ATH: Fill a raft with ice, invite friends over, and throw a party!
By Jennifer Kneuss
May 25, 2011
291
Summary:
Hot days and warm, sultry nights provide the perfect setting for throwing impromptu parties and celebrating summer with friends. Check out our quick and easy – as well as inexpensive – entertaining ideas!
Summer is the perfect time to throw an impromptu party in the backyard or on the deck. Forget the glossy magazines depicting expensive decorating themes and exotic foods – instead, try these ideas to take the stress – and expense – out of warm weather get-togethers!
The great outdoors provides a perfect backdrop for any gathering, but if you wish to spruce things up a bit with décor and serving ideas, use common household items to create extra atmosphere. Use Mason jars for multiple uses – wrap sturdy metal wire around the neck of various sized and colored jars, and then add a loop for hanging. Pop in a tea light candle and suspend from surrounding tree branches for a twinkling firefly affect. Also use the jars for flower vases, utensil holders, or fun serving glasses.
For tablecloths, dont waste cash on plastic throw-a-ways. Instead, for a nostalgic country theme, toss an old quilt over a picnic table and add a basket filled with wildflowers for a centerpiece. Shop thrift stores for single sized bedspreads, as these make great, washable tables covers, too. Kids will appreciate a bedspread/tablecloth of their favorite cartoon character. Going this route is environmentally friendly as well.
Keep your eye open for mismatched dishes and inexpensive flatware from auctions or garage sales to use instead of paper products. These add beauty and elegance to an evening party, and there are no worries about an irreplaceable piece being broken, as the supply of these items is endless and cost pennies on the dollar.
Candles are an old stand-by when it comes to adding atmosphere. An outdoor party is a great time to use up those odds and ends from winter and holiday parties. Take the mesmerizing qualities of fire to a higher level with an old-fashioned bonfire, or if space is an issue, try an inexpensive patio chimnea.
Jeannette Meiser shares one of her favorite serving ideas: I love to use an inflatable raft (with sides) for a great cold buffet table. Lay the raft on a tabletop, fill it with ice, and then put your serving containers down into the ice, says Meiser. Everything stays chilled, and it looks great with any sort of summer beach party theme!Dont have a big, sturdy table? Paint two sawhorses and a large piece of plywood in bright summer colors for a temporary table that can serve for other purposes later. Add to the effect by picking up various sizes of new, clean, shiny tin buckets to use as serving pieces. They are deep enough to keep the contents safely about the melting ice, and the smaller ones are great for condiments such as ketchup and mustard. Childrens sand shovels can be used as serving utensils for added effect.
A party might include easy-to-make themed food choices. A South of the Border theme is versatile, and sure to please every palate. Separate containers of seasoned ground beef, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, onions, beans, olives, and other similar foods are displayed smorgasbord style, with tortilla wraps and taco shells arranged around the rim of large sombreros for make-it-yourself taco or regular salads, tacos, burritos, and other delicious combinations. Or try a sundae party, where you provide the homemade ice cream and guests each bring their favorite toppings to share. You can even give out awards for the most creative banana splits!
Meiser also suggests doing pizza on the grill, and including favorite toppings such as grilled zucchini or eggplant.
Summer parties are a great opportunity to smoke fish, put out some nice green salads, cold soups – try something different like a cold onion or cucumber soup, or gazpacho things like that, suggests chef Cameron Krahel. Its a great time to so some room temperature dishes – like making a beef tenderloin, marinating it and slicing it, then putting herbs over it. Its great to put on crackers and on bruschetta.
Krahel notes that low cost options include pasta and potato salads with a twist.
I like to grill the potatoes first for grilled potato salad. Write down the recipe, then play around with the ingredients, says Krahel. Do what you like.
Whatever you choose, relax and dont stress out about throwing a perfect party. Summer is about fun, and the hosts should be able to relax and have as much fun as their guests!
