Just thought I'd share some party ideas to help you end your summer in style! The following are ways to elevate the usual backyard BBQ to a memorable celebration:
1. It's all about the lighting. Hang twinkle lights or yard lanterns to create a more intimate environment. You could also line walkways with home-made luminarias (How? Fill paper bags with sand and secure a small votive candle in the center. Sounds easy enough, right?).
2. Setup classic outdoor games for the kids. No, you don't need to go buy pricey bocce ball or croquette sets. Instead, make a home-made tic-tac-toe board by making grids with rope and using common items for the X's and O's. The kids will love this!
3. De-bug your outdoor area. Provide guests with bug spray and scatter citronella candles to fight off those pesty mosquitos.
4. Offer guests a few 'clever comforts.' Set out buckets with dollar-store sunglasses, bottles of sunscreen, and hats to combat the sun (idea courtesy of Katie Brown).
5. Setup a cocktail stand with summer drinks or a refreshing punch. Want to be even more creative? Turn a watermelon into a cocktail keg. Here's how:
- Cut the lid from the top & scoop out the fruit.
- Drill a small hole near the bottom and use a knife to widen the hole until it's slightly smaller than a keg shank.
- Attach the shank and prepare a batch of refreshing watermelon sours by doing the following:
- Puree 4 cups of watermelon chunks & strain.
- Stir in 4 ounces of Alize Red Passion, 8 oz. of gin, & 2 cups of sour mix. Chill mixture and pour into melon shell.
- Add sparkling rose before serving and garnish with lime.
[Makes 10 to 12 drinks.]
6. What would a summer bash be without some chips & quac? Here's Rachel Ray's 'Holy Guacamole' recipe... it's nummy!
2 to 3 avocados
1 juiced lemon
1 large clove of minced garlic
1 to 2 small plum tomatos
1/2 of a small onion
1 tsp. of coarse salt
1 finely chopped jalopeno (optional)
Mix & mash these ingredients and serve with your favorite tortilla chips.
7. Lastly, sit back and soak up one of the last days of summer!
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