Summer Party Time! Celebrate the End of Summer

C360_2013-01-04-07-50-57 by RaeAllen (CC BY 2.0)

Sitting at home waiting for your invite to the summer party of the year? Your wait is over. The bash of the century is happening in your own backyard! With a little imagination, elbow grease and great food you can make a memorable summer party. The secret to an unforgettable summer party is choosing the right theme, of course. A summer party without a theme is like taking a selfie with no camera–awkward. Not to worry, I’ve done a little investigative research to find the best summer party themes for your next shindig! Discover the Gatsby in you and party like it’s 1999.

Hula dancers (Photo by Brian)
Hula dancers (Photo by Brian)

Aloha Summer! Tropical Luau Summer Party

Bright colors, Hawaiian shirts and fruity drinks with mini umbrellas make a luau a classic summer party. Achieve that island style with simple décor like tiki torches and colorful leis for guests. Keep cool with piña coladas and coco locos as refreshments. Don’t forget to roast the pig for dinner or try these great vegetarian BBQ options. Get those grass skirts shaking with some hula dancing and the sweet tunes of a ukulele. A great luau will make guests feel like they’re on their favorite tropical beach.

Summer outdoor fiesta (photo by Stuart Seeger)
Summer outdoor fiesta (photo by Stuart Seeger)

¡Viva la Fiesta! Have an Outdoor Mexican-Style Summer Party

Mexican fiestas are not limited to Cinco de Mayo. The spicy food, bright paper décor and spirited dancing make fiestas fun year round. Supply the mariachi music and margaritas and watch as the mingling turns to dancing. You can easily make the party kid-friendly by adding candy filled piñatas for their entertainment. DIY taco bars are easy to make for such an occasion, but if you’d rather keep the summer party low key, chips and salsa make for great fiesta food.

Tres Chic! Throw a Classic White Summer Party

summer party
white party by skampy (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Bring this stylish tradition of the rich and famous to your backyard with minimal effort.  Whether it’s a Dîner en blanc or a poolside bash, the key to a classic white summer party is the all-white dress code. Letting your guests know beforehand what they should wear creates build-up for your summer party and helps guests feel involved. A classic white summer party is all about staying fresh. Provide cold refreshment and airy lounging areas to create a relaxed environment for mixing.  Grab your white sangria, and dance the night away under the starry summer night sky.

Splish Splash at a Classic Summer Pool Party

Dive in movie screening (photo by Dominic Alves)
Dive in movie screening (photo by Dominic Alves)

Grab your floaties and cannon ball into your summer pool party! Pool parties are a summer icon for adults and kids. Light up your pool and make your summer party the place to be with a live DJ. Swimming makes you hungry fast, so don’t forget to order some poolside snacks. Food trucks are all over the city; why not get one to stop by your poolside summer party? No need sweat in the kitchen cooking. Book your favorite food truck with a food truck catering site like Roaming Hunger and hop in the pool. Decorations can be as easy as colorful beach balls or tea light candles. For a more low key pool party, project your favorite flick outdoors and watch with friends while floating in the pool. The possibilities are endless for your summer party. The most essential part of a great summer party is the fun. Remember to relax and soak up your summer party!

Are you hosting or going to a summer party? Tell me about it in the Comments section!