By H. Camille Smith
Long summer days and entertaining go hand-in-hand. After all, we might as well celebrate the extra hours of sunlight by kicking back with a few of our favorite people while enjoying a refreshing cocktail and tasty nibbles. Take your summer soiree from just fun to, ahem, funtastic with these 5 clever ideas.
SET UP A POPCORN BAR
Whether due to food sensitivities or picky palates, serving a crowd-pleasing snack that won’t bust your budget can be tough. Enter the serve-yourself popcorn bar. Lactose- and gluten-free, air-popped popcorn is a low-cal/high-fiber snack that most everyone enjoys. Pair freshly-popped kernels with sweet and savory toppings and let guests help themselves.
TRY BOOZY FROZEN DESSERTS
What would summer be without a frosty frozen dessert? And, what’s a party without a few adult beverages? Combine the two and beat the heat with this refreshing red wine sorbet.
MAKE AN (EASY!) CENTERPIECE
A beautiful centerpiece makes any get-together feel more special, but they can be pricey. No worries, we have 10 ideas for DIY-ing a florist-worthy centerpiece on the cheap, like this bright arrangement featuring wildflowers and citrus slices.
JUST ADD PARTY GAMES
Backyard games are a surefire way to break the ice between guests who may be meeting for the first time. Badminton, croquet, bocce or horseshoes are all safe bets — or, using basic woodworking skills and our instructions, you can turn a wood pallet into a DIY cornhole game.
LEARN TO TAKE YOUR PARTY ANYWHERE
We all equate tailgates with fall football season, but kids’ soccer games and long summer days spent at the beach or lake are equally good times to take the party on the road. Our 10 tips will help you tailgate like an all-star.
For more ways to party like a pro any time of the year, check out our 10 Tips for Easy Entertaining special feature. And, tell us in the comments below, how are you celebrating this summer?
From:: HGTV
