How to Host a Backyard Labor Day Soiree
In the spirit of Labor Day, ditch (any type of) work, kick up your heels and relax in your backyard oasis—poolside. You deserve it. And why not invite friends and family to celebrate the three-day weekend with you? It’s not too late to plan a Labor Day extravaganza with these last-minute party planning tips and backyard ideas.
Theme Your Event
Add fun flair to your Labor Day extravaganza with any of the following end-of-summer themes:
Back-to-school Backyard Barbeque: Celebrate back-to-school season with a school-spirited soiree. Kids can excite over the new school year as parents relive the “good ‘ole days.” Invite parents to proudly wear a T-shirt of their alma mater for a throwback to those special college memories. Don’t forget to designate a grill master for flipping burgers and grilling hot dogs!
Neighborhood Block Party: Get festive with an old-fashioned neighborhood block party. Plan a day and night open-house style event so families can come and go as they please. A potluck is also a great way to swap recipes and socialize with neighbors you have yet to get know. Activities like a scavenger hunt, karaoke and bocce can keep guests mingling and entertained.
Beach Cookout: Didn’t make it to the beach this summer? Then bring the beach to you! Throw beach balls into the pool and get the fire pit ready for making bonfire s’mores once the sun sets. For sea-inspired ambience, use seashells and sand in buckets as table centerpieces and serve to-die-for lime grilled fish tacos.
Sharpen Your Mixology Skills
Kick off the start of fall with delicious drinks (and adult beverages!) as you and your guests soak in the last sweet moments of summertime. Mix tasty cocktail and non-alcoholic recipes to refresh the palate and get the party going. For a boozy bash, serve up the following:
Pineapple and mango rum cocktail with fresh cubed mangoes and pineapple juice
Watermelon mojito garnished with mint leaves and watermelon wedges
White Strawberry Lemon Sangria spiked with white rum and white wine
Tequila-soaked watermelon slices sprinkled with coarse salt and spritzed with zesty lime
You can’t forget about your beer drinkers. Throw craft beer bottles into a recycled old-fashioned wheelbarrow or large vintage metal gardening containers, and invite your guests to help themselves. Cheers!
And for the kiddos? The little ones will love to quench their thirst and sip these yummy mocktails:
Sparkling Limemade
Strawberry Basil Soda
Apple Spritzer
Passion Fruit Cooler
Put on Your Chef’s Hat
Complement your craft beer, homemade mocktails and boozy beverages with a buffet of comfort and finger foods, sweet treats and snacks. Invite your guests to bring their favorite dishes, designating each guest to a specific category. Check out the following fare to inspire your party menu:
Appetizers: Bacon-wrapped buffalo chicken bites, PHILLY tomato-basil dip, burger sliders
Sides: Lobster mac and cheese, zucchini fries , loaded potato skins
Dessert: Sea salt chocolate chip cookies, three-layer berry and vanilla cream trifle, s’mores dip with graham crackers
Snacks (for post late-night swims!): Pizza monkey bread, Muddie Buddies, chips and homemade guac
Set the Mood
After the sun sets, create the perfect ambience for dusk with strewn twinkle lights, glowing Chinese paper lanterns for pops of color and floating LED pool lights. Special outdoor lighting turns your daytime pool party into a laid-back after-party full of charm and whimsy. Lighting tealight candles on your patio table can also enhance the moodiness.
Use Spotify and a portable Bluetooth speaker to play favorite tunes from a goodbye summer anthem playlist. Summer classics like jams from Jack Johnson and Jimmy Buffet will make your last carefree night of the summer unforgettable.
Does your pool need sprucing up before the festivities begin? Contact us, we can help!
