It's summertime now, the sun is shining, gentle breezes are blowing, and the flowers have been in peak bloom for several weeks now. The holidays seem like ages ago, as do memories of stress-filled weeks of gift shopping, wrapping, holiday parties and events. After the hectic holiday season, it feels nice to stay home in late winter and leave the many parties behind. By summertime, however, everyone gets the urge for picnics with friends and family get-togethers, soaking in the beautiful skies and playing in the lush grass.
How do you make your summertime party the event of the season? A few tips will go a long way in ensuring that your guests will remember the day long after the heat of the summer gives way to cool autumn days.
1. Decide on a budget. Often overlooked, your available budget will determine the number of guests you can invite, menu and drink offerings, party themes, location and d�cor. Remember that once you settle on a number you must stick to it.
2. Brainstorm the party theme. Let your imagination run wild and don't limit yourself to summertime themes. Here are a few unique ideas:
a. "Summertime Ski Slope Soiree" if your guests enjoy winter skiing or have never seen snow - create fake "snow". Use your imagination here... maybe it's a kiddie pool filled with a little water and a lot of bubbles/foam, or if it is indoors you have the air conditioning turned up to provide a distinct chill in the air when guests are asked to arrive in their parkas to a warm cup of hot chocolate. Menu items could include hot toddie style drinks, warm appetizers and soups.
b. BBQ King Grill-Off - invite the neighbors and let the guys (or gals) register for a BBQ competition with plenty of spouses and children invited as tasting judges of the anonymous entries. Use fun novelty gifts as "trophies" for the winners, like this cute grill condiment set. The menu becomes easier because the guests do your cooking! Provide accoutrements such as corn on the cob, spicy salsa with chips and margaritas to complete the theme.
c. Beach Bum Bash - although this party would be great with a pool at the party location, adding a kiddie pool or lawn sprinklers would be just as fun, and maybe more entertaining! Instruct guests to bring their bathing suits if they desire, and serve light appetizers of tropical fruit salads and trays of fun serveware, chicken salad wraps and fruity drinks (remember non-alcoholic varieties for the designated driver attendees as well). Fun summertime beach games can be arranged, including volleyball or the limbo.
3. Find your location. If your budget is low, you may not have a choice other than your home... but you can do so much with a little imagination! Change out lightbulbs to colored varieties to add ambience for different themes, use lengths of fabric draped around to provide a feel of "sheers" or "fur" for varying temperatures. Bring in potted flowers or kid toys to coordinate your themes, and search your home for props you may already have.
4. Create a menu. Forget "ham sandwiches" and "pasta salads", and promise yourself that nothing will get added to the menu that doesn't have a fun and memorable name. Think along the lines of "piratey pesto pasta" or "apple blossom marigold cheesecake", "tangy texas tinis" or "ski lift saucy sundaes."
Once you let your imagination take hold, it will be easy to create the memorable party your guests will talk about long after you finish the dishes. Just remember to plan early, create lists to ensure details aren't missed, and cook ahead as much as possible to allow yourself the benefit of sitting back and enjoying the party with your guests.
Pam Anderson
This article is taken from- http://www.dreamsalivemagazine.com/summer2007/plan-summertime-party-guests-remember/index.html
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