Temperatures are rising and with kids out of school, so is the need for a change of pace. Save money and avoid the stress of a traditional family vacation by enjoying a “staycation” this summer with your family. Hosting a backyard BBQ or budget-friendly summer party with friends is a great way to escape without leaving your home. These top six entertaining must-haves will ensure the perfect backyard getaway. Click below for a guide to summer entertaining!
Summer Entertaining Checklist
Plan Ahead
Think like a party planner by creating a party checklist and check things off as you complete them. The key is to prepare as much in advance as possible. For example, marinate meat a few days before the party and store in the freezer, rearrange furniture if necessary, and prepare decorations ahead of time. The more work done in advance, the less last-minute aggravation.
Design and Decor
Pick your theme and let your creative juices flow – from a patriotic party to a summer luau – then transform your space into the perfect getaway. Have fun with outdoor spaces by using bright colors, cheerful paper lanterns and hanging fans to capture the summer breeze. For an eye-catching centerpiece, take yellow paper lanterns and fill with blue and fuchsia daisies.
Flavorful Food
Summer parties aren’t defined by five-course meals. Keep stress at bay with simple yet interesting food choices. Start with healthy hors d’oeuvers like spinach phyllo roll-ups. Then heat up the grill. The main course should be simple but tasty – burgers and brats never get old. Spice them up with decadent add-ons like melted brie, grilled pineapple or roasted red peppers. Check out our grilling infographic for tips to grill like a pro.
The Signature Drink
Signature drinks have become party staples, so use the party theme as inspiration to transform a traditional drink into a signature one. It’s as simple as putting a new twist on a classic drink. Like margaritas? Add strawberry or blueberries to create a Fireworks-ita to celebrate the 4th of July in style. Don’t forget to garnish. Cheers!
Sweet Endings
Top off a great meal with a delicious dessert station, letting guests create their own sweet treats. Have a fire pit? That’s perfect for a s’mores station — it’s a fun, nostalgic conversation starter. An ice cream sundae station with tons of toppings also does the trick.
Playtime
Summer games are always a hit. Choose something simple yet fun and help guests work off their delicious meal. A good game of croquet or a beanbag toss competition will get people moving, laughing and having fun.
What are some of your favorite summer entertainment tips? Do you have a themed party you look forward to hosting in the summer?
Christine is the Content Marketing Coordinator for Homes.com. She's a small town girl at heart, who currently lives in Norfolk, VA with her husband and their fur baby. When she's not working, she enjoys cooking, decorating, traveling, and binge watching Netflix. As a proud Virginia Tech alum, she also loves cheering on the Hokies!
