Surprise Luau Birthday Party – Club Tropicana!

Once I get an idea in my head, it can be all I think about. Especially when it is crafty, has a theme… That’s it, I have an idea, and I am off. Often writing lists, sketching, find ways to get creative. Do you do this? I always have to start NOW.

Back in April time, we held a ‘Mexican Fiesta’ for The Husband’s birthday – he loved it, but importantly, our BOYS loved it. They loved getting involved in making, creating – the surprises, balloons and of course, the ‘party’! Freddie, in particular has been asking, when can we do it again?! So, we needed an ‘excuse’. 2021, I am still declaring it the ‘Year of the Table’ – a place to celebrate around with your family!

Given the last 18 months we have all had, I think any excuse to celebrate with our loved ones, just has to be taken – right? We don’t get to see my parents as much as we would like – so, we settled on creating a ‘party’ for my Dad’s birthday… it gave us 5 or so weeks to plan, make, buy, prep, craft. And that, we did! Freddie was sometimes straight up and straight away wanting to do it – 6.30am making paper chains!!

I mean obviously, the party was for my Dad – but it was a great activity for the boys to get involved in – for me to have things to research, make and think about! It helped everyone have something to look forward to. Not ONCE did Freddie tell Grandad on the phone – he knew it was a ‘surprise’!

We settled on a Hawaiian Luau theme – and whilst I knew we would buy some things (I set a budget – it would be very easy to get carried away!!) I was determined to try and MAKE a lot of things.

So, take some empty boxes, some old wallpaper, add some rainbow paper, some scissors, time, buy a few things – and a little Cricut magic… you have a Hawaiian Luau party! His face on arrival was a picture… Whilst he knew ‘something’ was happening, as we sent him an invite… he didn’t have any idea how many things we would be making and creating!

MADE

Hawaiian Totem Pole – empty boxes, wallpaper, hand cut out shapes from a rainbow paper pack from Hobbycraft.

ALOHA Wreath – gold hoop from Pom Plus Pom. Gold card from Paperchase. Letters cut using my Cricut Maker*. Faux flowers and leaves in a kit from Amazon**

Tiki bar sign – cardboard base, covered in old wallpaper, letters cut out using coloured card from Hobbycraft using my Cricut Maker* and same faux flowers and leaves from a kit on Amazon**.

Club Tropicana and Tropic Like Its Hot Signs – empty boxes, old wallpaper and letters, flamingos and leaves all cut out using both my Cricut Maker and Joy in same rainbow card from Hobbycraft.

Outdoor signs – Rainbow card from Hobbycraft and lettering handrawn on using a black Sharpie pen. Discarded wooden poles found in the shed!

Pineapple ‘vase’ made, inspired by a post on Pinterest and filled with flowers from the garden.

Paper stars, lanterns and chains – thin rainbow paper from Hobbycraft and cut out using various tutorials on Pinterest.

Mostly all attached/assembled using my trusty glue gun!

FOOD

Huli-Huli Chicken with Sweet Potato Wedges and Salad.

Pineapple cupcakes – Yellow paper cases from Amazon** and green tops – hand cut out in card from Hobbycraft. I made the pineapple sponge, and coconut buttercream frosting recipe from HERE.

BOUGHT

Silly glasses, faux flowers, leaves, grass skirt (added to our kitchen island), balloons and helium balloons from Amazon**.

Garden ornament flamingos from Amazon** and pineapple drinking glasses from John Lewis & Partners – gifts for my Dad to keep!

Table mats made using Tropical Metallic fabrics from Craft Cotton Co – tutorial coming to their blog soon! All sewn using my Brother Sewing UK machine.

Multicoloured cactus from Sainsbury’s.

*Cricut machines and fabrics #GIFTED but no obligation to post.

**As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.