September 01, 2020
We may be edging closer and closer to Thanksgiving… but summer isn’t over just yet!
Before school starts properly, before work is back in full swing, and before routines return to normal, it’s time to give yourself one last chance to really kick back and have fun. Labor Day is the perfect opportunity, so why not throw a Labor Day party at home?
So what’s the secret to a fun, laid back Labor Day party? Getting the hard work out of the way before the big day, ensuring all you have to do is relax and mingle with friends.
Here are some great pre-planning tips to help everything go smoothly…
Whipping up your perfect party playlist is something that’s easily done ahead of time. A good playlist should keep you going all day, but you’re going to need a bit of a change of pace once the sun starts setting. A movie night is a great idea, so don’t forget to make sure your backyard TV lift furniture is ready to pop up into action.
Partying is thirsty work, especially at the tail end of summer when those hot humid fronts begin to roll in. Making sure you have everything you need – from sodas and juices to wines, beers, and spirits – is essential. And if you really want to stay relaxed on the day, consider an outdoor movable serving bar so that guests can easily help themselves.
There’s nothing worse than getting caught in a queue at the register when you’ve got guests about to arrive. So instead of going through the stress of shopping, why not order your groceries online a few days before, and have them delivered right to your door? You’ll avoid the crowds at the store, and you’ll have more time for prepping your apps.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to prep all your dishes on the morning of the party. Many refrigerated dips, like hummus and ranch, and cold serve apps like pasta salad and tortilla pinwheels, can easily be prepared the day before and kept chilled until needed. You can even pre-prepare some hot dishes, and warm them up just before serving.
Imagine popping open the grill ready to feed a bunch of hungry guests only to find it’s not ready to be used. It’s worth taking some time before the party to give your backyard BBQ a good clean. Outdoor grills are perfect for Labor Day parties – simply batch cook a load of burgers and hot dogs and set up a burger and dogs bar so guests can make their own.
One vital aspect of Labor Day party prep in the ‘new normal’ is to make sure you have plenty of disposables. Normally, you might choose to use your normal crockery, but single use items are a great way to boost hygiene. Environmentally-friendly cardboard plates and bamboo forks are ideal. And don’t forget a few hand sanitizers, too.
Labor Day is nearly upon us, so make sure you’re ready to wow your guests, and have a great time yourself, by doing a bit of simple prep work to create a great atmosphere.
