How to Throw an End of Summer Party
The end of summer is a time of the year that is often looked on with equal parts sadness and enthusiasm. While the shortening days mean not only the school year is rapidly approaching, in many areas it also means the end of pool parties, summer BBQs and sunbathing.It's also the perfect time to get friends and family together for one last time before everyone gets busy with school and fall activities, and we're going to look at a few things you can do to make it an enjoyable afternoon and evening for everyone. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Fire up the BBQ grill one last time. Summer means the smell of veggies and meat on this grill, so this is a great time to do a whole batch of steaks, burgers, hot dogs and kabobs. No summer party is complete without potato and macaroni salad, baked beans and corn on the cob, so make the last grilled meal of the summer count. Plan for a party that coincides with a preseason football game of your team of choice, and bring a TV outside to gather around, welcoming in the fall football season even as you say goodbye to the bounty of the summer.
-
2
Plan a trip to one of your state parks, especially if no one has room to host a backyard party. This can be a great place for friends and family to get together for one last summer blowout--and best of all, the plates and silverware can all be disposable, and no one has to clean up their house afterwards. Bring all your BBQ supplies, as well as footballs, soccer balls and some baseball equipment. Occupy the youngest members of the family, too. Bring a roll of paper (such as cheap wrapping paper) and some crayons. Challenge them to decorate a summer-themed tablecloth pattern of their own.
-
-
3
Set up a scavenger hunt. This can be great if there's a group of school-age kids in the family. Make the prizes of the scavenger hunt some fun school supplies, such as crayons, markers, pens and pencils.
-
4
Make sure you have some summer recipes for the meal portion of the party, no matter where you choose to have it and what your theme is. A BBQ just says summer, but so does strawberry shortcake, peach cobbler, fresh fruit and corn on the cob. This is the perfect time to try some new recipes or dig out some old favorites that haven't been used in a while.
-
5
Don't forget the decorations. No summer party is complete without some torches and the smell of citronella and sun block.
-
6
Don't forget the games, either. The best ones are those that can only be played during the summer months. Even adults will get into the fun with a water balloon toss and squirt gun tag, along with the more "adult" games such as horseshoes, badminton and bocce.
-
7
Since nightfall is coming earlier and earlier, a great way to end the party is with a bonfire. Put out the tikki torches and light a fire that everyone can sit around and enjoy. If there are some storytellers in your group of family and friends, share some ghost stories while breaking out the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers for s'mores.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Cater your activities to your age group.
To alleviate some of the cost and pressure of putting on the whole event, make the meal a potluck, and encourage people to bring a dessert, salad, side or drinks.
There are few end of summer parties that are complete without some sort of alcoholic beverage, but make sure that everyone involved drinks responsibly. Make sure there are a few partygoers that don't partake in the alcoholic festivities to make sure everything stays under control and everyone remains safe. Plan on having a place for people to stay should they need to spend the night.
