Tag: hosting

Ten Ways to Throw the Best Labor Day Party EVER

Summer where are you going?!! While the end of our favorite season may be coming to an end, that’s all the more reason to enjoy one last summer party of the season. In Southern California that doesn’t really mean putting away the grill, but even here lots of us like to get one last cookout in before fall hits.

In honor of Labor Day, we can’t think of anything more appropriate than a backyard BBQ and Pool party. Gather the friends and fam, while putting these 10 DIYs to use for the most unforgettable party of the season.

 

Pick a Theme 
Labor Day weekend is a popular weekend for cookouts, weekend getaways and pool parties. To celebrate these last few days of summer, start planning a theme for your Labor Day party.

 

Labor Day is about celebrating patriotism and having a theme can help highlight all things American.

 

Whiteout themed party: For those of you who are unaware of the Labor Day white rule, it goes like this: you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day. Some people believe that this rule applies primarily to white shoes and others believe that all white items are a faux pas after Labor Day. A lot of people ignore the rule completely. Wherever you fall in the “no white after Labor Day” spectrum, a Whiteout party is a great way to poke a little fun at “the rules.” Ask your guests to wear as much white as possible and have fun with this party theme yourself. You could incorporate white into your decorations and party menu as well!

 
Red, White, and Blue party: Ask everyone to wear red, white, and blue! Incorporate the colors of the flag and use the theme in your decorations as well by having American flags, stars and stripes, and the colors displayed throughout the party space.

 

DIY Labor Day Ideas 

 

1. Summer Fruit Kabobs : This weekend-Summer ain’t over! A fruit garland kabob will be a fun addition to your outdoor party scene.

 

2. Pool Party Movie Night: Set up your very own outdoor movie theater and entertain guests with a fun summer movie.

 

3. Watermelon on a Stick: Labor Day is synonymous with the end of summer and summer is synonymous with watermelon…

 

4. DIY Pineapple Table Runner: Yup, it’s happening. A DIY pineapple tablescape is pretty much inevitable since we still can’t get pineapples off our mind.

 

5.  Fruit Ice Cubes: For a backyard party, these fruit ice cubes will be a colorful way to add some flair to everyone’s drink of choice.

 

6.  Veggie Sliders Party: It’s not a BBQ party unless sliders are involved! The best thing about these vegetarian bite-sized veggie burgers is that they can be customized with all different kinds of toppings and sauces. Make sure guests come with an appetite.

 

7. Tomato, mozzarella and basil skewers: Take full advantage of your Labor Day party to serve lots of grilled dishes. Some great ideas for your Labor Day party menu.

 

8. Make-your-own ice cream sundaes: Plan to roast s’mores, give them jars to catch fireflies, or set up a Make-your-own ice cream sundaes with a variety of flavors and toppings.

 

9. Seasonal Fruit Pies: Saying goodbye to grilling weather also means saying goodbye to summer fruit, so Labor Day is the time to get in one last cherry pie, blackberry cobbler, or strawberry ice cream. If you have been spending too much time thinking about the homemade pie seasonal fruit pies, simple strawberry shortcakes, or an effortless angel food cake is a great way to celebrate the end of summer.

10. Summer Strawberry Pie: When we are in the mood for pie, usually we gravitate towards this ultra-summery pie. The filling is made of strawberry puree, macerated berries which gets poured into a simple graham cracker crust. This preserves the fresh flavor of the fruit. If you want the flavors of a traditional cooked pie without having to deal with a crust then cobblers would be the next best choice. Fruit filling covered with a biscuit crust. Cobbler is filled with blackberries, raspberries, and a pinch of cinnamon. The raspberries are there mostly to help round out the flavor of sour blackberries, so you can use 100% blackberries if they are sweet enough.

 

Decorate for the Occasion

Present and display fun, festive, and casual decorations for Labor Day parties. Use the colors red, white, and blue as a guideline for party accessories, balloons, plates, cups, and everything else you think of for decoration. Aside from focusing on the American aspect of the holiday also tie in some classic Picnic decor such as rustic centerpieces filled with seasonal flowers and classic picnic table covers over each tabletop. You could also finalize your decorations with lighting to create a wonderful ambiance. Lanterns or tiki torchlight’s are perfect for any outdoor party.

Stay relaxed while you entertain on this three day weekend! Happy Labor Day

love, #krishna

 

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Easter Party Ideas 

Spring is the prime time to enjoy what Mother Nature gave us, starting with some of the freshest and most flavorful fruits and vegetables available for the season. 

Easter parties are one of the Spring’s first opportunities for an outdoor party. Easter is also a great time to celebrate family traditions or make some of your own, new traditions.

If you’re in charge of hosting an Easter party this year, we have a few party tip suggestions for the perfect party plan for your friends and family! 

Decorate with Bright Colors 

Although Easter colors typically include pastels, such as light pink, baby blue and light yellow, your party decorations do not have to follow this color palette. Using one bright bold Spring color, like hot pink, makes an energized, non-traditional color palette. If you have   kids, they will excitingly want to dye Easter eggs in the days leading up to Easter. Stick with their enthusiasm and have them prepare some dyeable ceramic, or other non-perishable, eggs before the party. You will be able to use these eggs to decorate your house before the party and they can be used for a fun Easter Egg Hunt. 

  
Host It Potluck Style 


You can always count on family to help out with food for events! Instead of trying to prepare the entire meal, accept your family’s offer to add to the abundance of delicious dishes to help out. One way to successfully host a pot luck style meal is to provide the main course and drinks. Guests can then bring salads, side items, and desserts. Some of the stress of preparing a large meal will be off you and guests will get to enjoy family member’s special dishes.

Easter Egg Hunt 


These Easter-themed games turn the holiday into a good old fashioned field day! Everybody loves an Easter egg hunt, but they really only last a couple hours before the kids are in need of another form of entertainment — not to mention some physical activity to burn off all the sugar from the candy available  during the hunt. This Easter Sunday consider starting a new tradition by hosting a backyard Easter party/field day filling eggs with fun prizes, like stickers, movie tickets, or even cash! These fun games will ensure everyone (including the adults) will be having a blast until the sun goes down. 

Kids always love a good old-fashioned sack race. Call it a bunny hop race and give each child an old pillowcase or sack to hop in.

Print out a big picture of Peter Rabbit and hang it on the wall to play the Easter twist of the classic party game. Pin the Tail on The Rabbit. 

Happy Easter weekend 

love, #krishna 

Holiday Appetizer Recipe

Appetizers are a must for any get-together, especially a holiday get-together! These vegetarian appetizers are quick and easy to prepare so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests.

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Tomato-Avocado Toasts. Mashed avocado and tomatoes make a colorful, delicious holiday appetizer!

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To the Holidays,

Kelly Krishna Dunn