Hawaiian Theme 12th Birthday Party Decoration Ideas

by Lisa Parris

Overview

The Hawaiian theme birthday party is enjoyable no matter what time of year it is held. The combination of grass skirts, hula dancers, limbo contests and beach music is almost unbeatable. To bring that island magic into your living room or backyard, you'll need to pay attention to details. The Hawaiian theme should be factored into everything from the food to the music, and, of course, the decorations. Adding a few theme-based ornaments to your décor can help enhance the mood of the party, establishing the scene and tone of the entire event.
Outside

Make sure everyone knows they have arrived at the right place by lining the sidewalk with pink flamingos or fake palm trees. Place a cardboard cutout hula girl by the front door with a basket of leis at her feet and lean a surfboard near the entrance. Enhance the appearance of the front porch with fake parrots, paper lanterns and tiki torches with citronella candles. Lead your guests to the heart of the party by walking with them through an archway made of brightly colored balloons or hibiscus flowers.

Inside

Cover the walls with butcher paper and use poster paint to create an island scene, surrounding your guests with blue skies and sandy shores. Position a few fake palm trees in corners and drape fishing nets over large items of furniture. Add a few fake starfish and sea horses to the net, stacking shells and gemstones around the base. Pineapples, real or paper, can be used as centerpieces for smaller tables along with a handful of hibiscus petals. Strings of twinkle lights and small clear bowls with floating candles can help create a festive lighting scheme, while strategically positioned coconut-scented candles generate an additional layer of embellishment.
Buffet Table

Cover the main table with a large piece of artificial grass and toss a few handfuls of fish-shaped confetti across the surface. Use raffia to create a large hula skirt to cover the table's legs, connecting the skirting to the grass with a few well-placed safety pins. Place table-sized tiki torches on either end of the buffet, while giving the birthday cake the center place on the table. The luau is fun, but the birthday is still the main event. Tie bunches of colorful balloons to the table corners, ensuring that the strings not interfere with the guests' ability to access the food. Place snacks, such as goldfish crackers and popcorn, in sand buckets or upside-down beachcombers' hats made of woven straw. Serve the punch in coconut-shaped cups with little paper umbrellas to complete the overall effect.

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