American Girl/luau hawaii party theme ~ help please

[calv]

So for DD's bday she rec'd Kanani, the newest American Girl. Figured I'd add a last minute twist and complicate my life even more. ;) We won't only make it an AG doll party but it will also be a luau party. All the girls will bring their AG dolls w/them.

what should I do? for the party I have the AG purses book/kit to make w/the girls. http://www.amazon.com/Doll-Purses-Treasure-Do-Yourself/dp/1593697082/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294684758&sr=1-1


We also own 2 hair styling chairs so we'll use those after the girls watch the 1/2 hour DVD on how to style your AG doll's hair.
http://www.amazon.com/Doll-Hair-Styling-American-Library/dp/1593692080/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294684794&sr=1-1


I guess I need more ideas/theme fun. whether it be music, food, whatever. Need to get to the party store and get the Leis to pass out. we'll be playing pass the coconut, aka, like hot potato and of course pinanta time. :D

[TwinFoxes]

DDs' 1st birthday was a beach theme. There's a lot more luau stuff than generic beach. I'm assuming your DD is older than the 3 year old choking hazard cut off? I found cheap pooka shell necklaces at the party store that I gave to the older cousins. Leis were cheap (some styles at the store were itchy, so try them on first). There were lots of plates/napkins etc with surfboards. There were even tiki torches. I don't think you'll have problems finding decorations. :)

[pinay]

A friend is a cake decorator on the side and she just posted this photo of a cake she did for a birthday party:
Hula Cake (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennywenny/5340817925/#/)

[calv]

thanks for the replies. any more tips/ideas/suggestions? :D

TIA!

[katydid1971]

I would get each girl a grass skirts and lei and give it to them when they came in. Could you make little grass skirts for the dolls (I'm think rafia and a rubber band)? Tropical style drinks with umbrellas would be fun. Beach Boys music. Limbo contest.
http://www.orientaltrading.com/party-themes-and-events/luau-a1-388622+1297-1-1.fltr

[elephantmeg]

I was thinking limbo would be fun too-maybe a mini limbo for the dolls with doll prizes? Maybe doll sunglasses from michaels?

[new_mommy25]

Download Hawaiian music into iTunes. Typical Hawaiian food at a luau would be Kalua pig (like pulled pork but with liquid smoke and sea salt, you could also do chicken-make in oven or crock pot or pressure cooker), raw fish, lomi salmon, and poi. I don't know if the girls would like that any of that though, lol. If you do do the pig, I would serve it with calrose rice instead of poi. Also the traditional dessert is haupia which is a coconut pudding and very simple to make. For fun you could get those little cocktail umbrellas to put in the cups and make a bowl of punch.

http://www.heco.com/portal/site/heco/menuitem.33c4127d7938fd26dce8d210c510b1ca/?vgnextoid=2094b28384aec010VgnVCM1000007d00a8c0RCR D

If you want to do another craft you could have the girls make flower leis. All you have to do is cut out flowers using construction paper, and cut up straws. Have them do one flower, one straw, repeat to desired length. http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110077/straw.htm

Also, make shave ice. If you have the AG shave ice stand that would be cute to set up beside your stand. You can buy a snow cone machine at Target/Walmart for around $20, and while it's not nearly as good as shave ice from Hawaii, it will get the job done.
http://www.target.com/Hamilton-Beach-Icy-Treats-Maker/dp/B000JCGUDK/ref=sc_pd_gwvub_3_title
http://www.target.com/Hamilton-Beach-Snowman-Ice-Shaver/dp/B00008IH9N/ref=sc_pd_gwb_2_title

[marylovesbennyhill]

Quick ?-Will all of the guests have AG dolls to bring?:)

[calv]

great ideas thank you. yes, everyone will have an AG doll :D

[shishamo]

How about a quick hula lesson? You can make hula skirts as a craft activity, as well as leis (I would use fake flowers, not fresh). I grew up in hawaii, and I remember hula lessons and making leis!