trees as a backdrop on the cover of the invitation. Weave ribbons through the edge of the invite; select a color that coordinates with the remainder of your invitation.

Tools

High-quality scissors, a paper cutter, crafting glue, a glue stick and monkey, banana and leaf stencils as well as crafting paint and an assortment of fabric are among the tools you need to assemble your homemade monkey invitations. Use a long, flat surface and make your invitations assembly-line style.

Using the Theme

A cute little brown monkey theme is an image that works for many baby showers. A monkey theme also works for a children's birthday party or even for an adult party; perhaps you can play on the idea of monkey business.

Tags: monkey invitations, adult party, brown faux, loot bags, monkey theme, your monkey

Handmade Ideas For Wedding Invitations

Do you want to make your wedding invitations by hand? Whether you're looking to create handmade wedding invitations to add your own personal style or to make them unique from all the rest, there are several ways you can accomplish your goal. Learn add embellishments to invitations you print at home, use rubber stamps to add flair and make your own flower pressed paper.

Print and Embellish

If you don't want to make your own paper or card stock, you always have the option of buying printable invitations that you can print on your home computer or use calligraphy to handwrite the invitation verses. Then, you can add embellishments such as ribbons, bows, jewel accents, pressed flowers or other decorations you can find at any major craft or stationery store.

Rubber Stamps

You can easily pick up some beautiful rubber stamps and stamp pads at your local craft store and use them to create your own wedding invitations. Add rubber stamp images to dress up a printed invitation or as a way to start an invitation from scratch. Use rubber stamps in addition to ribbons, bows and other accents.

Make Flower Pressed Paper

Whether you grow your own flower garden or you see pretty flowers that you pick along the way, it's easy to press these flowers and then use the pressed flowers to create your own wedding invitations. When you find a flower you think is pretty, pick it and remove the flower from the stem. Place the flower between two sheets of waxed paper (that you can buy at any grocery store) under a heavy book, such as a dictionary or other large reference book. The book has to be heavy enough to press the flower down. Leave the flower under the weight of the book for a couple of weeks. When you remove the flower, you can now glue it to any wedding invitation as a decoration or embellishment.

Tags: wedding invitations, your wedding invitations, make your, rubber stamps, your wedding, create your

Halloween Projects With Shoeboxes

Recycle shoeboxes to make creative Halloween crafts.

Each October, families and school children sit down together to make a variety of handmade crafts for Halloween. Haunted houses, monsters, graveyards and ghostly sayings set a dreary, frightful tone for any Halloween party or home decor. Don't discard empty shoeboxes, as these provide a great base for making each of these crafts. Does this Spark an idea?

Haunted Houses

A vertical shoebox resembles a tall house. Ghosts and a few run-down details make it haunted. Cover a lidded shoebox in purple construction paper. Glue on a rectangular door, windows and shutters cut from colored paper. Remember to decorate all sides. Angled shutters make houses appear decrepit. For ghosts, stick a thin wooden dowel into the bottom of a small plastic foam ball and drape a piece of white fabric over the top. Twist a white pipe cleaner around the outside under the head. At various angles (and on top of the house), slip dowels into holes poked into the box. Keeping the dowels hidden, glue the ghosts in place. Ghosts' eyes and mouths, door accessories, window panes, horizontal lines on shutters, house panels and other details are applied with black marker. Cotton batting pulled apart and strewn across the house creates an eerie, cobweb finish.

Monsters

With a little imagination, transform a vertical shoebox into a monster. Cover a lidded shoebox with green felt paper. Craft felt paper comes in many colors and has a soft texture that bends easily. Purchase it in craft stores or in the craft section of department stores. Glue black felt paper at the top for hair with zigzag bangs. Attach two large googly eyes underneath a large forehead. Angled, angry eyebrows are formed with black pipe cleaners. Add a large, green pom-pom nose and a mean, wiggly mouth and stitching on the forehead cut from black felt paper. Empty thread spools covered in gray felt paper and glued on each side of the head complete Frankenstein. Create your own monsters using yarn, construction paper, craft foam, plastic foam balls, paint and other materials.

Graveyards

A lidless shoebox can be turned into a creepy cemetery. Cover the inside and outside of the box with gray construction paper. Create a fence around the entire box along the outside and inside walls with a series of horizontal and vertical black pipe cleaners. Bend pipe cleaners into ornate designs for added decoration. Fill the shoebox slightly more than halfway with potting soil. Form trees by sticking twigs into the soil. Cut headstone shapes out of thick cardboard and cover both sides with granite or other textured spray paint. Once dry, add "R.I.P," dates or other wording with black marker and stand each headstone in the soil in rows. Pulled cotton batting spread across the graveyard and trees forms cobwebs, and black construction paper bat shapes glued onto the trees complete the graveyard scene.

Shining Cutouts

Some Halloween crafts stand out in the dark. Cover the outside of a lid and shoebox separately with black contact paper, so the lid is removable. Horizontally across the lid cut out a Halloween message, like "Boo," in large, thick letters. Leave unconnected lines within letters to prevent the insides of O's, B's and other letters from being cut away. Paint the inside bottom and sides of the shoebox with glow-in-the-dark paint and replace the lid. Set the shoebox on its side, and watch your message appear after dark. Alternatively, cut away shapes of Halloween objects from the lid, such as bats, spiders or ghosts.

Tags: felt paper, construction paper, with black, pipe cleaners, black felt

Halloween Party Games For Seniors

Senior citizens are not to be underestimated when it comes to party and/or theme related events. They may be frail, they may be hard of hearing, and they may move slowly, but they still know have fun. Halloween is an especially amusing time for senior citizens, rife with ideas for games related to the holiday.

Spooky Backgammon

This can be interpreted in several ways:

1) Decorate the points of the backgammon board with stickers of witches, ghouls, goblins, etc.

2) Change the stakes of the game so that the loser has to get through the rest of Halloween night without saying the words "death," "cancer," or "arthritis."

3) Dim the lights and making everyone take off his or her glasses while the game is in session.

Bobbing for Dentures

A more sinister version of bobbing for apples. The most sanitary way is to buy completely new sets of dentures for the barrel rather than throwing everyone's in there.

Surgical Story Hour

Everyone sits around a cauldron and rehashes the goriest details of a surgery that was performed on him. The clear winner will have the most disgusting story. If the person has never had surgery, the next best thing would be a particularly unpleasant visit to the doctor's office. If that doesn't work, comparing liver spots would be satisfactory.

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Halloween Costume Ideas From Disney'S "Hocus Pocus"

A costume based on "Hocus Pocus" is easy to make with a few accessories.

"Hocus Pocus" is a classic Disney Halloween movie about a teenage boy and his little sister as they fight a trio of witches on Halloween night. You can easily put together a costume inspired by this movie by focusing on one of the film's characters, be it teenage hero Max, one of the Sanderson sister witches, Max's young sister Dani or Thackery Binks, a talking cat who helps Max and Dani on their quest.

Max

Max is the main character of the movie. He is 16 years old and dresses as a typical, 1990s teen. His outfit throughout the film consists of a pair of light blue jeans and a purple windbreaker jacket. He also wears white tennis shoes and a backward-worn baseball cap for parts of the film. His hair is brown, so if you have blond or red hair, consider spraying a temporary hair color onto your hair for the night.

Sanderson Sisters

The villains of the film, the Sanderson Sisters are a trio of colonial witches. The sisters are Winnie, Sarah and Mary, and they each wear long dresses in a colonial style with matching capes. Each sister wears one main color; Winnie wears green, Sarah purple and Mary red. Winnie and Sarah each carry a broom, while Mary carries a vacuum as she is unable to find a broom in the film. For added effect, you can pair your dress with a wig matching the hair color of each sister: Winnie has red hair, Sarah has blond hair and Mary has brunette hair. Sarah wears her blond hair long and down, while Winnie and Mary wear their hair up in stylized twists.

Dani

Dani is the little sister of Max, and she is dressed up as a cute witch for the whole of the film. Her witch's costume is easy to replicate with a few clothing items. She wears a long-sleeved orange T-shirt under a black vest. She pairs this with a black skirt and tights, and wears a witch's hat on her head. She also carries a pumpkin trick-or-treat bucket.

Thackery Binks

Thackery Binks is a character who was trapped in the body of a black cat by the Sanderson sisters centuries before the main plot of "Hocus Pocus" takes place. To dress as Binks for a Halloween costume, dress in black clothes and wear a headband holding cat ears on your head. Attach a long, black tail to the seat of your pants, and paint a cat nose and whiskers onto your face with face paint or eyeliner pencil.

Tags: Hocus Pocus, blond hair, Thackery Binks, hair color, hair Sarah, little sister