Trying to come up with a fun birthday party theme? Think Hawaiian with a luau birthday party. Send birthday invitations specifying the dress code – Hawaiian shirts, hula skirts, etc. Buy some island music from a party store for some Hula dancing or the Limbo. For decorations, consider bamboo tiki torches, inflatable parrots or palm trees. Serve some traditional Hawaiian dishes, such as shredded pork, but remember to fix some side dishes to accompany the main dishes. Following are a few recipes for Hawaiian side dishes certain to make any luau birthday party a success.

Banana-Yam Casserole

Ingredients
4 yams or sweet potatoes
4 ripe but not overly ripe bananas
1/4 to 1/3 cup brown sugar
2-3 Tbsp butter
Dash of salt
1/2 cup water

Preparation
Preheat over to 350. Parboil the sweet potatoes. Cool and peel. Slice into 1/4 inch slices. Slice the bananas into 1/4 inch slices. Prepare a casserole dish by buttering the inside. Place a layer of sweet potatoes in the casserole dish. Add a dash of salt and small pieces of butter. Sprinkle with the brown sugar. Add a layer of the banana slices, small pieces of butter and brown sugar. Alternate layers until the casserole is nearly full, ending with the bananas, brown sugar and butter on top. Add a dash of salt. Add the water and bake in a 350 oven 30-40 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Coconut Fruit Salad

Ingredients
1 fresh pineapple
3 oranges
3 pears
1 cup red seedless grapes
5 bananas
4 crisp apples
3 peaches
25 large marshmallows
1 cup of walnuts
1 cup shredded coconut (may substitute melon, kiwi, mango, papaya, guava, nectarines, grapefruit if necessary)

Preparation
All of the fruit should be cut or sliced into bite-size pieces. Combine all the ingredients except the bananas, walnuts, and coconut. Cover and chill. Just before serving, mix in the bananas and walnuts. Sprinkle the shredded coconut over the top. This is a delicious tropical fruit salad with a Hawaiian twist. Serves 25.

Enjoy your Hawaiian luau birthday party!

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com. Find birthday party planning tips and resources at http://www.myguidesusa.com/birthdays