It’s the perfect time of year for entertaining outdoors. It’s a great time for friends, family, and neighbors to get together and not worry about how long the party goes. If you want to create those special memories that last a lifetime, try one of these Fresh Ideas for your next Summer Backyard Bash.
Shakespeare Jaunt – if you want the outdoor feel, but don’t want the catering and cleanup, try a field trip. You can host an entourage of friends at Shakespeare in the Park, an outdoor concert, or a day trip to your local vineyard. Just make sure your picnic baskets are well stocked!
Grill-off Challenge – Do you have a friend or neighbor that thinks he/she grills a better burger? Challenge them to a good-natured cook-off, and let the guests decide. If you need a great burger recipe, check out the Alder Planked Burger with Bacon and Provolone. Whoever loses, hosts the next cook-off party. Don’t forget the ballots!
Hollywood or Literary-themed Party – Pick your favorite book or movie, and let it be your guide. If you don’t feel like trying hoop skirts for Gone With the Wind, try Alice in Wonderland or James Bond. Choose the menu based on your theme and encourage guests to “play their parts” with a costume contest. To re-create the drive-in movie feel, set up an outdoor theater in your own backyard. Don’t forget the movie party printables and the popcorn!
Fresh Produce Potluck – Have overflow from your vegetable garden, farmers’ market, or CSA purchase? Create a unique fresh produce dish and invite your neighbors to do the same. Everyone shares his or her own dish and meat for the grill. If they all bring printed copies of their recipes, your guests can swap and go home with lots of new ideas for their summer menus. If you swap the extra vegetables, everyone will go home happy and healthy.
Garden Tea Party – Forget the hot tea and brew different kinds of sun tea for your guests to try. You can infuse different flavors including lemon, mint, ginger, or whatever else you can imagine. With some fruit kebabs and Curry Cucumber Finger Sandwiches, everyone will feel pampered at your Garden Tea Party.
Seafood Party – Bring the flavors of the beach to your backyard. You can steam mussels, clams, crawfish, whatever you like. Try Charlie Palmer’s Bacon-Wrapped Scallops on the grill for that extra special touch. If you really want a fresh factor that will impress your guests, toss out a kiddie pool filled with fresh lobsters and let guests pick out one for their plates.
Hoedown/Jamboree – Miss the CMAs? Try a country-western-themed party. With some bales of hay from a local farmer, mason jars, and bandanas, your décor will be complete. If you have a flat space in the yard, why not try some square or line dancing? You can borrow music CDs from your local library or hire someone to “call” your dance. Or if you have musically inclined friends, invite everyone to bring their guitars for an old-fashioned “Guitar Pull” around the fire.
Fake Out Camp Out – Want to give the kids a camping experience and still have access to your own bathroom? Set up the tents in the backyard. Cook hobo dinners in the fire pit, and let guests create gourmet s’mores by providing all different kinds of chocolate. To top off the night, create your own fireflies by making glow bubbles.
