So you received a lei (or a few), either to adorn yourself with or to gift to someone very soon. But as you stand there oohing and aahing, a sensible thought enters your mind: How do I keep these flower lei looking fresh until the main event?
The good news? It's not hard. All you have to do is follow these easy peasy tips and tricks.
Before Event Day
Say your lei is for graduation — or a wedding or celebration of life or anything and everything in between. Well, first things first, open and unpack your lei as soon as you can. It's common for lei to take on some added moisture during transit, so feel free to gently pat dry any excess droplets you may see with a paper towel.
Next, pop your lei back into the plastic container it arrived in before moving it ASAP into the refrigerator. Then all you have to do is leave it there until the big day.
During an Event
Lei are meant to be enjoyed, so don't worry too much about some wear and tear. Of course, if the climate you are in is warm, if you run hot, or if you are spending quite some time hugging people, it may lose some luster.
Feel free to keep your lei on at the start of the event, and then gently take it off and drape it on the table or back of a chair to preserver some of its freshness.
After an Event
If you had a stellar time at whatever celebration you attended whilst wearing your lei, then it may not be worth saving. However, some lei do dry quite nicely as keepsakes — ti leaf in particular. Kukui nut lei especially will last forever.