• Create colorful luau parties with varied themes.straw woven mat image by Sirena Designs from Fotolia.com
  
  If you're stumped as to a theme for a summer blowout or an end-of-school party, try a luau. A luau theme can be adapted to any age group, so children, teens and adults can all enjoy this kind of party. You can also mix and match luau motifs so that no two of your parties are the same.
  
  

Tiki Party

• Give your luau an exotic feel by going totally tiki. Bring as many palm trees--fake or real--into the party area as possible. String them with twinkle lights covered in tiny tiki masks or Easter Island heads. Cover the front of your bar with a grass skirt and put Hawaiian-print cushions on wicker chairs. Place plenty of tiki torches around the perimeter of the party area to keep away bugs and add to the theme. Cut coconuts, small melons and papayas in half. Scoop out their innards and use them as cups. Use frozen berries instead of ice cubes. Have a bonfire jumping, using LED lights, and have someone give hula lessons.
  
  

Flower Garden

• Give the luau theme a twist by turning your party area into a tropical garden. Gather as many flowers, fake and real, as you can into your party area. Orchids, lilies, birds of paradise, clematis, anemones and large, colorful blooms are all in order. Weave twinkle lights into trees and around bar stools and hang them on fences and the front of your bar. Place edible flowers on top of cookies and sprinkle them in drinks. Deep-fry squash blossoms as a side for your main course and make sure each guest has a flower lei or a flower in her hair. Make a rope of fake flowers for a limbo contest, and use more flowered vines to create an obstacle course.
  
  

Luau Pool Party

• Luaus traditionally take place on a beach, near the water. Keep to tradition by throwing a luau next to your pool. Disguise your pool as a beach by spreading sand-colored outdoor carpeting all around it. Hang strings of shells from trees to act as wind chimes and filter ocean sounds through your outdoor sound system or through a large stereo. Set up a small space for a bonfire. The fire can be in a fire pit or a low-sitting grill. Play plenty of pool games and serve seafood. Crab legs, shrimp and even sushi work well for this kind of party.