How to Stimulate the Five Senses of Summer

Every good party stimulates the 5 senses. So when you're stuck on setting the tone for a summer get-together, make sure you have them all covered. Sight: The host should look hot and the place should look ready to party. Sound: Music makes the world go 'round and the party rock, so plan the tunes. Don't leave it to the fate of what's on the radio. Taste: Cocktails and nibbles rule! Plan the bar as carefully as you plan the food menu. Write up the bar menu so everyone knows what the special of the day is. Touch: Create an atmosphere that's ripe for flirting and dancing. Give guests excuses to chat each other up, like a self-service bar. "Can I make you a Fuzzy Navel?" Smell: Ever walk into a room and melt over the smell of bread or cookies baking? Same concept, but go for fresh scents and oils. Place bowls of mints around for fresh breath.

Things You'll Need

• Granite tiles, 2 ice cream spades, ice cream, mixers, bowls, spoons
• Frame, foam core, easel, lipstick, pens
• Half barrels, ribbons
• Summer-scented spray for invites
• Folding tables, linens, sign, cups, lemonade, jar with a spigot
• Tables, burlap, crates, fresh fruit, pies, note cards for judging, pens, prize ribbons
• Crepe station ingredients

Instructions

1. Make invitations. After printing the invites, spray them with a scent that reminds you of summer. Then write something like, "Join us for the 5 Senses of Summer garden party at our place. There will be lots of dancing, eating, drinking, and even a pie bake-off! It's all happening on [insert time, date, location, and RSVP contact information]."

2. Set up your bar like a homemade lemonade stand. Arrange a small folding table covered with colored linens (bandanas glued or sewed together) and hang a handwritten sign from two posts. Make your cocktails in clear glass jugs with spigots for easy dispensing.

3. Compete in a pie bake-off. Invite your guests to bring their favorite homemade pie. Place the entries on a table covered with burlap and bushels, crates or baskets filled with whole fresh fruits. Pick a judge to sample the entries and award ribbons to the top 3.

4. Serve a savory summer crepe. Create an interactive menu like a crepe station. They're perfect because they can be sweet or savory. Start with a crepe maker, then fill bowls with your favorite fillings and let guests create their own masterpieces.

5. Cool off and satisfy a sweet tooth. Make your own Cold Stone ice cream at home. Buy a kit or get granite tiles (have a few so you can switch them out during the party), ice cream spades, ice cream, and mixers (fresh fruit, candy bars, sprinkles, and such).

6. Sit out in the shade. Place half-barrels in the shade of a couple of trees. Tie ribbon around the tree trunks to designate your seating areas and watch the sun dance through the leaves.

7. Seal it with a kissing booth. No, this is not what you think! Instead of a guestbook, prop up a framed piece of foam core on an easel alongside a supply of lipstick and pens in different shades. Invite the women to leave their lip prints and the men to sign their names.

Tips & Warnings

• With all the tasting, touching and smelling, make sure you have plenty of towels (wet and dry) for guests to wipe their hands and faces on.