How to Set Up a Hawaiian Luau in Your Backyard

The tropics have always been popular as tourist destinations; imagine yourself along with your friends enjoying a luau with coconut drinks in your hand. Now imagine that this luau is in your backyard. Amazing isn't it? It's not that hard, here's how.

• Take a good look at your backyard. Imagine how it would look like if it's in the Hawaiian Islands. You can use Tiki lamps and scented candles to capture the Hawaiian mood. If you have surfboards and wakeboards, you can prop them up against a tree or your wall. If you have access to tropical flowers or if you can rent mini palm trees, you can also add them for an authentic effect.

• Make sure that you and your guests will be wearing Hawaiian attires. Men should be wearing Hawaiian shirts and khaki pants. Women could wear bikinis and grass skirts. There are also Hawaiian dresses that are one piece and free flowing to the knees or ankles.

• If it's doable, you can even set a bonfire in your backyard, just make sure to take the necessary safety precautions.

• Be sure to have Hawaiian music playing in your stereo the whole night long. This will set the mood and give that distinct tropical aura.

• When your guests start arriving, make sure that you have leis (Natural or Plastic) in hand to welcome them. You can find them at your local florist or in party shops for the plastic variety. This alone could set the mood as your guests enter your backyard, and be welcomed to the tropics in the suburbs.

• Be adventurous and try to cook Hawaiian food. There are lots of menus that you can try. If you like, you can even try roasting a pig in your own backyard, but this would need some help from your family members or your friends. The internet can be a great source for easy-to-do luau dishes.

• Serve your guests tropical drinks. If you don't know how, you can also find recipes for these in the Internet. Tropical drink s includes daiquiri, pina colada and margarita. For designated drivers and those who don't want alcoholic, you can serve them fresh fruit juices or canned pineapple juice. You may even have coconut drinks if they are easily accessible in your area.