I am searching for ideas on what to serve, how to decorate, and how to entertain for a Hawaiian luau. Our church youth do a Valentine banquet each year and this year's theme is a luau. The meal must be inexpensive but elegant and the decorations homemade.
In college my friends and I hosted a luau in one of our dorm rooms. We found some large pieces of paper (newsprint maybe?) and drew a beach scene. We used posterboard to make headless stand-up beach people that guests could stand behind for pictures. Of course we all dressed up, too--grass skirts, coconut bras, even flippers and snorkels. I don't think we did a costume contest, but that's something you could do. We kept drinks and fruit cold in a wading pool full of ice. (The ice later turned to water, so clean-up in the dorm room was tricky.) We had Beach Boys movies playing to create a beachy atmosphere. We played twister and had a limbo contest in the hall. It was really a lot of fun!
Dear Sue, here's a good, easy recipe for a dessert you might want to serve at your Luau: AMBROSIA CAKE: Combine 1 1/2 cups graham cracker or ginger snap cookie crumbs with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine and press into bottom of 13x9x2" pan and set aside. Dissolve 2 packages (3 oz. each) pineapple or pineapple-orange gelatin in 2 cups boiling water and cool for about 35 minutes. Stir into gelatin a 20 oz. can (UNdrained) of crushed pineapple IN SYRUP (you want the extra sweetness) and 1 cup diced oranges.
Look on orientaltrading.com for ideas. We thru a luau party for Girl Scouts. We cut construction paper flowers for leis and strung them together with string and cut straws in between. Took a cardboard box and drew and painted fish on it and cut circles out for bean bags to be thrown threw. Made a scene out of a huge piece of cardboard (fridge box) and painted it out and cut heads on it.
I threw a Hawaiian-themed anniversary party for my in-laws a few years ago. I borrowed some posters featuring palm trees, etc from a local travel agent, and had Hawaiian music playing inthe background (check your public library -- Andy Wiliams and Elvis both had Hawaiian albums, in addition to Don Ho). I served Waikiki Chicken (1 cup each of barbecue sauce and crushed pineapple, 1/2 cup brown sugar -- mix well, pour over chicken and bake -- or do it in the crockpot) and rice. Pineapple rings add a nice touch, or get some of that tropical fruit cocktail with mangoes, etc.
Have fun -- ALOHA!!!
Hawaiian/Maui Style Pizza, macadamia cookies, fruit kabobs and punch.
Decorations: volcanos, huts, palm trees, surf boards, leis.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Does anyone have any ideas for a church's 'Mother and Child' banquet table favors? Mothers can bring sons, too, so the favors need to fit both sexes and all ages. We'd like something that is eye-catching and economical that our committee can make. I'd love to get some ideas from you! Thank you.
How about those neat suckers, the long suckers and even round suckers. Put in some molding clay in the center of the table, leave a number under someone's plate to win it.
Thanks for the wonderful idea for the table centerpieces! That will be considered when our committee meets. It sure would be less costly than flowers, probably even silk ones!
Our church is having a banquet entitled "An Affair to Remember". Does anyone have any suggestions on decorating with a religious connotation?
By Sarah from Lakeland, FL
Does anyone have any frugal Thanksgiving church banquet ideas, please?
EGGZ from Santa Barbara, CA
For your centerpiece or to use as a serving bowl. You could take different size pumpkins cut and hollow them out real well. And on the outside of them slightly carve into the pumpkins outside into a picture on them of turkey or leaves.Do this by placing a piece a paper on the pumpkin with a cartoon type sketch on it of the object. Use push pin to poke the outline of the picture, then remove paper and just slightly carve out the outline of the diagram. This makes a very pretty picture and you can add silk leaves or fall flowers around its bottom base.
Could a collection be taken up for a turkey, ham, or whatever and the rest be potluck? Most people have a special dish that they like to share with others at the holidays.
We have one every year. The church provides the turkeys, and everyone is asked to bring their fav side dish. We set the tables with tablecloths and use the pumpkins which are left from Halloween activities (have not been carved) in the center.
I need decoration ideas that reflect God's promises and using rainbows?
My church is having a chivalry dinner. The theme is "mystery man" and the colors are black and white. I am looking for party favors, preferably do it yourself. Anyone have any ideas?
By Sandy
I need a low cost centerpiece for 20 tables for a Ladies Day Out gathering at our church. The theme is "gentleness". I thought of kites (for the speaker's stage) and those toys that you blow to make turn (the gentle breeze). Can you give me some ideas how to put these or others ideas into a simple table decoration?
By Kathy from Ft Wayne, IN
I am decorating a church Christmas banquet for 100 college and career aged people. I need some ideas, doesn't have to be traditional, I need something funky and within a small budget
Decorate everything with RED. Bring ornamental things from home...Teddy Bears, dolls, (you're tying red bows on them all). Red sweaters...red anything...hang them around walls etc. Vases with cheap red bows on the tables...fill them with pine cones, nuts or anything green or festive from the ground or off trees. Good luck with it! Patsy
Michaels website has some great new ornaments!
www.michaels.com
Go to crafts Good Luck!! Here is a link for the one I was thinking of when I saw your post! Happy Birthday Jesus!
www.michaels.com/
www.michaels.com/
www.michaels.com/
There are tons more at the site!
I need ideas for table favors using this health theme, "God's Fitness Plan". Thanks in advance!
By B.T.
I am looking for ideas for a frugal small decoration for a banquet. The banquet is for a couple who have spent the last 16 years devoted to our senior (60 and up) group at church. We would like to do something nice, but not too expensive. Thank you.
Linda
This is a page about table decorations for church banquets. Deciding on the best decorations for your banquet is an important step in planning.
