Tiki Party- Fun Theme For a Party

Let everyone know it's a Tiki Party with a Themed Invitation.

Be sure to tell your guests to dress in their favorite Tiki clothes! Luau Shirts, Sarongs, Shorts, and Sun dresses are perfect. Fun hats are a great idea. Flip flops and sandals for sure!

Do let everyone know if the party will be held outside (so they can prepare for either sun or evening cool). 

Maybe even have a basket of Flower Leis waiting for your guests as they come in!

When decorating for a Tiki Party.. think tropical... think kitchy... think color. Most party stores will have a Luau section, so you can pick up cardboard cut outs of pineapples.

But maybe think outside the box a bit....

Fish nets .... tacked up to the wall, filled with dried starfish or colorful fish (plastic or paper).

Tropical flowers... orchids,hibiscus, ginger flowers, bright colorful tropicals. Use them as a centerpiece or place potted plants around the room to give a green and tropical feel. I also love to scatter them across the table.

Palms... Palm fronds, palm leaves, potted palm trees. Raffia made of palm leaves to wrap around tables or the bar.

Tiki Torches... Tiki Torches will light up the night, and set a perfect tone for your party.

Tiki Statues... Have a few Tiki gods scattered about the place. Any size will do. 

Tiki Culture in the 1940's and 1950's

Tiki Torches are a must for an outdoor Tiki Party! if you are indoors use candles (really, there is no point in having an unfortunate incident where the fire department has to be called... keep the torches OUTSIDE). (And while we are on the subject... jousting with Tiki Torches is dangerous... trust me on this).

Tiki Torches are Fabulous! They light up your party, and give great ambiance.

Set a few around the edge of the party space... maybe have a few smaller tiki torches on the tables.

A night time Tiki Party NEEDS light... Torches, a Fire Pit, a light string and candles in tiki holders or netted globes are perfect. Dim the house lights and set the mood for Tiki!

Whether you serve traditional Tiki rum drinks, or you choose to serve Tiki Mocktails, you want to have a bar. You can go all out, and build an authentic Tiki Bar... or just keep it simple and decorate a designated table. Because I don't have a Tiki Bar (yet) I usually wrap a table with Raffia and tack on a few flowers.

If the bar is outside, try to get it under cover. Tiki Bars come with tops... but an umbrella or canopy should do the trick. Hang a fun light string from the cover....and maybe a sign.

Make it FUN!

Whichever way you choose, don't forget.....
Ice
Juices
Cups
a Blender
Rum
Little Umbrellas!
cut up fruit for garnish
Sodas and beer (for those people who don't want to go along with the theme)
and towels (spills are inevitable)

You can go a few different ways with drinks at your Tiki Party.

Set up a full bar with loads of rum and juices, then get someone to play bartender... someone that can make every tropical drink every invented.

Set up a minimal bar, and just have a short list of drinks available. It's still good to have someone act as bartender.

Make up a few pitchers of Mai Tais or Zombies..... People will enjoy not having to choose, and they can serve themselves.

Whatever you choose, make sure to stock up on ice and garnishes (at the very least you need little umbrellas).

Mai Tai- The ultimate Tiki Drink...light and Dark Rum, lime juice, orange curacao and orangeat syrup.

Zombie- Enough of these, and you will become a zombie....Rum, lemon and lime juices, passionfruit juice, bitters and 151 rum.

Scorpion This one is often served in a flaming bowl with straws to share with everyone at the table.... Made with rums, brandy, triple sec and the juice of lime and orange.

Navy Grog Inspired by British Navel Sea Rations...Three kinds of rum, grapefruit and lime juice, honey and club soda.

Short answer... Yes, it is very possible to have a Tiki Party without Rum.

Tiki is a great party theme for all ages. But you are hosting a Tiki Party for teens, tweens, younger kids, or a group that does not want alcohol you can easily adjust the drink menu.

Serve Mocktails What is a Mocktail? Any cocktail recipe where the rum (and other alcohol) has been removed.
Removing the alcohol, does not mean removing the fun. Serve the drinks in fun Tiki Mugs or Glasses... topped with fruit and umbrellas.

Mock Mai Tais 1/2 cup Pineapple Juice, 1/4 cup Limeaid, 1/4 cup Orange Juice (splash of grenadine if you want color).

Mock Pina Coloada 6oz. Pineapple Juice,1 oz. Coconut Cream and Ice. Blend

Beach Blanket Bingo up 1/4 cGrapefruit Juice, 1/4 cup Cranberry Juice, 1/2 cup club soda with twist of lime.

Green Lemonade 1/2 cup Lemonade, 1/4 cup Limeaide, 1/2 peeled Kiwi (cut up), splash simple syrup. Muddle the Kiwi and simple syrup, pour lemon and lime aid over it, Garnish with kiwi.

Mock Planters Punch (serve this in a big punch bowl, or in individual glasses) 60 oz Orange Juice, 40 oz. Pineapple Juice, 5 oz. Lemon Juice, 3 oz. Grenadine... pour into a large bowl with ice, stir, add tropical fruits.

Tropical Fruit smoothies also make great mocktail choices...think Bananas and Mangos

Tiki Bars were known for having Tiki Cups shaped like Tiki gods. They were take home favors to remember your evening.

For your party, you can go as elaborate or simple as you want. If you have Tiki Cups, now is your chance to use them! Wow your guests with a Scorpion, served in a bowl with straws (to share).

Maybe you just want to use plastic cups... safer by the pool, and less washing up.

Or just use whatever cups or glasses you have in your kitchen.

After all, it's not the glass, it's what's IN the glass that matters.

Traditional Tiki Food is a mishmash of Cantonese Finger Foods (like Egg Rolls), fried tidbits (like Crab Rangoon) and teriyaki meat on a stick.

In a Tiki Restaurant, you can order a PuPu Platter... which is an assortment of Tiki finger foods. Or you can get a meal.. complete with all courses of Tiki. You can decide what sort of things you want to serve.

When you are serving food at a Tiki Party, think tropical and exotic. Cut up lots of tropical fruits, like pineapple and mangos... and feel free to throw in some melon, strawberry, or banana. (Heck, cut up some peaches if that's what you have). Make a Fruit Bouquet as an edible Centerpiece!!

You can make the egg rolls and crab rangoon yourself..... or..... you can order a selection of appetizers from a Chinese take out place.....

Or.... do what I do... Hit your local supermarket or Trader Joes or Costco, check the appetizer section of the frozen foods. You will be AMAZED at what you find. Lots of Heat and Eat treats that will make feeding your guests a snap. Won ton things... Egg Roll things.... Square tidbits.

Remember, the rules for Tiki are fairly loose... so go ahead and serve what you like... but maybe give it a tropical spin. Load your serving trays with fruit, flowers or sauces.

Grill pork tenderloins... slice and serve with grilled pineapple.
Teriyaki Burgers.... grill up your favorite burgers, serve with teriyaki sauce and a slice of pineapple.
Chicken Wings... with a sweet and sour or teriyaki sauce.
Riblets... little ribs are great!