A summer party should be something that everyone can savor,
even the hosts. Here are a few tips to simplify your fun so that you can spend
time with your guests, not serving them, and encourage everyone to relax and
enjoy.
Choose foods that can
be prepared in advanced.
This is a
fairly obvious tip. If you are able to just put out your fares with little
effort, you will not have to focus so much on them. Also remember that people are there to see you,
not go to a gourmet restaurant. Do not create such an elaborate menu that you
stress for weeks ahead of time. This does not mean that you have to pick boring
foods. Here are a few suggestions that can be done in advanced, but that may
add a little originality to your event.
Kabobs
– This is something that you can make as elaborate or as simple as you
want. You can use chicken for the kids or make this version with steak and
shrimp for a fancier version. Be
creative!
Fixings
– You can serve simple grilled chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs but add
fun toppings like chili, sauces, unique cheeses, avocado and a variety of
veggies. Think things like gorgonzola
and brie, banana peppers and sautéed onions, BBQ sauce and spicy mustard. You can create a platter in the morning
before the event. You can even use
pictures from a burger place for inspiration, like this one from Red Robin. As a bonus, this will also allow for some
foods that are both kid and adult friendly.
Salads
– Now, I am not talking about your typical green salad. Although that is an option, you can also think broader. Think pasta salads, veggie salads and potato
salads. There are a plethora on the
internet but here are a few of my favorites!
- Mozzarella
and Tomato Salad – I do not have a link for this one, but it’s pretty
simple. Just throw together some mozzarella and tomato with some fresh basil
and balsamic and there you have it. You can add salt and pepper to taste
if you feel so inclined.
Chips – I know, I know, too
simple right? No! Whenever I have chips out they get gobbled up. People like finger
foods, especially kids. While you are at
it, grab some pretzels. People like those too. Want to make them more creative?
Try a dip like this one or grab some at the store and put them in bowl.
Fruit
salad or kabobs – Again, I know this is simple, but who does not love fresh
fruit on a hot summer day? You can make a simple salad or get creative my
making them into kabobs for an easy to eat version. Either one can be prepared ahead of time as
long as you cover and refrigerate just remember to stay away from fruits that
will brown, such as apples, unless you treat them.
Cookie
and Brownies – I am not suggesting that you forgo your famous lemon icebox
pie or your grandmother’s apple pie recipe that people have learned to expect. I encourage multiple desserts. I mean who doesn’t love
a dessert? However, I learned from watching a few parties at my sister’s house
that people love grab and go foods, especially after they have eaten and have
moved on to mingling. For this reason, I recommend making some cookies or
brownies that can be made ahead of time and can be grabbed easily.
Think about your
set-up.
Look at your space and try
to encourage people to mingle while making things easy to get to and being
practical.
Where do you want the
cook-out? What I mean is, do you want people in your home? If so, welcome
them in and create a party environment with various seating groups. If you do
not, make it clear with seating and signage. Create a cute sign in the front
yard that says, “Party in the back” if that is where you want people to go.
Make sure to have an arrow pointing them where to go. Also, make sure to have
plenty of outdoor seating and tables for people to eat and relax. Most guests will not want to stand all day
and will either leave or retreat your living room if there is not another
option.
Set up a Drink Station – It makes
things easy when people know where to look for things. If you are having
lemonade, tea or soda in a large bottle or pitcher set up a table with cups, ice
and beverages. If you will have coolers, label them clearly (especially when having alcohol) and remember to have
ice separate. People do not want a drink with ice that has had everyone's hands
in it. Also, by providing ice in a
cooler you do not have to worry about keeping your drinks chilled which will
give you more time for fun.
Place
the grill AT the party – Do not put the grill so far way that your grill
master is secluded. While you do not want a grill that may give off smoke to be
in the middle of the main event, it can be right on the periphery in a place
that people can mingle with your chef.
Don’t
seclude your game players. If you will have games like horse shoes, bocce
or corn hole, try to place them in a safe place that is somewhat near the food. People may forgo the games if they have to
walk to the front of the yard and leave the party. Also, by playing games where people can see
them you create a spectator sport which can create a lot of fun. If you have a larger game like volleyball or badminton
and can’t fit it near the food, remember to encourage people to play. You can
even create a tournament if you have competitive friends and enough interest.
Consider
kids – If you will be inviting small kids, remember to have things for them in a
place where their parents can watch them.
If the adults are expected to be in the backyard, set up a sandbox or a
water table in plain view from the tables. If you have a playground or swing
set, set up some chairs where parents can chat with each other and still keep an
eye on their kids. If you have a
driveway, move the cars out of it and buy some chalk for kids to play with.
Again, remember to place some adult seating nearby. If it is hot and you are daring, you could even
set up some water balloons or water gun. Hey, the parents might even get into
that fun.
A Few Last Tips
Keep perishable food on
ice – Remember to keep your salads and other perishables on ice. They make
cute little blow-ups for this, but you can also just nest two bowls with ice. If you make a large amount of something,
put it in two or three smaller containers and refill. I know this makes it harder as a host, but
refilling smaller amounts will keep things fresher.
Create
a summer fun playlist – Sure Pandora has a summer station, but by creating
your own playlist, you can cater to the party and the guests. You can create a mix with pop for the teens
and oldies for your parents with all of your favorites mixed in. Remember to
keep it light and summery. You can even add summer songs like Under the Boardwalk,
Will Smith’s Summertime and Wipeout by the Beach Boys. Sure they are cheesy,
but it doesn’t mean they are not good songs.
If they are not for you, use something that is. That is the point of a
playlist.
Create
a fun summer drink – If you want to make your party memorable, create a fun
summer mixed drink, shandie or punch that people will talk about.
Don’t
be cheap with the cups and plates – There are many ways to save money when
hosting a party, but plates and cups are not it. Sure, you can find them on
sale, but do not buy anything so cheap that your plates will fold with a good
sized portion on them before your guests get to the table.
Remember, above all, HAVE FUN! It is hard to relax and enjoy
with a stressed host. If you have fun, guests will, too.
If your summer party is around July 4th or
Memorial Day, here are some festive foods for your menu!
