Decorations and food and games, oh my! Celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of fall with one last big, outdoor party!
As the end of another summer season nears everyone is scrambling to spend those last precious moments outside. Throwing one last big barbecue is a great idea while welcoming fall but still celebrating the last days of summer and Labor Day weekend.
TABLE SETTING
Since this is still an outdoor barbecue then the table settings don’t have to be fancy, just festive. For a fun and edible centerpiece use a clear serving bowl full of peaches or nectarines. They’re fall colored but taste like summer.
If the feeling of the barbecue is very casual then paper plates can be used. Most stores sell paper plates in many colors along with napkins, cups, plastic utensils, etc. Mix and match these items for a fall feel with summer colors. For example, yellow plates say summer but yellow plates with pumpkin colored napkins and black plastic utensils give the darker colors needed to invoke feelings of fall.
Fake leaves or fake ice cubes can be bought at any party novelty store and whatever the host is feeling, summer of fall, one of these items, or both, can be sprinkled over the table or the buffet or the bar.
OUTDOOR DÉCOR
If the host has a banister or railing in the back yard he or she could decorate it with flower arrangements wrapped in large leaves. These are simple to make. Take a large leaf, either fake or real, and wrap it around three or four gerbera daisies in fall colors like orange, red and yellow and fasten it with some straw that can be bought at a craft store or hot glue. Punch a hole in the top of the leaf and secure it to the railing or banister with more straw or even fishing line.
Lighting is also very important. In honor of summer, tiki torches can be placed in the grass and lit with citronella oil to keep the bugs away. Paper lanterns or garden lights also make great ambiance after it starts to get dim outside.
FOOD
Typical barbecue food applies, whatever that is for each host and accumulation of guests. Some Labor Day favorites include teriyaki burgers, grilled pineapple, baked potatoes, grilled corn, and a fresh summer salad while the vegetables are still in season. BBQ chicken is also nice for people who don’t want hamburgers and hot dogs are always a favorite.
Cold iced tea would be nice on a hot, early September evening. A nice way to display iced tea would be in a clear, glass pitcher with peach slices in it. Another fun thing to do with the tea, but is a little more time consuming, is freezing different flavors in ice. This would include mint leaves, raspberries, strawberry slices and peach slices. These cubes look very neat and when they start to melt in the iced tea the person drinking will get a little bit of extra flavor.
GAMES
While the weather still allows it, play as many outdoor games as possible. Some summer favorites include bocce ball, badminton, wiffle ball, croquet, and volleyball.
Enjoy the end of summer and help welcome fall!
