There are a lot of reasons for us to throw a party for family and friends. Whether it's for a birthday, a graduation, an anniversary, or any other special occasion, we just love having clean fun with our loved ones. And the most memorable among these gatherings are usually those that carry a specific theme. So, the next time you decide to throw a party for your peers, why don't you plan a Tiki-themed event? Nothing invites people to loosen up and have fun more effectively than a good combination of luau-style food, cocktails, and attractive Tiki decorations.

When summer is here, it is definitely the best time to throw a Tiki party. Summer evenings are comfortably warm and Tiki torches look beautiful when lit at around nine or ten at night. Even if you're just hanging out in your backyard, a Tiki theme can make your party feel like a fun-filled night at the beach. Here are a few tips on how you can create the perfect tropical party atmosphere with a few well-placed Tiki decorations.

Even if your party is taking place exclusively in the backyard, it is a good idea to decorate indoors as well as outdoors. After all, your guests will have to go through the front door as they arrive and several of them may need to use the bathroom as the night goes on. It would be nice if they got into the whole Tiki concept as soon as they enter and keep the mood all throughout the party. You may be concerned about the expense involved if you decide to decorate both indoors and outdoors, but it isn't really very costly to do so.

You can create a Tiki atmosphere simply by placing either fake or real tropical flowers in strategic locations around the house. You may also replace curtains, throw covers, and placemats with brightly-colored fabrics typical of the Tiki decorating style. Switch off the fluorescent lights and set up paper lanterns and candles inside the house, and Tiki torches outside to achieve the ultimate tropical island appeal. Bamboo furniture, totem poles, and masks can also add to your party's Tiki flavor.

Music is another important element. Choose thematic music that perfectly complements the Tiki decorations that you have set up. Drum-based music is a good choice if you plan to encourage dancing as one of your party's highlights. Naturally, you will have to serve luau-style dishes in order to be consistent with your theme. Stoke up the fire pit, take out the barbecue, and cook up sauces that have a distinct island flavor. Tiki-style cocktails and rum punches tend to be on the sweet side, so make sure to add a bit of spice to the food that you prepare.

Tables should not be taken for granted when decorating for a Tiki-themed party. You may use cut pineapples as the centerpiece for a truly tropical feel. You may even use cups and plates that carry a tropical theme. If you have the budget for it, you may even set up something as elaborate as a Tiki hut, but something as simple as a portable bar made of bamboo will work just as well. No matter how simple your Tiki decorations are, as long as you arrange them strategically and plan the other details carefully, your friends should be in for one hell of a party.