how do you throw a summer party

How to Throw a Summer Party

• 1. Pick a theme Choose a theme and stick with it. ...
• 2. Organize your guestlist You will probably want to socialize with everyone you know but consider your guest list carefully. ...
• 3. Plan the menu ...
• 4. Serve summer cocktails ...
• 5. Create conversation zones ...
• 6. Get the lighting right ...
• 7. Sort out a summer playlist ...
• 8. Keep the party going ...

Full Answer

How to plan the Best Backyard Party?

Set the stage for your best backyard bash — from creating the outdoor ambiance to picking the perfect menu. 1. Go with a theme Sticking with a theme is an easy way to ensure your party packs a punch. Don’t worry about matching every piece of your flatware, servingware and drinkware — but do keep the look cohesive by choosing an overarching motif.

How do you make a party look good at home?

Go with a theme Sticking with a theme is an easy way to ensure your party packs a punch. Don’t worry about matching every piece of your flatware, servingware and drinkware — but do keep the look cohesive by choosing an overarching motif.

How do I plan a great housewarming party?

Sticking with a theme is an easy way to ensure your party packs a punch. Don’t worry about matching every piece of your flatware, servingware and drinkware — but do keep the look cohesive by choosing an overarching motif. Use sleek and modern elements for a stunning tabletop, or opt for an assortment of shabby-chic pieces for a rustic touch.

How do you plan a romantic dinner for 20 people?

Pick the perfect menu Whether you’re feeding 20 people or planning a romantic dinner for four, your menu is what your guests will remember. For smaller, intimate affairs, go for cuts of meat that ramp up the swish factor (think Wagyu steaks or filet mignon).

How do you host a fun summer party?

How to Host an Easy and Special Summer PartyGive Guests Enough Time to Plan. With ball games, beach trips, and family reunions, summer calendars tend to fill up fast. ... Take Inventory of Party Elements. Make a checklist of what you have and need for entertaining. ... Keep the Menu Simple. ... Don't Overthink the Drinks.

What do you need for a summer party?

You'll need more than food and alcohol to throw a swinging summer party. A week or so before the event, pick up decorations, serving dishes, plates, cutlery, linens, napkins, cups, garbage bags, cleaning products, soap, paper towels and toilet paper.

What are the steps to throwing a party?

Entertaining Made Easy: 10 Ways to Throw a Successful PartyDon't Be Afraid to Invite a Circus. ... Upend the Party Formula. ... Give Your Guests Something To Do. ... The Music Matters. ... Embrace Wretched Excess. ... Disregard the Last Tip. ... Plan Your Bar. ... Know Your Guests and Seat Them Properly.More items...

What is the best theme for a summer party?

6 fun summer theme party ideasLuau Party. Traditionally rooted in Hawaiian culture and stemming from the islands of Hawaii, luau parties are one of the most popular summer dinner party themes. ... French garden party. ... Beach Party. ... Pool party. ... Picnic party. ... Backyard bohemian BBQ party.

What time should a summer party start?

Summer Party Preferences As for the perfect time—they were a bit more conflicted, but the general consensus was that it's best to host it between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. If you're looking for the perfect party locale, look no further than your own backyard or a friend's.

How do you throw an outdoor summer party?

10 Tips for Throwing a Great Outdoor Party in SummerSend invites out early. As the weather heats up, people's calendars fill up too. ... Let guests know what to bring. ... Have backup plans in case of weather. ... Prep the yard. ... Get rid of the mosquitoes. ... Plan seating. ... Cool things down. ... Set the mood with great music.More items...

How do I host a good party?

How To Be The Best HostessAsk for help. ... Give yourself 25% more time than you think you need. ... When in doubt: nice smells and good lighting! ... Invite a few VIPS. ... Use the 1:3 ratio for cooking. ... Fill the void. ... Set boundaries clearly. ... Invest in a good bottle opener.More items...•

What makes a perfect party?

A warm, relaxed and confident greeting puts people at ease right away. a personalized compliment to make guests feel special and you're already winning. Something to hold: As soon as people have received a warm welcome, make sure they have instant access to drinks and something to nibble.

How do you keep guests entertained at a party?

Party Tips to Entertain your GuestsTIP #1: Do Not Plan It All by Yourself!TIP #2: An Attractive Guest Group!TIP #3: An Energetic Music Playlist!TIP #4: Pensive Details!TIP #5: Delicious Food Servings!TIP #6: Super Sizzling Cocktails!TIP #7: A Surprise Element!TIP #8: Activities for Group Bonding!

How do you throw an end of a summer party?

7 Tips to Throw an End of Summer PartyBring the Color. Are the last of your summer blooms starting to look a little worse for wear? ... Add Some Signage. Make your decorations functional by adding creative signage to your patio. ... DIY A Photo Booth. ... Finger Food Fun. ... Don't Stop the Music. ... Comfortable Seating.

What are some summer themes?

These summer event themes bring the heat!Island Luau. ... Summer of Sustainability. ... Derby Days. ... Summer Olympics. ... Pantone Color of the Year. ... Scavenger Hunt. ... Glow in the Park. ... Summer Speakeasy.More items...

How do you name a party?

General Party Name IdeasRazzle Dazzle.Rockin' Rollick.Funky Fest.Booty Ball.Hollapalooza.Untamed Night.“Bring Your Own Booty” Dance Party.Drink Outside the Box.More items...

How do you throw a small house party?

7 Ideas for Hosting a Party in a Small HouseSet the scene. ... Think outside the box. ... Keep temperatures low. ... Conserve drinkware. ... Establish a coat room. ... Be a décor minimalist. ... Avoid traffic jams.

How do you make a party fun for adults?

20 Fun Things to Do at Any Party01 of 20. Have a Themed Dance-Off. ... 02 of 20. Plan an At-Home Trivia Night. ... 03 of 20. Opt for Board Games. ... 04 of 20. Turn Your Place into a Casino. ... 05 of 20. On a Budget? ... 06 of 20. Put on a Scavenger Hunt. ... 07 of 20. Throw a Pizza or Cheeseboard Making Party. ... 08 of 20.More items...•

How do you throw a good birthday party?

Top 10 Tips for Throwing a Great Birthday PartyCreate a Guest List. Choosing your guest list is perhaps the most important part of party planning. ... Pick a Venue. ... Choose a Theme. ... Decide on a Time. ... Send Invitations in Advance. ... Have Plenty of Activities. ... Serve Some Delicious Snacks. ... Consider Entertainment.More items...•

What is the best way to plan a birthday party?

6 to 8 Weeks Before the PartySit down with your child, and choose a party theme. ... Set a date.Book a venue or entertainment, if desired.Order invitations, or purchase supplies for homemade invitations.Set a budget.Determine a guest list.Begin shopping for gifts for the birthday kid.

Divide and conquer key tasks

Step one: deputize. Quickly getting a feel for how big the party will be is a priority, so hour one should involve putting a friend in charge of getting a rough headcount. Next, delegate who should be in charge of food and drinks, so they can make the run to a grocery store.

Simplify the drink menu

The drinks situation often makes or breaks a party, so figure out which beverages to serve first and foremost. A DIY station is the easiest way to keep everyone happy, so pick up ice, a selection of drinks, and don’t forget the mixers for those looking to partake.

Lean into snacks

To make sure people aren’t imbibing on an empty stomach, you’ll want some options for food. Of course, prep time is limited, so stick to chips and dip, prepped dishes, and other easy to serve items. This doesn’t have to look rushed, either — a quick charcuterie board is simple yet tasteful.

Prep an activity

Now that you’ve sorted out the crucial elements, spend the second hour pulling out the board games, badminton nets, and charades clues and you’ll have this party feeling like a pre-planned event in no time. Here’s where your friend handling invites will come in handy: let friends know to bring games like cornhole or cards to beef up the options.

Be flexible

Two hours isn’t nearly enough time to be fussy about invites, party favors, or other details, so embrace the spontaneity. If the group votes to migrate your house party to a nearby park, cancel the oven preheat and switch to to-go cups.

1. Keep the Menu Simple

I enjoy making and finding new recipes, but when you are hosting a casual summer party I like to keep it simple. Roasted potatoes, cut watermelon, and pre-packaged bagged salads scream summer and are super easy to throw together.

2. Appetizers Outside

I have one of those kitchens that everyone seems to congregate in whenever I invite folks over. To encourage folks to take the party outdoors, I have snacks and/or appetizers set up when people arrive at different conversation spots on my deck. Once again keep it simple...

3. Drink Station

Any good party needs drinks. To make hosting easier, set up a table or cooler outdoors with beer, wine or whatever you decide to serve. Your guests can help themselves and stay outdoors enjoying the gorgeous summer weather. Don't forget water and non-alcoholic drinks for kids or folks who aren't drinking for any reason.

4. Mosquito Control

Since most of my effortless summer party tips so far have been about making your guests comfortable and fed outside, don't forget about mosquito control. There is nothing worse than attending a party and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes.

5. Music

Any good party needs music! Making a handcrafted playlist is great, but if you don't have time just set your phone and outdoor speaker to a pre-made mix on Amazon or Spotify.

6. Smore's Kit

Have a fire pit? I do and love using it during outdoor parties. To make sure I'm always ready to go I keep a Smore's Kit, which is a basket with graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows and the sticks! I also throw in some napkins and plates just in case. That way people can make their own without waiting for me to pull out all the stuff.

7. Keep it Casual

There are so many ways to approach how to throw a summer party. Sure an elegant, starlit sit-down dinner party is lovely... but I promise your guest will love something casual just as much... and even your silly pup can attend.

How to Plan the Perfect Summer Party

Summertime is the perfect time for entertaining. It is usually warm enough to be able to hold your party outdoors, barring inclement weather. Moreover, even if there is a rainstorm, outdoor event tents will generally keep the raindrops away from your guests.

Decorations

Deciding on what types of decorations you are going to have is often a delight for those with a creative mind. Is your party a themed party? If so, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find appropriate decorations at a nearby party store. Many online party stores can also accommodate your needs.

Music

Though it may not seem significant, music creates the mood for any party. If you are having a cocktail party, you might want to include soft jazz music with muted lighting. Livelier bluegrass music and brighter lighting would work better for a cookout.

Activities for Children

If you are planning a party for families, don’t forget to include activities for the children. You might also want to consider the ages of the children as activities that might be of interest to preteens probably won’t be suitable for children under ten. Don’t forget that parents need time to kick back and enjoy the party, too.

Games

Children aren’t the only ones who love party games. There are plenty of games that both adults and kids can enjoy together. The old-fashioned potato sack race is fun for adults and children. Just gather up some burlap sacks or old sturdy pillowcases and you have all the equipment you need for this fun-filled race.

Goody Bags

While goody bags are often used for children’s parties, you can use goody bags for adult or family parties as well. You might consider using red, white, and blue bags for and Independence Day themed party or colorful neon colored bags for your summer barbeque.

The Food

Of course, a party would not be a party without the food. While all of the other details of the party previously mentioned are very important, food can make a break a party.

How to throw a stress free party?from wikihow.com

To throw a stress-free party, come up with a fun and colorful theme and decorate with tablecloths and mood lighting. Party-proof your house by providing easy bathroom access and clearing out breakable items. Introduce guests to each other, lead games, and monitor the flow of the party, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself, too! For more ideas on how to invite your guests and spread the word about your party, keep reading!

How to keep guests entertained?from wikihow.com

Keep the guests entertained and mingling. This should only partly be your job -- you should be having fun, too! You might think of assigning this to particularly bubbly or extroverted attendees in advance. Give them a simple list of communication ideas. Maybe a different colored wrist band, glass or name tag. But do keep an eye on the feel of the room -- does the music need to be changed? Has anything run out? Are people mingling appropriately? Mix 'em up and get them talking if you have to! New people may need a nudge in the right direction.

How to hug someone who doesn't want to hug?from scienceofpeople.com

If you don’t want to hug, approach with your body at an angle so you’re putting one arm forward for a handshake while angling the other side of your body away from the person. If you don’t want a handshake, the best thing is put your hand up for a wave and say something like “Hi, it’s good to see you.”.

Why do I like fondue and smores?from scienceofpeople.com

There is a reason I really like serving s’mores and fondue at my parties. It encourages everyone to gather around and do the same activity at the same time.

How to decorate a room for a potluck?from wikihow.com

Decorate! This can be as simple as throwing on a tablecloth and waiting for the potluck dishes to show up or as extravagant as lining the entire room in glitter snowflakes, making fake snow, and turning the AC on high. Luckily, there's no wrong way to go about it.

What to do for a decorations committee?from wikihow.com

Your theme should make this a lot easier -- once you know it, you can narrow down what you need and let the committee handle it. If you don't want traditional decorations, use tablecloths and/or place-mats and the like, for easy clean up. Here's a bare minimum checklist of things to have:

What is the best music to dance to?from wikihow.com

Music. Get good music you can dance to. But also good music you can ignore with 90 percent of your brain while interacting with your guests and others present, expressing ardent points of view, etc. Instrumental music, such as chill lounge, acid jazz, dub, rasta, tribal, and jazz, are good choices.

How do you make a party not boring?

As what is considered boring is subjective. However, some tips that may help to make a party more enjoyable for guests include making sure there is a variety of activities, encouraging guests to mingle and socialize, and having quality food and drinks available.

How do you entertain guests at a party?

Party hosts often provide food and drinks for their guests. They may also play music or hire a DJ, and set up games or activities.

How can I be a good party host?

A good party host is someone who is organized, welcoming, and has a good sense of how to keep a crowd entertained.

What to do with fresh cut flowers?

Fresh-cut flowers can be used to decorate with centerpieces or as wall decor. Pick your flowers based on your summer dinner party color scheme. Big, bold blooms bring lots of life and color to a dinner party table. Small flowers in small vases provide tiny pops of color all around the table.

What is a summer dinner party without decorations?

What's a party without decorations? Make your own! Throwing a summer dinner party can be the reason you finish your next DIY project. A homemade flower chandelier or a colorful tablecloth are the personal touches that will make your summer dinner party stand out. Good food is even better in a beautifully decorated setting.

What is a good appetizer for a summer dinner party?

A charcuterie board is always a good appetizer choice, but it's our favorite option for a summer dinner party. A wood charcuterie board with several bite-size finger foods allows guests to enjoy grab-and-go party foods and encourages mingling—perfect for a dinner party where the guests may not all know each other.

What to do with outdoor space in summer?

Summer is the time to get outside! Utilize your outdoor space to throw a summer dinner party under the stars, a pergola, or the treetops. Update your patio space with wall decor, a DIY fire pit, or planters. Make sure there is plenty of outdoor seating for all of your guests. Oversize outdoor pillows tossed about the space is a super easy way to create more seating that is unforgettably cozy.

What does summertime mean?

Summertime means there are more hours in the day, so make the most of them! Enjoy time with friends and family by throwing an unforgettable summer dinner party. By Brandi Dye. Updated June 07, 2021.

Can you serve beer with gluten?

If you serve beer, make sure to have a cider alternative for your guests who go gluten-free, and try making one or two of our favorite gluten-free recipes. Be sure your summer dinner party menu includes meatless options for vegetarians.

What to Serve as Food at the Party

The food table is the focal point of any party, so it is important to make sure that you have the right kind of food and enough of it. The following are some tips for what to serve at a summer party.

How To Keep Your Guests Happy And Entertained All Day Long

There are many ways to keep your guests entertained at large events. One of the best ways is to provide a variety of activities for your guests to partake in, such as a cocktail making station or a photo booth. You could also have pipes and cigars as well as snacks around too for guests to pick at before the food comes out.

How To Throw an Outdoor Summer Party Without Breaking the Bank

It’s summer and there is no better time to throw an outdoor party. But, before you start thinking about the food, drinks, music and decorations, it’s important to know that you don’t need to break the bank in order to throw a great party. Here are some ways you can plan your outdoor summer party on a budget:

How To Prepare For The Actual Day Of the Party

Some people are more than ready for the party. They have their outfits picked out and they know exactly what to do once they get there. But for others, this is a tough question. The first thing you should do is decide what you want to wear.