Are you looking for easy ways on how to throw a summer party for you and your friends?
Summer is almost here and I’ma itchin to throw a party!
Not the fussy kind like Easter and Christmas where you lay out all the good china and cloth napkins.
I mean the kind of party like the 4th of July with paper plates, watermelon, and homemade potato salad!
I also, love playing a low-key game of cornhole and just enjoying the company of friends.
Some of my best parties have been no-fuss, backyard summer parties.
Here are my top entertaining ideas for this type of party.
First off, nothing is cuter than watermelon served on this sweet 3 tier serving tray.
Paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware are a must.
Plastic table coverings are also a requirement for a no-fuss party.
This way you can leave all the tableware on the table, wrap it all up in the tablecloth, and throw it in the trash!
Presto! The clean-up is done!!!
drinks
We usually ask guests to bring what they want to drink.
This way you won’t have a ton of leftover liquids in the fridge that nobody in your family drinks.
You could have lemonade, sweet tea, or flavor-infused water on hand for those guests who would like something a little different from the norm.
We do not normally serve alcohol at our parties. We like our fun to happen organically and not “enhanced” so to speak.
It is perfectly fine for guests to bring their own.
We do like to have a cocktail now and then, but nothing spoils a party faster than when you have to tell guests that they have had enough.
Even worse, if someone decides to drink and drive.
If you do decide to serve alcohol, be prepared to offer lodging for the night if someone “over-does it.”
lighting
Do you want your guests to stay past dark?
If not, skip the lighting and they will leave.
But, if you like that after-dark, twinkle-light kind of conversation, then lighting is a must!
I use white Christmas lights around the screening of our pool cage.
It’s just the right amount of lighting and it feels so cozy.
No screening? How about stringing lights in the trees or around the back of your home?
This string of paper lanterns could be just the thing to add ambiance to your party!
I also like candles all around if electricity isn’t an option.
I use battery operated candles mostly.
The newer ones flicker just like the real deal, but no one can get burned if they get too close.
Mine are activated by remote control and have a timer setting if you forget to turn them off. Bonus!
After dinner is done and everyone is feeling relaxed, bring out a dessert Charcuterie board of hand-held munchies.
This keeps guests around a little longer.
And who doesn’t like fruit, chocolate, and oven-roasted marshmallows while watching fireflies?!
— Danielle
