Outdoor summer party essentials include comfortable seating in the shade and a back-up seating area in case of rain. Also, tasty refreshments including plenty of water and non-alcoholic beverages are important to keep everyone hydrated. Music (an iPod and speakers will do), lawn games…don’t forget the children too!
Set the tone with a clever invitation. Try recycled seed packets—slice down one side, top and bottom and open to form a card. Paper with seeds pressed in for guests to plant at their own houses are good, too.
Try a summery place setting, something fun from the farmer’s market. Each guest can have a different fruit or veggie—a bundle of string beans, a fairytale eggplant, a bunch of crabapples— with their name card pinned in.
Put your party “over the top.” Try a theme—encourage guests to dress in costume. Or, coordinate a progressive food experience starting with a signature cocktail and ending with an indulgent dessert. Live entertainment can do the trick too—just remember to invite the neighbors if you plan to frolic into the wee hours.
Get guests mingling. Start with a simple game: croquet or bouche (passing the orange with no hands). Or, a do-it-yourself specialty cocktail bar where guests have their choice of infused vodkas, herbs and juices, promotes conversation—“What are you having?” If you want to do this without alcohol, try it with snacks instead.
Set the mood of a nighttime soiree with creative lighting. Try lanterns, torches or solar Asian lamps hanging from the trees.
Don’t stress out and forget to enjoy the party. A harried host is no fun. If party planning and logistics are overwhelming, remember a potluck and BYOB can be as enjoyable as a catered affair with a full bar—gathering together and sharing good times with friends is the point. —M.L.
