Are you dreaming of a Hawaii vacation that’s not within your budget? Keep scrolling to find some easy ways to do a Hawaii Christmas luau party.
This post about easy ways to do a Hawaii Christmas at home was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Look, I get it. You’re dreaming of spending Christmas in Hawaii, but flights are expensive and you’ve got other things going on. The good news? You can still create that tropical holiday vibe right where you are.
I’ve put together my favorite ways to add some serious island energy to your Christmas. Some of these are crafty (if that’s your thing), and others are so easy you could do them in your pajamas.
Whether you’re throwing a full-on tropical party or just want to shake up your usual decorations, these ideas actually work.
12 Christmas Luau Party Ideas to Do at Home
Turn a Pineapple Into Your New Favorite Decoration
I’m slightly obsessed with pineapples. They’re delicious, they look amazing, and those sturdy leaves on top? Perfect for hanging tiny ornaments.
Grab a fresh pineapple and some small ornaments (the mini ones work best). Hook them onto the leaves and you’ve got yourself the cutest centerpiece.
Keep it up for a few days before your party or dinner, then slice it up and serve it. Nothing goes to waste, and honestly, fresh pineapple with Christmas dinner hits different.
If you want something that lasts longer, you can make a full paper pineapple centerpiece that sticks around for the whole season.
Your New Holiday Playlist Essential
If you’ve never heard “Mele Kalikimaka” by Bing Crosby, stop everything and go listen to it right now. I’ll wait.
It’s the Hawaiian Christmas song, and it’s absolutely perfect for getting into that island holiday mood. Add it to your holiday playlist alongside your usual favorites. Bonus points if you try to hula dance to it (YouTube has tutorials if you need them, no judgment).
There’s actually a whole world of Hawaiian Christmas music out there. Artists like Jake Shimabukuro and Amy Hanaiali’i have amazing holiday albums that’ll make you feel like you’re watching sunset at the beach instead of shoveling snow. Check out my top Hawaiian Christmas music!
Give Your Tree Some Island Flair
Your Christmas tree doesn’t have to be all traditional. Hawaiian ornaments are surprisingly easy to find online, and they’re adorable. Think hula Santas, surfboard ornaments, sea turtles wearing Santa hats. That kind of thing.
You can mix them into your existing ornament collection for an eclectic vibe, or go all in and make it completely tropical. Both ways work.
Make Something With Your Hands (It’s Easier Than You Think)
Poinsettias are huge in Hawaii during Christmas. Like, everywhere. The red ones are stunning against all that green tropical backdrop.
You can make origami poinsettias pretty easily, even if you’re not usually a craft person. I’ve got a tutorial on my site that breaks it down step by step.
Once you make a few, you can use them as place settings on your table, turn them into ornaments, or string them together into a garland. They look way fancier than the effort required.
The Lei Garland Trick
Here’s a game changer: buy silk flower leis (not the cheap plastic ones) and carefully cut and tie them together to make long garlands. Wrap them around your tree like you would with regular garland.
It fills out a tree beautifully, especially if you don’t have a ton of ornaments or you like that full, lush look. The colors pop against the green branches, and it genuinely looks like something special.
You can also hang these on your front door, your stair railing, or anywhere else that needs some aloha.
Add a Lei to Everything
This is one of my favorite tricks because it’s so simple but makes such a difference. Take your regular Christmas decorations (your Santa figures, snowmen, whatever you’ve got) and add tiny leis to them.
You can make mini leis from silk flowers with just a needle and thread. Or go even easier and make little grass skirts out of raffia. A snowman in a grass skirt? It’s weird in the best way possible.
Or if you like to go all out, you can buy Hawaiian Christmas decorations to give your tree that Aloha vibes!
Mini Palm Trees Are Your Friend
Those little light-up palm trees you can buy online are adorable year-round, but during Christmas they’re perfect for hanging ornaments. You can also glue colorful pom poms on them to make them more festive.
They work great as centerpieces or just tucked into a bookshelf or side table. Instant tropical vibes.
Don’t Forget the Wrapping Paper
If you’re really committing to the theme, grab some Hawaiian or tropical wrapping paper. Hibiscus flowers, palm leaves, pineapples, whatever speaks to you.
Your presents will look amazing under the tree, and it ties the whole aesthetic together. Plus, if you’re hosting a party and doing gift exchanges or game prizes, this makes everything feel more cohesive.
The Flower Clip Hack
Hawaiian flower hair clips (plumeria and hibiscus ones) aren’t just for hair. Clip them onto your tree branches for pops of color. They also work great for securing lights or garland in place.
It’s one of those little touches that people notice and ask about. They’re cheap, reusable every year, and way cuter than the random clips you’re probably using now.
DIY a Poinsettia Wreath
If you like making wreaths, paper poinsettias with burlap ribbon create a really pretty look. They’re easier to make than they look, and you can hang them on interior doors or your front door.
I’ve got a full tutorial on my site if you want to try it. The burlap gives it that natural, island-inspired feel without being too over the top.
Shell Leis Work Too
Similar concept to the silk flower leis, but with shells. If you’ve been to Hawaii and brought home shell leis, now’s the time to use them. If you haven’t, you can order them online.
Tie several together (don’t cut them or the shells will fall off) and drape them around your fireplace, on your table, or on your tree. They bring that beachy element in without feeling too summery.
You could even make this a party activity if you’re having people over. It’s kind of fun and meditative.
The Mini Tree Trick
Got a small tabletop tree sitting in storage? Pull it out and decorate it completely with flowers. Take apart old silk leis or make origami flowers and cover that little tree.
It becomes this really unique tropical centerpiece that works on a dining table, kitchen counter, or side table.
The Costco Move
Okay, this isn’t exactly a craft, but if you really want to feel like you’re in a Hawaiian hotel lobby at Christmas, buy a bunch of poinsettias. Costco has the huge ones, or you can grab smaller ones from grocery stores or nurseries.
Group them together in your entryway or living room. That pop of red against everything else just works. It’s the easiest way to make a big impact.
Quick Answers to Questions You Probably Have
Absolutely. Hawaiian Christmas traditions are actually pretty special, with unique local touches mixed in with the familiar stuff. If you ever get the chance to spend the holidays there, the Christmas light displays alone are worth it.
Besides “Mele Kalikimaka,” check out the 12 Days of Christmas done Hawaiian style. So many local musicians have Christmas albums. Just search for Hawaiian Christmas music on your streaming service and you’ll find tons.
Usually an aloha shirt and shorts. Because wearing a full red suit in tropical heat would be ridiculous.
They’ve got all the usual stuff (lights, trees, ornaments), but you’ll see more poinsettias, Shaka Santas, and tropical touches mixed in. It’s familiar but with that island twist.
Here’s the Thing
You don’t need to do all of this. Pick one or two ideas that sound fun and start there. Maybe it’s just adding “Mele Kalikimaka” to your playlist and putting a few flower clips on your tree. Maybe you go full tropical and transform your entire house.
Either way, bringing a little bit of that Hawaiian Christmas spirit into your home is easier than you think. And honestly? It makes the holidays feel fresh and different, which is something we all need sometimes.
No plane ticket required.
Looking for more Hawaii Christmas ideas? Find out how to make paper poinsettias, origami poinsettias, paper poinsettia wreath, printable Hawaii Christmas coloring book, Christmas movies based in Hawaii, and get a printable Mele Kalikimaka sign.
