What is a classic summer birthday party theme? The Luau. It’s bright, colorful, tropical… and perfect for a menu filled with fresh summer fruits!
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BirthdaysMadeBrighte
When it comes to planning a birthday party, I love affordable and simple DIY projects. After a quick stop at Meijer, I had everything I needed for a summer luau, all from American Greetings, in the card and party section.
Pineapple and Watermelon Party Decorations: Supplies
- American Greetings Tissue Paper in Red, Yellow, and Green
- Floral Wire
- Wire Snips
- Fishing Line
- Scissors
- Pineapple Leaf Template {available at end of the post}
- Watermelon Leaf Template {available at end of the post}
- Green Cardstock
- Black Cardstock
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue
- American Greetings Goodie Bags
- Stapler
- Pineapple and Watermelon Bag Topper Printable {available at end of the post}
- Straws
- Hole Punch
- Pineapple and Watermelon Straw Decoration Printable {available at end of the post}
- American Greetings Wrapping Paper
Pineapple and Watermelon Party Decorations: Pom-Poms
American Greetings Tissue Paper is available in 20″ x 25″ sheets, in packs of 6 or 20. To make a pineapple Pom-Pom, begin with a stack of yellow tissue paper — approximately 6 sheets. Cut it in half, so that the stack is now 10″x25″ {note: one 6 pack of tissue paper will make two pineapples}.
10″x25″ stack of 6 yellow tissue paper sheets
Fold the tissue paper every 1.5 inches, in an accordion style {fold, flip over, fold, flip over}. Don’t stress over exact folds, it won’t matter if they are perfectly even.
tissue paper folded in accordion style, approximately 1.5″ inches wide
Next, fold the stack of paper in half and wrap floral wire around the middle. Secure the wire. If you are going to hang the Pom-Poms, tie fishing line to the wire.
Using scissors, trim the ends of the tissue paper to a point.
Now the Pom-Pom is ready to fluff. Spread the tissue paper into a fan.
Take a single layer of tissue paper and pull it apart from the stack. Repeat for each layer, fluffing the Pom-Pom into a pineapple shape.
Next, cut pineapple leaves, using the template as a guide and attach them to the pineapple with hot glue.
download the pineapple leaf template at the end of the post
To make a watermelon Pom-Pom, there are a few differences:
- Use 2 sheets of green tissue paper and 6 sheets of red tissue paper in the original stack.
- Do not cut the stack in half.
- After folding the tissue paper, cut the ends to a round shape, instead of a point.
- Instead of pineapple leaves, attach watermelon seeds with hot glue.
download the watermelon seed template at the end of the post
Pineapple and Watermelon Party Decorations: Goodie Bags
Download the Pineapple and Watermelon images at the end of the post. Cut out the larger fruit to use as bag toppers. Once cut, fold the fruit in half.
two sheets of printables, pineapple and watermelon
fold the fruit in half as a bag topper
Next, fill the goodie bag and fold down the top of the bag. Slide the topper over the fold and staple it to the bag.
Meijer had several colors of American Greetings goodie bags and I chose a bright green to tie in with the watermelon rind and pineapple leaves.
Pineapple and Watermelon Party Decorations: Straw Decorations
Now, cut out the small pineapple and watermelons for straw decorations. Punch two holes in each piece of fruit, one hole at the top and one hole at the bottom.
Once the holes are punched, slide the straw through.
Do you feel summer luau ready? Well, I’ve got one more bonus tip! Instead of buying tablecloths, purchase a role of gift wrap. I chose an American Greetings stripe green wrap from the party section at Meijer.
Using gift wrap as a table decoration is one of my favorite party tricks. There are many more pattern choices in gift wrap than tablecloths.
Of course, you’ll also need to fill a bowl with some pineapple and watermelon!
The American Greetings birthday card selection was perfect for this bright party. They have cards for every age — general cards and cards with well-known characters. I loved all the kid’s cards featuring cheerful colors and glitter! Who doesn’t like a little glitter?
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Are you planning any summer birthday parties? If so, give this party theme a try — I think you’ll love the cheerful color palette and tropical vibes.
What’s your favorite summer party theme?
Tish
Tuesday 11th of July 2017
Do you have any ideas with a baseball theme?
Lora Green
Tuesday 11th of July 2017
Sorry, Tish, I don't have any posts on a baseball party.