The point of a luau is fun, not expense, so put your money into the food and drinks, and go recession-era on the decorations. These suggestions can help you make much of your own luau decor, but also see the Resources section for cheap luau decorations sold online.
Tables
A staple of a luau is the raffia-skirted table with silk flowers. They cost anywhere from $10 to $20 for a large table, so if you want to cut that cost, save brown paper grocery bags for a few weeks. Cut the bags into narrow strips, leaving an attached edge on top, and tape them end to end for a homemade luau table skirt. Attach cheap flower leis on the top to cover the edge.
For tableware, mix in clear or white plastic glasses, plates, napkins and silverware with just one package of tropical colors to save money. Instead of vinyl printed tablecloths ($5 to $15 each) draw colorful flowers with crayon on sheets of wax paper. Create centerpieces from super-cheap citronella candles, seashells and plastic fish for table decorations that look a lot more expensive than they are.
Room
Find wall clings that create a tropical scene for your guests, which may be a good value if you are not artistically inclined. If you are, tape craft paper to the walls with drawings or cutouts of tropical decor. Another idea: Twist two colors of streamers together, in yellow and blue or orange and red for a luau feel, and run them around the room, arching them to the ceiling with fishing line or bamboo poles.
Blow up lots of balloons and let them float around or tape them together to form balloon palm trees, tiki heads or pineapples. Add a few paper lanterns and foil hanging decorations and you're set. For nighttime luaus, make homemade luminaria from small paper bags, decorated with cutouts, and set tea lights inside them to go along pathways or patios.
Accents
Flower lights are a colorful decoration for a luau, but they can get pricey. If you already have white or colored Christmas tree lights, you're set. Remove the center of a fake flower and slide the light through the hole in the middle of the petals. (Some flowers may require cutting to make the hole bigger.)
Other accents that are must-have are cocktail umbrellas, coconut shells and flower leis. But for even more color and character in the decor, make tons of tissue flowers with little expense. You can use colored tissue paper or dye white tissue with food coloring. Twist the tissue into a flower shape and secure it with twist ties or pipe cleaners. Turn them into a garland or twist them onto available surfaces.
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