The invitations could have a caricature of the guest of honor with a mai tai in a hammock on a beach, for example. Or for a less humor loving personality, the invitations might have a Hawaiian flower or sunset sailboat design.
No matter what type of design you go with for the retirement luau invitations, be sure to send them to the retiree's family including grandchildren and others close to him or her.
If the guest of honor is adventurous and talks of learning to surf someday, decorate the luau with life size cardboard surfboards and posters of tropical adventures.
Luau Retirement Party Ideas
A luau with a laid back Hawaiian theme is a great way to celebrate someone's retirement, and with some good luau retirement party ideas, you can host a party that is great fun for all and maybe even inspires a much deserved Hawaiian vacation!
A luau with a laid back Hawaiian theme is a great way to celebrate someone's retirement, and with some good luau retirement party ideas, you can host a party that is great fun for all and maybe even inspires a much deserved Hawaiian vacation!
As for any luau, create a tropical ambiance using decorations such as potted palms, tiki torches and Hawaiian flowers. A tiki bar serving festive tropical drinks with tiny umbrellas in hurricane glasses or coconut shells will help get everyone into a party mood.
If this is a big retirement party, consider renting a venue, unless you have a large patio in a nice setting at your disposal. In the summer, a poolside luau is also always nice, whether swimming will be on the agenda or just to have the pool with pretty lights and tiki torches as a nice setting for the dinner tables and entertainment.
Include in the decorations a big banner with a nice message for the retiree. Take the guest of honor's interests and personality into consideration when planning decorations, activities, invitations, and other details.
If the guest of honor is a foodie, decorate the luau with pretty baskets of fruit and pay special attention to the cooking and presentation of the luau feast, maybe even have it catered.
Speaking of food…be sure to include in the luau foods that your guest of honor enjoys, whether it be authentic haupia pudding or a pineapple upside down cake!
Before everyone starts feasting have special toasts to the retiree. Preparing a toast or short speech, takes a little planning. In your luau party invitations, welcome guests to prepare something to say – this could be highlights of the retiree's accomplishments, a warm or humorous memory, a short speech summarizing the highlights of the retiree's career path or paths from the first job onwards, etc.
Prepare or have someone close to the retiree prepare a special speech to end this phase of the luau on a happy note that speaks of things that the retiree looks forward to do. Retirement is an ending of a career or job but it's not the ending of life…sailing off into the sunset can mean sailing off to new adventures!
Prepare or have someone close to the retiree prepare a special speech to end this phase of the luau on a happy note that speaks of things that the retiree looks forward to do. Retirement is an ending of a career or job but it's not the ending of life…sailing off into the sunset can mean sailing off to new adventures!
Not everyone can makes speeches or toasts – public speaking is extremely difficult for most, so provide an alternate, and more permanent way, for others to share their memories and well wishes with the retiree by placing a keepsake book on a table where guests can – at their leisure during the luau – write in it. Towards the end of the luau with their permission, read highlights from the book.
Bring fun to the retirement party with luau games such as limbo and Hawaiian style charades. (Details on our luau games for grownups and luau games for seniors pages).
Hawaiian music and dance are traditions at a luau, and the retirement party is no exception. Ask the luau entertainment planner or hula halau to perform a special dance and song for the guest of honor.
While you will probably want to have each guest greeted with a kiss and a lei (real or silk) placed around his or her neck, consider ordering a special lei for the guest of honor.
A retirement is a big deal, and with these luau retirement party ideas, you can ensure that
the retiree knows his contributions to work are appreciated and that there is a bright future – perhaps one with a tropical beach – awaiting!
