There is just something so fun about creating a special dinner for the grandkids—especially when they bring their dates and friends!
For this year’s homecoming dinner, we decided to go all out with a Surf’s Up Hawaiian-themed dinner party. Instead of simply setting the table and serving dinner, we turned our backyard into our own little tropical restaurant for the evening.
It was colorful, casual and festive, and I loved seeing all the details come together. Best of all, so many of the decorations were things I already owned, borrowed from friends or picked up inexpensively.
Creating Our Hawaiian Tablescape
Of course, I started with the table. You know me—the tablescape is always one of my favorite parts! Remember my Beach themed indoor tablescape here or my Dinner party by the lake here.
I covered the table with a simple beige tablecloth to create a neutral background. Then, instead of using a traditional table runner, I took a blue and green seashell-themed tablecloth and scrunched it down the center of the table.
I loved the way the gathered fabric added color and movement and almost gave the table the feeling of ocean waves.
Down the center, I placed three fresh pineapples and two real coconuts. Talk about easy tropical decor! They brought in height, texture and that perfect island feel—and I didn’t need to arrange a big floral centerpiece.
Adding Tropical Details
Next came two of the cutest little wicker table lamps that I found at Walmart. They are rechargeable and have three different light settings, from warm to cool.
These little lamps were perfect for our outdoor dinner because as the sun began to go down, they gave the table such a cozy glow.
Around the pineapples, coconuts and lamps, I scattered seashells in different shapes and sizes. I tucked in bits of greenery and then walked out to my garden, clipped a few small white flowers and tucked those in here and there.
Nothing complicated!
A few small votive candles scattered along the table added just the right amount of flickering candlelight as evening arrived.
Seashell Place Cards for Each Guest
One of my favorite details was something my daughter created.
She used her Cricut to cut out each guest’s name. We placed the names inside individual seashells and secured them with a little double-sided tape.
They made the cutest personalized place cards!
It was such a simple detail, but I think adding someone’s name to a place setting immediately makes a dinner feel more special. Plus, the shells tied in perfectly with our Surf’s Up theme.
Blue and Green Tropical Place Settings
For each place setting, I started with fun blue and green plastic chargers and topped them with my regular white dinner plates.
Blue and green cloth napkins were cinched inside beautiful gold seashell napkin rings that a sweet friend gave me years ago. I love pulling out pieces like these and finding a new way to use them.
Gold flatware added a little sparkle without making the table feel too formal.
Then I alternated cobalt blue and green goblets around the table. Between the colorful glassware, chargers, gold accents and seashells, the whole table felt tropical without being too over-the-top.
Turning the Backyard Into a Surf-Themed Hawaiian themed Dinner Party
The fun didn’t stop at the table.
A sweet friend let me borrow a surfboard along with a few other beachy decorations. We placed them around the yard so the kids felt like they were arriving at a little surfside restaurant rather than just coming to Grandma’s house for dinner.
Those extra touches really helped set the mood before they even sat down at the table.
You definitely don’t have to buy everything when you’re decorating for a party. Look around your house, ask friends what they have and think about unexpected things you can use as decor.
A borrowed surfboard ended up being one of the best decorations of the night!
Our Hawaiian-Inspired Homecoming Dinner Menu
I wanted the food to fit our tropical theme but also wanted dishes that teenagers would actually enjoy.
Our menu included:
- Grilled teriyaki chicken
- Coconut rice
- Sweet pepper and pineapple kabobs
- Caesar salad—specifically requested by my grandson!
It was such a delicious combination. The teriyaki chicken, coconut rice and grilled pineapple gave us those island flavors, while the Caesar salad kept everyone happy.
Brown Butter Mini Cakes for Dessert
And then there was dessert!
I made brown butter mini cakes topped with vanilla ice cream and warm brown butter sauce. Recipe will be coming.
Oh my goodness.
Warm little cakes, cold vanilla ice cream and that buttery sauce drizzled over the top were the perfect way to finish our Surf’s Up dinner.
The kids loved them!
Making Homecoming Memories
As pretty as the table was and as much fun as I had planning all the little details, my favorite part of the evening was watching my grandkids, their dates and their friends sitting around the table together.
That’s really why I love doing things like this.
It doesn’t have to be perfect or terribly expensive to make people feel special. A few pineapples, some seashells, colorful dishes, borrowed decorations and a meal made with love can completely transform an ordinary backyard into something memorable.
I’m also so grateful for my family and friends who jumped in to help me pull everything together. From making the personalized seashell place cards to loaning me the surfboard and beach decor, it really was a group effort.
And seeing those kids enjoying themselves made every bit of it worth it.
I hope this gives you a few ideas for creating your own Hawaiian themed dinner party. This theme would be just as much fun for a summer birthday, graduation dinner, family reunion, neighborhood party or simply a backyard dinner with friends.
Sometimes you don’t need a huge occasion to make an evening feel special.
And I’m pretty sure three pineapples and a surfboard can turn just about any backyard into a party. 😉
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