Summer Luau
by Celebration Sensation

Summer is here and it is a GREAT time for entertaining friends and family. How about hosting a LUAU? Just think of all the fun your guests will have! Here are a few tips to get your Luau sizzling!

How to Host a GREAT LUAU!

First when sending out the invitations, make a note that
there will be a Luau dress code:
Flowered shirts, grass skirts, sarongs, flowered or brightly
colored shorts/skirts, sandals ect..

Decorations:
On the way to your door have miniature tiki lamps stuck
in the ground with shells scattered all around them.

When the guests first come in the door have a basket of
Leis by the door and give each guest a Leis to wear or a
tropical flower in there hair. (Fresh
flowers such as Hibiscus would be great.)

Take grass skirts and use them for table skirts. One favorite
to use as a center piece for each table is little fish bowls or
any cute glass container with a gold fish in it. Or use floating
candles or flowers. Have fish shaped dishes, bowls, candles and
sea shells sitting all around.

Fish netting and tiki lamps or laterns would also be good.
Make sure to have luau music playing to set the mood -
any Reggae music would be a great hit!

Have lawn chairs set up or tables with umbrellas. Wicker
furniture would be great. Tie a couple of hammocks to
some tree's or poles. Check your local rental places and see
what they have for waterfalls.

Activities/Games
Hula hoop contests and hula dancing, water balloon toss,
crab relays or a limbo contest would all be hits. Have a tropical fish

pinata filled with tropical candies. Have a best dressed contest or a treasure

hunt for the kids!

Favors/Prizes
Sunglasses, sample suntan lotions with your personal label on it
saying "Thanks for coming to the Island."

With all that dancing, your guests will probably work up an appetite. Here are some great Hawaiian recipes to calm the Islanders!

Hawaiian Shrimp
Serving Size : 16

Ingredients:

2 lbs fresh shrimp -- peeled & deveined

40 ounces pineapple chunks in juice -- canned

1/2 lb bacon slices -- cut in 2" pieces

2 red peppers -- cut in 1" pieces

1/2 lb mushroom caps

1 pint cherry tomatoes

8 ounces sweet and sour sauce

16 skewers

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Combine vegetable with shrimp on skewers and place in shallow pan. Mix sweet-and-sour sauce with reserved pineapple juice and pour over kabobs. Grill or broil kabobs for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until cooked. Baste often with sauce. Yummy!

Hawaiian Fruit Platter
Serving Size: 10

Ingredients:

3 fresh pineapple slices (unpeeled) -- cut in 8 wedges

2 kiwi fruit -- peeled & sliced

2 medium oranges, unpeeled, sliced -- halved

1 papaya, peeled, seeded, cut in wedges

1 star fruit -- sliced

1/2 pound red grapes, broken into small clusters

1 banana, peeled, sliced

2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/2 cup frozen pineapple juice concentrate -- thawed

1/4 cup coconut

Directions:

1. On large serving platter, arrange pineapple, kiwi fruit, oranges, papaya, star fruit and grapes.

2. Toss banana slices with lime juice. Drain, reserving lime juice. Arrange bananas over fruit on platter.

3. In a small bowl, combine reserved lime juice and pineapple juice concentrate; blend well. Drizzle over fruit. Sprinkle with coconut

Hawaiian Fruit Punch
Approximate Yield: About 1 gallon, with the addition of ice will serve 20 people. This is great with or without the alcohol.

Ingredients:

Orange Juice 4 Cups

Guava Juice 4 Cups

Pineapple Juice 4 Cups

Grenadine, Red ½ Cup

Ginger Ale 1 Cup

Light Rum 3 Cups

Dark Rum ½ Cup

Directions:

Use frozen juice concentrates and mix following manufacturer’s directions.

Chill juices. It’s a good idea to make at least one day in advance, this cuts down on ice dilution.
Just before service, pour juices in a large bowl, add Grenadine, ginger ale and the light rum.
Add an ice ring or ice cubes made with some juice. This also cuts down on dilution effect. Stir to mix.
Float dark rum over punch, do not stir into the punch.
5. Add little umbrella in your drink! Enjoy!

The possibilities are endless…so use your imagination and have fun with your Luau! Your guests will thank you!

For help creating your perfect summer Luau, logon to http://www.celebrationsensation.com/ for all your Luau supplies