Class of 2003
It is graduation season and graduation parties abound! school colors satin and eyelash yarn leis, fresh flower leis, money leis fashioned of crisp green bills or of coins wrapped in school color cellophane are the hot commodity. So what do you get for an aspiring teen or college graduate about to enter the "real world"?
1. Leis
2. Money
3. Inspirational Books - like Dr. Suess' Oh the places you'll go
4. Traveling Gear - for going away to school or the peace corps.
5. New Clothes for work or school.
6. Sponsor a Trip/Vacation to a getaway or perhaps their first trip back home for college semester's break
7. Stuff for their new apartment or dorm room
8. A Day Planner or Address Book
9. A consultation or gift certificate for a professional resume writing service
10. Stationery & an Executive Writing Pen with Postage Stamps

The Spa Party
Aromatherapy here we come...create an atmosphere of serenity, relaxation, and pampering...even guys can get into this! Relaxing new age music or a classical guitar choice can set the mood, comfortable billowy pillowstuffed seating, soothing tea or cooling martinis, and a variety of spa treatments to give one another...who could ask for more? Here's the quicklist of key elements:

1. seating - floor seating is okay - so long as it is comfortable - or footstools could work too.
2. sound - music like Cusco, or Enigma are perfect - or for a hawaiian flair an instrumental slack key guitar record can set the right mood. Even the gals like Norah Jones or Michelle Branch can make good background noise.. or for the complete serenity - the sound of running water from a fountain or the breeze through a wind chine can set the quintessential spa.
3. treats - for your feets, your face, your nails and such - have a good variety of activities for treating each other to mani/pedi treatments, massages and relaxation...
4. smells - from the food like armenian sandwiches, fresh veggi platter, lavoche with hummus or cream cheese spreads and also the products and elixirs...

Party Interactive
The key to a great party are activities or experiences that will make GREAT MEMORIES! I've learned that the ordinary - gets blurred and lost into "who's party was that anyway???" But when you've created something really special - people will remember it and talk about it year's later... So here's my quicklist of how to make a memorable event:

1. Surprise - the element of surprise for the host, the guests, the honoree...if all three audiences can be surprised during the party - it will be memorable!
2. Masquerade - when people need to put on a costume, or a different persona to attend your party - it can make for great pictures and great memories. Don't save the costumes for just halloween parties either - this card can be played any time of year for a variety of events: Easter - easter bonnets or spring time characters; Adults - pimp-n-ho parties; Western BBQ - get out the cowboy boots and hats...
3. Let's Play! - games are always a good thing for parties...mix it up- start with an icebreaker that allows your guests to get to know each other better - try things like twister, cranium, pictionary - or take it to another level and use an av projector with your PS2 or XBox games shown on a wall and let the kids or even the kids at heart go to town!
4. Make the ordinary extraordinary! instead of just having beverages - have a Slush machine for frozen daquiris, slush floats, or margaritas... instead of just having pizza delivered- talk to your local "cart vendor" and have them serve up the pizza's on-site... instead of one table for serving the food - setup food stations which get your guests to mingle more...instead of just having ice cream - make it the old fashioned way crank-style, or as a "kick-the-can" - if that sounds too hard - then talk to your local ice-cream man and ask that they come by your party at an appointed time and let everyone order their special treat on the house!
5. Atmosphere - create a wonderland of activities to heighten the senses of touch, sights, smells, and sounds. create a sensory overload for your guests with music, special lighting and decorations, things for them to do like dancing in a "glow" bubble tent or glazing raku pottery, do some of the cooking during the party to keep the fresh aromas emanating throughout the event.

Popcorn & a Movie gift bag favors
I received a clever idea for a party favor today - In a retro popcorn bag - a package of microwave popcorn, and movie tix + dessert gift certificates at Cold Stone...this sparked so many ideas for those Oscar or Emmy parties next year...or even the MTV movie awards coming soon to a tv near you. (watch for Justin and Seann hosting on June 5th.

Here's the hotlist of movie party ideas:
1. a la Mike Feeney - the Dive In Movie Night - invite friends over to watch prequels prior to the opening of sequel on a 40ft. wall projection style from your pool. add pupus, drinks and you've got a party!
2. rollout the oscar red carpet - tell guests to dress to the hilt. send formal invites, and make mini oscars for "winners". have a camera on hand and be paparazzi to your guests as they arrive...on the red carpet - strike a pose!
3. The Movie Marathon - this is always a favorite - perhaps it's a Godfather marathon, or a genre marathon, or a review of the anthology of work from greats like Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey or Nick Cage.. who knows...just pick a theme and stick to it for a good 12 hours of entertainment - just a six pack of DVDs will do.
4. The HOME Movie: yep, those Family videos - this could be torturous for some - but it could be a lot of fun strolling down memory lane - bust out that beta machine...or Hi-8....or if you're really lucky - you'll actually have some old reels of film!
5. The Adult Movies - In the style of the made for tv movie"Porn-n-Chicken" - invite your mature audience over to have some KFC and delight in b-rated adult cinema.

the office party: BRUNCH
we recently had a successful brunch in the office - complete with made to order omelet station. Here are the key elements:
- variety of condiments - green onion, char siu meat, fresh mushrooms, tri-color bell peppers, shredded cheeses,

aloha farewell baby shower
today's potluck was the combined theme party. Baby Shower + Farewell Lunch + Potluck Malihini Luau. Key items: Hawaiian Wedding Cake, Kalua Pig & Cabbage, pseudo NO Salmon lomi tomato and onions with mandarin oranges and diced pimentos - strange but good, fresh fruit platter including pineapple. Adorning the table baby shower vinyl table cloth and maitai paper umbrellas + crepe paper hula girls. mom to be got an appropriate open-ended lei as Hawaiian superstition has it as bad luck to give a closed lei. mom to be won't be dropping her baby bundle till she's in florida - at least she'll be able to tell the little fella he was Made In Hawaii. - might make a good tatoo in his rebellious years...

potluck/
tomorrow there's a potluck shower at work - so my contribution is White Rice. that's like one of the easiest things next to paper plates, napkins or soda...that's a hot commodity that I'm actually happy I was able to get on the sign up sheet. that's usually the first thing to get signed up for - so I feel real lucky.

have your cake and eat it too
All kinds of tips on cake that you should be aware of - how to bake it, how to ice it, how to slice it, how to order the right size, and on and on. But tonite - the subject will be how to eat it and some of my favorites in no particular order:
1. guava chiffon from Kapiolani Bakery
2. peach bavarian cake from napoleon's
3. chocolate dobash
4. Chantilly from Liliha Bakery
5. Coconut Haupia Cake
6. Carrot Cake from Ted's Bakery
7. Costco white sheet cake with Cream Cheese Icing & fruit or pudding filling in the middle
8. Pineapple Upside down Cake - my recipe
9. New York Style Cheesecake with Cherry topping
10. Bachelor Cake

All of these are great for a potluck party or dinner party gathering, but only a few of them would work for a special event - unless they are built up or baked in an unusual shape. For example, I've had the Carrot Cake from Ted's bakery as a sheet cake for a birthday, and also as a multi-tiered wedding cake.

For pairing with ice cream - my choices are the bachelor cake - kind of a dump cake recipe and also the chocolate dobash with a honking huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Some are cold cakes served chilled - like the coconut haupia, the peach bavarian, the cheesecake, the guava chiffon, the dobash and the chantilly. Quite refreshing on a warm summer day. Best warm are the bachelor cake and the pineapple upside down.

Another new favorite is a cold stone cake. I've tried a few of the flavors - Mudd pie, rocky road, and a custom cake with brownie crust, cherry pie filling, more brownie chunks and chocolate chips mixed into a vanilla. Not quite Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia but a pretty good substitute.

celebrations amidst conflict and no rolling eggs
the show must go on - the oscars did - peace signs and golden dove jewelry adorned the black dress arsenal of hollywood elite. so too the celebrations continue here in balmy hawaii - last weekend a kiddie party to attend, this weekend a 1st birthday luau, in another two weeks another for twins turning one, and then of course Easter to boil eggs and celebrate resurrection...life goes on. BUT THE EGGS PROBABLY WON'T ROLL....the annual eggroll at the Capitol lawn traditionally hosted by the first lady will probably take a sabbatical for more peaceful times. Started by Dolly Madison the country's 4th first lady, the egg roll allowed children to roll eggs down the hilly lawn...in 1880 the venue changed to the White House due to official complaints that the event was ruining the Capitol lawn. the event has been held there ever since and is cancelled only during times of war.

the best thing to happen to parties
= the sterno - this little invention available in gel and liquid forms can keep that food hot for hours. Under an elegant chafing dish or the most rudimentary steam tray wire rack this is the godsend that says aloha to that cooling oil slick over the top of your potluck or buffet foods. reasonably priced at about $5 for a set of 4 full size gel canisters (Long'sDrugs) or for about $12 at Costco for the liquid fuel sterno with wick this is a must have for your next event large or small.

the baby luau
A longtime tradition in the islands is the 1st Birthday Baby Luau. Story has it that the tradition began because babies who made it through their first year were truly something special since the mortality rate in Hawaii was out of hand.

Nowadays, it's an excuse to throw a really big celebration for hundreds of guests, family and friends. Practically as soon as the baby is born folks in Hawaii are booking the party location - yep a year in advance. Think about it -- all the other babies in the hospital nurseries will be competing for the very same reception hall or luau site same time next year and since these are big parties - they are often booked on the weekends to accomodate the largest number of guests.

So what does this entail? in the traditional sense - long luau tables covered with white or brown kraft paper, sliced pineapples and plates of cakes, haupia and kulolo dot the tables interspersed every few chairs for easy sharing. Either days ahead the 'ohana (family) pitch in together to imu a pig to make kalua pig (pua'a kalua), and prepare the other traditional goodies (poke, long rice, squid luau, poi, lomilomi salmon, etc.). Many families choose to cater the meal as well.

Young girls in the family are recruited to work the serving line. And cousins or close friends assist at the gift/guest sign in table. Another nice touch that is often neglected these days is an old tradition my parents have recollected about parties of days gone by - serving of the punch. Today, a self-serve cooler is often the mode for the juice distribution. But long ago or at least in the 50's - 60's - there were juice servers recruited - to walk the luau and refill people's glasses with pitchers of juice. Some folks choose to offer a full-service bar as well - or the selection is often paired down to one regular beer, one lite beer, and white and red wine.

Usually manned by somebody's favorite uncle to play bartender for the nite, the bar is often also equipped with many pupus. These may include sushi, sashimi, a variety of poke, raw crab, opihi, chex mix, chips and seven-layer taco dip and nuts.

Entertainment is also key - to start the celebration some folks opt to have Hawaiian music in the background - this may be boxed music playing from a sound system or this may mean hiring the latest Na Hoku Hanohano award winner to croon for your guests live. Many musicians "without a name" or an album are also available for a one-two hour set. Some families keep the festivities going with a full 4-6 hours of live music, hula dancing and other entertainers especially for the keiki. You guessed it - bring in the clowns, balloon artists, face painters and magicians. Another alternative for keeping the keiki pleased is to rent a jumper or inflatable.

Best bet for acquiring these contacts is to ask friends who've thrown a party - or approach these vendors when you attend a party. Be sure to specify the time you want them to play from:to and be clear about whether the musicians will provide their own equipment (even microphones) or you may end up with an unplugged gig for the price you were quoted.

The parents' or the hosts (sometimes the grandparents) will often make a public thank you to all those who donated their time and efforts to make the party possible. Centerpieces in the theme of the party are often given away in one of three ways or any combination: reserved for those who helped, given to whoever is sitting close to one, or through some contest of skill or luck they may be "won."

It is not uncommon to have baby, older siblings, mommy and daddy all garbed in matching aloha attire. remember these parties are large - often folks who have not yet seen the baby or don't quite know the "host" family are invited to these celebrations. the matching outfits are like color coding for "here we are."

So that's the basics of it all - lots of ono food, lots of guests, lots of gifts, lots of hard work. But with the proper planning and lots of delegation - it will all come together.

Top Ten Tips for the traditional 1st Birthday Luau
1. Let baby get lots of rest, and just in case you didn't have a backup plan to place baby down in a playpen when they knock out and you need your hands free.
2. Recruit your helpers early and be sure they know their jobs, when to report, and how long they are "on duty". (Guest Table, decoration/setup committee, food prep committee, servers, bartenders, cleanup crew, gift wranglers, money box watcher, etc.)
3. Allow enough time between setup/decoration for the host family to get cleaned up, dressed properly and back to the party in time to greet their guests as they arrive.
4. Have someone else in charge of fresh flower leis for grandparents, those who deserve a special thanks and the main family. You won't have time and you'll probably forget the leis in you fridge.
5. Write out your thank you's ahead of time - this will minimize forgetting important folks, or taking too much time on the mic.
6. Keep some kind of music going at all times - unless someone is talking on the microphone or your clown musician has taken the stage.
7. Don't run out of food or drink and make sure it is all ono. Order/ Prepare adequately for the number of guests you expect and taste everything. Do have enough food to have leftovers or allow guests to make a take home plate - or have your server crew in charge of making some takeout plates.
8. Book your location early. You can pick the date and time a year in advance - you know the date - the baby's first birthday. (I recommend this especially if the baby will be born in a peak celebration season like weddings or graduation time)
9. Budget for this and be willing to take any kokua - in filipino tradition - there are sponsors who help to pay for/provide for different aspects of the party.
10. Designate or hire someone to take photos or video of the celebration - your hands probably won't be free and you ought to be in some of the photos/video.

watch for the second installment to this the MODERN baby luau...coming soon.

More on Kid's Parties

Construction Party
invitations with construction equipment, pinata is a wrecking ball, personalized hard hats for all the keiki, have a quarry of sand that has prizes hidden within.

Tweety Bird
a giant tweety on the egg shaped pinata, tweety cakes, tweety flags and balloons decoupaged with tweety.

hello kitty
the birthday girl was dressed in hello kitty apparel, kitty on the cake, kitty napkins, and hanging over the table - hello kitty adorned funnel shaped cones acting as lamp shades on the string of white lites.

Kid's parties - I have a girlfriend who is the queen of decorating for kiddie parties. She's done construction theme for her son, tweety bird, hello kitty, little blue teddy bears, flower pots. Some key elements to her success include - carrying the theme throughout the party - from invites, to decorations, to the cake, and favor bags.

Baby Shower Ideas

Pooh Theme:
Maybe your centerpiece could be Pooh's Honey Pot and you can fill it with all the tiny little things that new mommy's need - ask guests to bring something for the honeypot.

Maybe a game along the Pooh Theme could be - to match the character to their famous saying or action.

Games
A guessing/trivia about mommy game - have about 10 questions about mommy/daddy, new baby facts, due date, etc.

The String game - let guests - measure out a piece of string that they think will make it's way around mommy's tummy.  then at a certain point in the shower - have them hug mommy with their strings - the one the closest to perfect wins.  Or to speed this up - have a CORRECT ANSWER string cut to the correct length and let guests measure up to that.

Team game - dress the baby - in teams of 4-5 people - have multiple kits of the "clothing"  all the same- maybe  some ribbon - a roll of toilet paper, maybe a sheet or two of colored tissue - and some other little trinkets.  then under a time limit allow the teams to dress one of their team members as a baby.  It's quite a hoot watching folks do this.  Then let mommy vote for the best looking baby.  People get really creative with some toilet paper and ribbon.

Baby Food/ or Diaper Game - these are guessing games - you know guess what food - or guess what candy bar in the diaper.  If you have a lot of guests - then make a few sets of the jars and/or diapers - to make it quicker for circulating them around. 

Don't say "????" / or don't cross legs- using clothespins or daiper pins - each guest starts with 2 - then guests can take away pins as they catch other guests doing the DON"T - one with the most pins collected at the end of the shower wins.   here are some ideas for the don't -

     Don't say BABY
     Don't say MOMMY
     Don't say PREGNANT
     Don't say NURSERY
     Don't cross legs while sitting
     Don't say your own name
     Don't say the given/nick name of the person you're talking to. (this one is really hard..)

Other Guessing games - guess the number of  ??? in a jar
    cotton balls
    qtips
     candies
    diaper pins

Pa'ina is Hawaiian for party. Being one of my most favorite things to do - this blog will be a celebration of how to do it - on the cheap, in a pinch, under short time constraints, on a budget, in style, with that special something and other dakines...